Community Knowledge Centre - Toronto Community Foundation

About this organization

Mission

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity offering opportunities for personal growth, community involvement and leadership.

Our Vision - Our communities will be home to the healthiest children, teens and young adults.

Our Values - The YMCA of Greater Toronto is guided by values that inform the way we act and the decisions we make:

• Caring

• Health

• Honesty

• Inclusiveness

• Respect

• Responsibility

The YMCA has always grown from within its community and is a reflection of the community itself in diversity and values. The YMCA is an open and inclusive organization and welcomes all without discrimination to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship, creed, religion, age, abilities, sexual orientation or income.

History of Organization

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is part of YMCA Canada. YMCA Canada advocates on behalf of member associations regionally, nationally and internationally. As a federation of 50 YMCAs and 10 YMCA-YWCAs across the country, together they serve 1.8 million people in more than 250 communities across Canada.

1844 – The YMCA is founded in London, England by George Williams as an alternative to the unhealthy social conditions during the Industrial Revolution.

1851 – First YMCA in North America opened in Montreal on November 25.

1910 – First national YMCA swimming program launched.

1959 – The YMCA of Toronto plays a role in development of York University.

1968 – YMCAs and YMCA-YWCAs establish child care programs for working parents.

1984 – YMCA Canada initiates annual program to commemorate YMCA Peace Week.

2006 – The YMCA of Greater Toronto develops the National YMCA Playing to Learn curriculum helping

children up to age 6 in YMCA child care discover learning through creative play.

2008 – Annual YMCA Healthy Kids Day is launched to help families embrace lifelong healthy habits.

2010 – The YMCA of Greater Toronto develops the National YMCA A Place to Connect curriculum helping children five to 12 in YMCA child care expand their learning through choice, physical activity and building relationships.

Accolades and Accomplishments

The YMCA creates places where everyone in our community — of all ages and regardless of their financial situation — have equal access to greater life chances and the ability to achieve their full potential.

At the YMCA:

• Almost 14,000 children are dropped off daily at a YMCA Child Care.

• 7,531 participate in before/after school programs that are proven to help children do better in school.

• 15,677 children are learning to swim.

• 46 youth are welcomed into a safe environment each month, and no longer sleeping on the streets.

• More than 120 people find a job each month. We also registered 13,359 students for summer jobs and helped to place over 9,085 with employers.

• Every day more than 3,208 staff come to work to make a difference.

• Every day our newcomer centres welcome 217 individuals new to Canada in 44 different languages.

When you think of how many lives the YMCA touches, the transformational change we can effect is tremendous. In fact, this year the YMCA reached almost 40,000 more individuals to serve more than 542,000 people across the GTA.

Programs

>YMCA Youth Leader Corps and YMCA Newcomer Youth Leader Corps
>YMCA Academy
>YMCA Hospitality Training Program

Health is about more than our physical well-being. It encompasses all aspects of our lives: physical, mental, emotional and social. It impacts our ability to engage with others and affect society in a positive way. It is the reason the YMCA offers programs and services that promote all facets of health for the total well-being of individuals and our community as a whole.

Our aim is to provide every individual in our community with opportunities for personal growth, community involvement and leadership. The YMCA, in partnership with more than 250 organizations, offers a variety of programs responding to the needs of the community, including employment, education, newcomer programs, youth outreach and intervention, fitness and recreation, child care and camps.

As one of the largest charities in North America, we help more than 500,000 people each year through three core programs:

• YMCA Health, Fitness and Recreation programs help members of our community — regardless of their background or economic circumstances — to live active, meaningful lives.

• YMCA Child and Family programs and YMCA Camps ensure toddlers and school age kids get the child care they need and create memorable camp experiences. These programs also support parents and guardians.

• YMCA Employment programs, Skills Development programs, Youth Support Services, and Newcomer programs provide employment counselling and training, help newcomers settle in Canada, and offer at-risk youth the support they need to survive and thrive.

At YMCA, we take our commitments to the community seriously. We see a day when more people, especially youth, connect with each other, give of themselves, and grow in their sense of purpose and belonging. We envision an inclusive society where everyone, regardless of their background, experiences, or circumstances, participates fully. And we work towards building a community characterized by strong, supportive connections between individuals and among groups.

YMCA Youth Leader Corps and YMCA Newcomer Youth Leader Corps

The YMCA works with the young people of our community to create relevant programs and services that build their sense of identity and confidence as they face the challenges of growing up.

The Youth Leader Corps (YLC) and Newcomer Youth Leader Corps (Newcomer YLC) are designed to help today’s youth become the leaders of tomorrow. Through the YLC programs, these kids are learning that they can make a difference. They’re becoming aware of the social issues facing their communities and are recognizing their capacity for individual impact. By building practical skills, confidence and leadership abilities, YLC programs are shaping the future.

The YLC works with youth between 11 and 24 years old and combines leadership training, teamwork, self-government and volunteer placement to help build confidence — and connections.

The Newcomer YLC reaches out to youth aged 13 to 24 to help them engage in the social, educational and cultural aspects of a new life in Canada. This program helps youth to make new friends, improve their English, learn about Canadian culture and society, gain volunteer hours, and build valuable leadership, teamwork and social skills.

Funding and Program Partners

Sources of funding for YLC/NYLC come from a combination of generous philanthropic support from our community of donors, and government grants. The YMCA currently works with a variety of partners to promote awareness and deliver activities for these initiatives.

Program Impact

More than 1,500 young people actively participate in the YLC at 33 sites across the GTA; in just three years, the NYLC has grown from a small pilot project to reach 300 newcomer youth and their families every year.

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

“One-quarter of Toronto’s youth lack a sense of belonging to their local community, a feeling that increases significantly as they reach young adulthood: Just under 62% of Toronto residents reported feeling a strong or somewhat strong sense of belonging to their local community in 2009 (compared to 65.4% in Canada and down from 65.6% in 2008).”

(Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2010)

Through the YLC and NYLC, we work with the young people of our community to create relevant programs and services that build their sense of identity and confidence as they face the challenges of growing up. We give them that vital sense of belonging.

Participant Vignette

Being a teenager is tough. Being a teenager in a new country is tougher. Watch the video above from one of our newcomer teens to see how the YMCA Newcomer YLC program has helped them belong and thrive.

YMCA Academy

Created to respond to unique learning needs, the YMCA Academy integrates the Ontario Ministry of Education’s high school curriculum with practical life skills. For high school students who are struggling, the YMCA Academy offers individualized education plans and a dedicated, expertly trained staff. This personal and differentiated approach, specialized programs and individualized use of assistive technology are ideally suited to those students with mild learning disabilities or learning style differences. The YMCA Academy also offers university/college level courses designed to equip students with the knowledge they need for entrance to universities and colleges.

Funding and Program Partners

Funding for the YMCA Academy comes from a combination of philanthropic support from our community of donors, including corporate, foundations and individual donors.

Program Impact

The YMCA Academy — which has a 100% success rate and 35 graduates — provides the opportunity for learning-disabled youth who are at risk of dropping out to complete high school and go on to further education or join the work force with skills and confidence.

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

“Schools function as vital community hubs, and the Ontario Ministry of Education’s 2010 review of the education funding formula is an opportunity to rethink the possibilities for shared use of school buildings.

The Ministry is proposing that wherever new schools are built, boards will be required to work with other public services and community groups to ensure that schools serve a wide variety of functions (like healthcare clinics, libraries, community kitchens and meeting spaces), and facilitate shared use of older buildings with community partners”.

(Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2010)

The YMCA Academy recognizes that our students can benefit from being part of a community hub. The YMCA Academy is located in the Education Centre of our Central Y, a true “Centre of Community” where students have access to fitness and recreation facilities, the YMCA Youth Zone and more — interacting with a wide variety of community members daily, from seniors to newcomers to children.

Participant Vignette

“The Y changed my life. Through all my trials and tribulations, I managed to make it through high school. It’s because of all the staff at the school that believed in me and pushed me to do my best and finish what I started. Words can’t even begin to explain how grateful I am that I had the opportunity to be a part of this new venture the YMCA started with the YMCA Academy.” – Graduating student 2008

YMCA Hospitality Training Program

The YMCA Hospitality Training Program is a unique 10-month program that helps participants develop the essential kitchen and employment skills needed to find and maintain work in the hospitality industry. The YMCA has been delivering this high-quality program since 1984.

Funding and Program Partners

Nutritious meals are prepared for Second Harvest and Meals on Wheels in addition to serving the public at our Metro Hall location through the Y Cafe and catering services.

Program Impact

Each year, 70 people referred by Toronto Social Services enrol in the YMCA Hospitality Training Program, with close to 80% finding work; the program also contributes 4,500 meals to Second Harvest and 1,000 meals to Meals on Wheels monthly.

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

“More than 160,000 people were receiving social assistance through OntarioWorks, in the city of Toronto in June 2010 (10.2% more than in June 2009) as caseloads continued to rise to over 94,500.”

More than 160,000 people were receiving social assistance through OntarioWorks, in the city of Toronto in June 2010 (10.2% more than in June 2009) as caseloads continued to r

The YMCA Hospitality Training Program helps individuals receiving social assistance overcome employment barriers and the chance to develop the skills they need to find and maintain employment in the hospitality industry. The program provides the hospitality industry with well-trained staff, and thousands of meals monthly for community members in need.

Participant Vignette

“Cooking has always been a passion of mine,” says Beth. “But with a limited income and the responsibility of assisting my mother who lives with a disability, I was struggling to make my dream come true.” However, thanks to the YMCA, Beth was able to pursue her passion by acquiring core culinary and employment skills through the YMCA Hospitality Training Program. One of the facets she loved the most about the program was being able to work in a real kitchen environment producing affordable meals. “I know what it’s like to be down and not know where your next meal is coming from,” says Beth. “I love the fact that I’m putting out delicious food for families in need.” Now working as Garde Manger in a fine dining establishment, Beth is grateful to the YMCA and its donors for helping her realize her goals. “Receiving support to attend the YMCA Hospitality Training Program has given me an opportunity to pursue my dreams.”