Media & News

EDMONTON, Alberta, Sept. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A new survey commissioned by YMCA Canada, conducted among Angus Reid Forum members, reveals that a staggering 60% of Canadians feel disconnected from their community, with 16% reporting they never feel a sense of community and 44% experiencing it only sometimes.

The survey, launched alongside the YMCA’s first nationwide brand awareness campaign, highlights the state of social connections in Canada.

EDMONTON, Alberta, July 26, 2024 — With many of the thousands of residents affected by the Jasper wildfire fleeing east to Edmonton, YMCA of Northern Alberta is offering evacuees free access to the four YMCA health, fitness and aquatics centres in Edmonton. Individuals and families are welcome to access these locations free of charge for recreational use, showering and drop-in programming during standard hours of operation. 

Evacuees can walk into any of the locations listed below and by showing photo ID may use the facilities for no charge for the duration of the evacuation:

RED DEER, Alberta, March 19, 2024 — The Glendale Skatepark, located next door to Northside Community Centre YMCA, is a magnet for young people in the area, many of whom need guidance and support from role models who understand them. To meet this need, the YMCA’s Skatepark Mentorship program began in 2021 and has since been supported to grow and thrive thanks to generous annual donations from local Red Deer company, Border Paving Ltd.

YMCAs in Alberta are a place where everyone can feel safe, welcome, and a sense of belonging. Our commitment to building vibrant and inclusive communities where everyone can shine is rooted in our core values. To achieve this, we must treat each other with dignity and care, and embrace our diversity. We stand as allies of the transgender community and believe transgender rights are human rights. Our YMCA will continue to work with our partners and in our communities to create an equitable future for all.

EDMONTON, Alberta, Aug. 17, 2023 — With extreme fire conditions in the Northwest Territories and the growing number of individuals and families evacuated from their homes, many individuals and families are relocating to Alberta.

To support evacuees, YMCA of Northern Alberta is offering community members that have been forced to evacuate free access to the four YMCA health, fitness and aquatics centres in Edmonton. Individuals and families are welcome to access these locations free of charge for recreational use, showering and drop-in programming during standard hours of operation.

EDMONTON, Alberta, Aug. 03, 2023 — Youth in Edmonton have the potential to shape a bright future for our community — but they are navigating challenges that when left unsupported could lead them toward a very different path. YMCA of Northern Alberta (YMCA) and Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton & Area (BGCBigs) are two youth-serving organizations that experience first-hand how positive, early intervention can help our young people overcome these challenges and be set up for success. Together with the Edmonton Police Service (EPS), YMCA Youth Diversion and BGCBigs collaborate to provide this critical intervention.

EDMONTON, ALBERTA, May 5, 2023 — With extreme fire conditions in the province and the growing number of Albertans evacuated from their homes, many individuals and families are relocating to Edmonton and Red Deer.