Sharing Our Stories

December 16, 2022

Foundry Prince George

At the Y, we know how important it is to provide young people with access to critical support services. Foundry offers free and confidential supports for young people ages 12-24, which includes mental health care, substance use services, medical services, youth and family peer supports, and social services. To ensure as many young people as possible are able to access this program, Foundry offers both online and in-person services in communities across B.C.

Centres are all run in partnership with various community partners, and Foundry Prince George is one of a few (if not the only) centre operated by a YMCA. The impact made by Foundry Prince George is the result of the efforts and collaboration with approximately 15 community partners. Foundry Prince George opened in October 2017, next door to YMCA of Northern BC’s downtown youth drop-in centre, Youth Around Prince (YAP), which allowed at-risk youth who seek support at YAP low-barrier access to the expanded services and programs Foundry offers. The Peer Support team works through both centres and hosts a variety of groups and events at both.

Additionally in September Foundry Quebec Street Extension located a couple of blocks away from Foundry Prince George opened. This extension site operates differently in that it runs a number of YMCA and Foundry community health programs. These include Youth Works Employment Program, Foundry Work & Education, YCAN, Y Mind, and Alternative Suspension.

Knowing the tremendous impact of Foundry Prince George and it services, makes its recent five-year anniversary celebration that much more significant! To mark the occasion, on November 18th Foundry Prince George hosted a carnival-themed open house to celebrate its fifth-year anniversary of operations in Prince George. Attendees were able to receive information about its many services, and enjoyed treats, activities and games, and prizes while touring the centre’s flagship Seventh Avenue facility as well as the Foundry Quebec Street extension site.

Here are some photos from the celebration!

November 10, 2022

A Collective Commitment to Creating Equitable, Diverse
and Inclusive Communities

Although our YMCAs have unique programs and initiatives, one of the many common threads that unite our associations is the belief that equity, diversity, and inclusion are fundamental to building healthy communities, and fostering belonging and connection.

Our work in the area of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is an ongoing process of educating ourselves and our communities. As we look ahead to the important work in front of us as YMCA BC, we are proud to share some of the impactful work our three YMCAs have done to engage others in our EDI initiatives and continue to create safe, inclusive and welcoming experiences for those we are fortunate to serve and support.  

• Organized various events including Peace Week

• Led staff workshops and training based around cultural safety and EDI topics

• Facilitated weekly discussions around EDI topics

• Started a monthly EDI staff newsletter

• Gender Inclusivity: Audit/update of all forms and website language, Name tags offered with pronouns

• Incorporated Land Acknowledgments into emails, website, presentations and meetings, etc.

• Education and awareness about National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day Efforts made to increase diversity representation in marketing materials, photos, videos, etc. Cultural Sensitivity training for staff

• Established agreements with local First Nations to ensure HFA services accessible to all members

• Educated our staff and larger YMCA community about several important items such as Indigenous History Month, Pride Month, and Indigenous History Month

• Developed an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy that will continue to evolve

• Organized an EDI Committee that meets monthly to identify key work and opportunities to further our work

The initiatives outlined above provide a snapshot of the work our YMCAs have done over the past year in support of EDI. They are a reflection of the many strides we have taken in this area and a reminder of all that we can achieve together as YMCA BC to further our mission of building healthy communities.

August 4, 2022

YMCA Plusone Mentoring Program

Tong Louie Family YMCA, located in Surrey, is one of three program sites nationwide for Plusone Mentoring, which pairs adult volunteers with youth who face barriers to their engagement with schooling, their community and peers.

Thanks to the YMCA of Greater Vancouver Foundation’s support, this important initiative has continued operating in Surrey at a time when these social connections are as crucial for vulnerable young people as ever.

Youth participants, aged 10 to 17, typically come to the program with multiple identified risk factors. Matching them with an adult volunteer mentor provides them with a positive role model and the tools to overcome the challenges they are facing. Mentors and mentees set goals that allow both to grow on multiple levels while working together for six months to one year. “The idea is to reduce those risk factors that they have and increase their social connection,” explained Bobbi Terrell, Manager, Youth Programs, YMCA of Greater Vancouver.

Since it was first offered locally in 2015, Plusone’s results speak for themselves. The vast majority of youth who complete the program report improved engagement in school, as well as a reduction in social isolation and offending behaviours.

“I used to be depressed and cover my face with my hood,” said one youth participant. “I am not like that anymore.” Recognizing the need for these important connections to continue through the pandemic, Plusone was among the first Y programs to return to in-person operations, and also developed several creative, virtual mentoring options to link mentors and mentees. Plusone has also made a shift this year to amalgamate with the YMCA of Greater Vancouver Youth Leadership Development program, providing an extended network of support through the Y. “That gives the youth a group aspect so that once they’re done their six months (in Plusone), they are staying connected to the YMCA afterwards,” said Terrell. “And it’s working so far.”

May 19, 2022

Kamloops YMCA-YWCA Dream Home and 50/50 Lotto

The Kamloops YMCA-YWCA Lottery Series* currently runs two charitable lotteries annually: a Spring Y Dream Home and 5050 Lottery; and a Fall 5050 Lotto.

The Y Dream Home Lottery is the Kamloops YMCA-YWCA’s most important and longest-standing annual fundraiser, running for the past 26 years. It is a true community partnership project with the Kamloops-based division (Central Interior) of the Canadian Home Builders Association and Thompson Rivers University Trades & Technology Department. Local businesses also play a vital role in the success of the lottery by sponsoring prizes that make up bonus prize packages.

This incredibly successful and popular fundraiser has strengthened community partnerships and raised the profile of the YMCA-YWCA in Kamloops. It is also the largest source of funds raised for the Kamloops Y each year.

This year’s lottery* is their largest to date, with the Dream Home valued at $1.2 million, located in the master-planned community of Tobiano, 15 minutes from Kamloops. There are an additional 26 bonus prizes packages totaling $116,738.80 in value, as well as a 50/50 draw.

Interested in learning more? Check out www.kamloopsylotto.ca.

*Persons NOT ELIGIBLE to Purchase Tickets: The following people are not permitted to purchase tickets in this lottery: board members(s), all employees of the YMCA and their immediate family who reside at the same address; or employees of Raffle Nexus and KPMG.

April 21, 2022

Youth Around Prince (YAP) and Foundry Prince George work together to provide a wide range of health and social supports for young people ages 12-24 years. Meet Kassy, a former YAP resident who benefited from this incredibly important service offered by YMCA of Northern British Columbia.

Kassy's Story

"Growing up in the North is not always an easy thing. Growing up in the North as a young Indigenous woman is even harder," Kassy says. She was the victim of abuse at a young age, landing her in the care of the Ministry of Children and Family Development. She spent most of her childhood moving around the foster care system. 

"Any blood relatives I had were dealing with their own demons and using substances to cope. I learned those habits young and became quick to use those same coping methods to deal with my own demons. I have been homeless and dealt with addiction issues most of my life. I have done things to get by that I am not proud of, but I did have one place to go where the staff made me feel safe. Going to Youth Around Prince (YAP) allowed me to see that there was a different path that I could take instead of the one I had been shown at a young age. I went to treatment, got my own place, and graduated high school with the YMCA’s help."

Staff helped her to apply for financial assistance at the Prince George Family Y as well. She used the subsidized membership to earn the Physical Education credits she needed to graduate high school.

"I am grateful for the YMCA’s and YAP's support and would recommend them to anyone looking for a different path.”

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What tremendous work being done by our colleagues in Northern BC!

March 30, 2022

We’ll have so much strength and potential when we combine our efforts to respond to community needs, which can be distinct in every community we serve. Check out what participants have to say about important and unique programs across our associations:

“I cannot say how grateful I am that the YMCA offers this [Y Mind] program. Mental health is such an enormously important and under-supported area of wellbeing. Offering this as a free resource is simply amazing - and I have told so many friends and colleagues about the program. Thank you for your generosity in offering this and for your keen identification of a great need.” -Y Mind Adult program participant, YMCA of Greater Vancouver

"Going to YAP [Youth Around Prince George] allowed me to see that there was a different path that I could take instead of the one I had been shown at a young age. I went to treatment, got my own place, and graduated high school with the YMCA’s help." -Prince George youth participant, YMCA of Northern BC

“I joined Masters 25 years ago. I have always had a passion for the water. Thriving on the challenges that lay ahead and pushing myself with the help of the coaches and the encouragement of my fellow swimmers, I have been able to learn all four strokes. Masters has also become a social thing with all the like-minded people. It’s great to see so many members involved in the past few months. Thank-you for the many years of enjoyment and I am so looking forward to many more challenges in the future.” –Masters Swim Club member, YMCA-YWCA of Kamloops

Want to share a Y story for a future unification newsletter? Email us at: unification@bc.ymca.ca!