Wanting to work out on his lunch break, Daniel joined the YMCA over 20 years ago. He soon discovered that the Y was so much more than a gym and saw the important role it plays in his neighbourhood. For him, the local Y is a real community hub; a place where people of all ages come together to socialize, participate in activities, make friends, and find the support they need to succeed.
So when Daniel and other members feared that the NDG YMCA’s closure because of the pandemic could become permanent, the group spoke up to express how much their Y means to them. They wanted to show their support for the centre and help ensure its continued presence in the neighbourhood.
Today, thanks to our members’ support, the NDG YMCA has reopened its health and fitness activities and continues to support youth, families, and the community through a wide range of programs. And Daniel continues to volunteer at the local and municipal levels, fighting for what he thinks is important and hoping to make a difference.
The YMCA encourages individuals to actively participate in society and contribute to their community.
In addition to building self-esteem, it gives them a sense of purpose and positively affects their health and well-being.
A charitable organization whose mission is to encourage and inspire all people to fulfill their potential, thrive and contribute to their community, the YMCAs of Québec offer programs in more than 30 points of service and virtually across the province, as well as operating an International Language School, YMCA Residence and Camp YMCA Kanawana.
Thanks to financial partnerships with different levels of government and the generosity of its volunteers and donors, each year, the YMCA helps more than 120,000 people to develop their skills.
As the first YMCA in North America, the YMCAs of Québec have been present in Montréal since 1851.
Since 1984, the YMCAs of Québec Foundation supports the mission of the YMCA and ensure its financial sustainability by promoting the impact it has on the community, raising funds and administering these funds responsibly.