YMCA Stories

Hamilton, Ontario, April 22, 2024 — The YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford is about to transform countless lives through its ambitious philanthropic initiative, The Y Saves Lives. This campaign seeks to raise $25 million to significantly enhance the YMCA’s capacity to meet urgent community needs, aiming to double the reach of crucial

Meet Mariia. She is a Ukranian National and in June 2023—as the war with Russia continued—she made the difficult decision to leave her home country, come to Canada, and start a new life. 

Meet Honza. He’s a lifeguard with the YMCA working with our local day camps and in our swimming pools.  Last week, many of our swimmers graduated from their levels and programs. It was a week full of confidence and seeing how our staff ignite potential in our community. 

Meet Don. He’s been a member of the YMCA for 27 years. He joined with a friend, and until that friend’s recent passing, they would meet up to have lunch once a week. 

Meet Ella. She’s a 12-year-old athlete playing a variety of sports and she’s been coming to the YMCA with her family since she was a baby. Ella does gymnastics, plays soccer, takes part in skating lessons, and she swims and trains at the Y alongside her parents and brother.

Meet Brenda Flaherty. She’s held many titles over the course of her life—like COO of Hamilton Health Sciences, and Assistant Professor of Nursing—but when asked about her relationship with the YMCA, she simply says she’s a volunteer.

Support from the Y during incarceration is helping this man rebuild his life.

For Jacqueline, being part of the Y has been a lifelong affair.

When Maggie thinks back, she realizes she’s grown up with the YMCA. Before-and-after-school care moved into swimming lessons, Friday nights as a tween were spent with friends at the Y, and day camp turned into overnight camp at YMCA Wanakita.