By igniting belonging and helping people of all ages and stages achieve their best health and wellbeing, YMCA BC builds vibrant, healthy, and inclusive communities for all. With over 3,100 dedicated employees and volunteers, YMCA BC serves 225,000 individuals each year across hundreds of service locations, from the Sunshine Coast to Fort St. John.
As a charity, YMCA BC promotes equitable access to healthier outcomes by providing vital programs and services to help address many of our communities' most pressing needs, including health and wellness, child care, camps, mental health, employment services and newcomer support.
At our core, the YMCA is committed to creating safe spaces and welcoming experiences where everyone belongs.
YMCA BC cares for children, shapes leaders for tomorrow and helps generations of people come together to find support, get healthier and make friends for life.
At the Y, safeguarding children and youth is our highest priority. We take pride in inspiring children and youth to authentically be themselves, and ensuring their best interests take precedence.
We lead with heart, here at the Y. These core values define our culture and drive the impact we make in every region we serve. In pursuit of our purpose, we will be:
We value and respect different backgrounds and build meaningful connections by meeting people where they are at.
We are empathetic and caring; we listen to understand different needs and do the right thing.
We embrace creative ideas to improve what we do and to seek new ways to deliver exceptional experiences and excellence.
We believe in the We do what we say, show up for others, lead by example, and act with integrity.and potential in people and communities.
Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
YMCA BC is firmly committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB). We strive to ensure that everyone, including all equity-deserving groups, is included, celebrated, respected, and valued. This encompasses but is not limited to ability, age, caste, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender expression, gender identity, income, national origin, political belief, race, or sexual orientation.
Our aim is to foster a culture of respect, understanding, and appreciation for the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences that everyone brings to our YMCA community. By actively championing EDIB, we are not only strengthening our organizational fabric, but also cultivating a more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient society.
Our dedication to EDIB is unwavering, recognizing that our efforts in this space are fundamental to realizing our broader vision of healthier, thriving communities. Together, with our staff and volunteers, we aspire to ensure that YMCA BC continues to be a place where everyone feels a sense of belonging and can reach their full potential.
This commitment is the cornerstone of our values, driving us forward as we work towards building a more just, inclusive, and equitable future for all.
As part of our commitment, we are developing a robust EDIB strategy and will continue to share updates. If you have any questions in the meantime, please reach out to us at diversity@bc.ymca.ca.
Our commitment to Truth & Reconciliation
In accordance with YMCA Canada’s Statement on Reconciliation, YMCA BC acknowledges the harm and ongoing impacts of colonialism on Indigenous Peoples. We are committed to:
Listening, learning, and reflecting upon the history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, the legacy of colonization, and impact on Indigenous Peoples today.
Remaining open to learning about and addressing any harms YBC may have caused or contributed to.
Building new relationships with Indigenous communities, nourishing existing ones, and repairing any relationships impacted by colonial harms of the past and present.
Decolonizing our programs, spaces, policies, and practices to ensure they are culturally responsive and include Indigenous knowledge and teachings.
Developing an action plan grounded in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Actions and informed by diverse Indigenous voices and perspectives.
The Y provides essential programs and services that have a positive impact on some of our communities’ most pressing social issues including health and wellness, child care, camps, chronic disease management, mental health, employment and newcomer services.
When you join the YMCA you join more than a gym. You join a community.
