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Everything You Need to Know About the YMCAs of Québec

YMCAs of Québec - January 20 2025

You certainly know your neighbourhood YMCA as a community space for physical activity and recreation. What if we told you about everything that makes it a catalyst for change in our communities?  

Behind every centre, program, and activity is a much broader mission: to build inclusive communities, support young people in their pursuits, welcome newcomers and promote physical and mental well-being.  

Get ready to learn all about your Y and go beyond what everybody thinks they know about us. The following true/false questions will tell you all you need to know about The YMCAs of Québec —our mission, our impact, and our crucial role in our communities.

1) The YMCAs of Québec are part of a global movement.

True.  

All YMCAs, through their national federation, are part of the global YMCA movement, a charitable organization where each association operates independently but is guided by shared values. Founded in London in 1844, the organization has grown to reach more than 65 million people annually in 120 countries.

In Quebec, YMCAs are part of a Canadian federation of 37 independent community charities.  Each association and site adapts its programming to the unique needs of local communities.  

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YMCA Canada offers programs and services to more than two million people every year, including 1.35 million children, teens and young adults, in over 1,700 locations.

2) The YMCAs of Québec are a men’s-only organization.

False. 

One of the most frequently asked questions about YMCAs in Canada is whether they belong to the Christian religion, and whether access is restricted to men. It is true that, in the past, the YMCA only served anglophone Protestant men.   

In Canada, since 1870, evening classes were offered at the YMCA to the general public, including women and immigrants, for the first time.    

Since 1970, the YMCA offered all its services to all Quebeckers, regardless of their religion or language, in order to better meet the needs of the communities in which it is present.   

Recently, the Canadian association reiterated its choice to serve all communities in an inclusive manner in the Halifax 2024 declaration. 

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A French course offered at the YMCA International Language School in 1970, where women and people from all walks of life can learn.

3) You have to go to a YMCA facility in person to access one of their programs.

False.  

We work in a number of areas, including in specially dedicated spaces for our programs and services in places such as schools, parks, prisons, airports, bus terminals, and even on the street, in order to respond to current social issues:    

  • barriers to youth success;
  • difficulties in welcoming those arriving from abroad;
  • physical inactivity, isolation, as well as mental and physical health disorders;
  • homelessness;
  • nequality of opportunity.

 
In addition, language learning is available online, making it accessible to all communities, regardless of where participants live. Our Y Mind program is also available online

4) The Y is a private company.

False.  

The YMCA is a charitable organization. Its goal is to contribute to society by addressing specific issues, such as alleviating poverty and promoting education.

5) The YMCA, the YWCA, and the YMHA are all connected.

False.  

In Quebec, there is no link between the YMCA, the YWCA, and the YMHA. 

In some parts of Canada, the YMCA and the YWCA are part of the same organization. Since the different associations across the country are part of a federation where each association is independent and free to define its mission, organizations can work together to meet the needs of their communities. 

6) The YMCAs of Québec have an international presence.

True.

Through our online training, particularly in language learning, our reach extends beyond Canadian borders. For example, you can easily take a French course remotely, regardless of your country of residence.

That is not to mention the fact that The YMCAs of Québec export Québec know-how through the Alternative Suspension Program. Created here in 1999 to support youth who are temporarily excluded from school, the program helps them each year build their self-esteem and stay in school. Its impact is such that the program is now available as a social franchise elsewhere in Canada and around the world.

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Parramatta YMCA (Sydney, Australia), where Alternative Suspension is offered, visited by Nicolas Greenfield – Scaling and Innovative Finance, and Maude Lagacé – School success and youth development director.

7) How is the Y funded?

The Y is able to deliver its programs and services through four types of revenue, a rather unique model that enables it to both address pressing social issues and plan for the future:    

  1. Own source revenue from paid programs
  2. Donations and contributions from generous donors and philanthropic partners (The YMCAs of Quebec Foundation)
  3. Interest from a mission support fund (investment fund)
  4. Service agreements and government grants

 

To go further

Learn more about our programs and our impact in our 2023 impact report.  

Volunteer your time.

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