YMCA BC

Our YMCA Self Employment for Newcomers (SEN) Program is Hosting a Networking Event for Entrepreneurs! Attendees will have the opportunity to... ... Expand their Network – Connect with Self-Employment for Newcomers program alumni and like-minded entrepreneurs ... Discover Helpful Resources – Find essential tools and resources for newcomers and business owners ... Explore Innovative Solutions – Discover new products and services from our exhibitors) ... Learn from Inspiring Speakers – Gain insights from the experiences of our speakers) THE DETAILS: Format: In-person Where: Vancouver Public Library, Central (350 W. Georgia St, Vancouver) – Alice Mackay Room When: Thursday, August 8, 2024 Time: 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Registration Required: https://lnkd.in/g9TzXhPM Registration Deadline: August 1, 2024 Event is open to everyone! Register today as spaces are limited. Have questions? Please contact [email protected]. #ymca #newcomers #networkingevent #selfemploymentfornewcomers

Make a Difference in Kids’ Lives While You Gain Valuable Experience! Join us at one of our upcoming YMCA Kids Club Before and After School Program hiring events where you'll have the chance to meet our team, learn about the available opportunities, and participate in on-site interviews! Hiring Event #1: Friday, July 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. @ Tong Louie Family YMCA (14988 57 Ave., Surrey) Hiring Event #2: Wednesday, July 17th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. @ Robert Lee YMCA (955 Burrard St., Vancouver) Click the link to register for one of the events and we look forward to meeting you! https://lnkd.in/gx5p6iaA

This week, the YMCA was at the Local Government Management Association (LGMA) convention in beautiful Victoria. It was great to have the opportunity to connect with municipal staff and share how we partner with municipalities to deliver life-enhancing recreation, child care, and community programs across BC. #lgma2024 YMCA of Southern Interior BC

It was wonderful to host Minister Saks last week for a conversation about mental health and the difference that the Y Mind program makes in the lives of young people. In the past year, Y Mind has supported 2,780 young people across 10 provinces to learn evidence-based skills to manage their anxiety, increase their sense of well-being, and connect with others. Thank you to all our wonderful past participants who came to share their experiences with Minister Saks, and to Minister Saks for taking the time to listen and share her story too. Find out more about the program here: https://www.ymca.ca/ymind

From sharing ideas to playing mini basketball, we’ve had a great time at the Lower Mainland LGA Conference in Whistler this week. Our team has been engaging with municipal leaders and discussing innovative ways to partner with the YMCA to expand child care in BC, build and operate centres of community, and offer more programs to enable everyone in our communities to have equitable access to healthier outcomes. Together, we can do even more to support healthy and thriving communities!   

This new report commissioned by YMCA Canada and conducted by the Centre for the Study of Living Standards highlights the potential economic benefits from increasing wages for Early Childhood Educators (ECEs). The YMCA is committed to investing in our ECEs to power our economy and strengthen our communities. We encourage you to review the key findings and insights in this report to gain an even greater perspective on how increasing ECE wages can uplift working moms, create better child care and boost our economy. #SupportECE #CanadianEconomy #ChildCareInitiative #YMCACanada #YMCABC

YMCA BC will be joining municipal leaders at the Lower Mainland Local Government Association Conference in Whistler from May 1 to May 3, 2024. This year, we are pleased to be an event sponsor! Visit our trade show booth to connect with Heidi Worthington, our President and CEO, and Brenda Kent, our Provincial Director of Government Relations, and discuss opportunities to partner with YMCA BC to support healthy communities. 

On April 8th, YMCA’s in BC were pleased to join Vantage Point and our non-profit peers at the BC Legislature to discuss the state of the non-profit sector with BC MLAs.  Did you know that BC non-profits contribute $4.39 billion to our GDP? BC has more than 31,000 non-profit organizations, employing about 87,000 people—we're a key part of the social and economic fabric of our province. A huge thank you to Premier David Eby; Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development and Non-Profits, Megan Dykeman; Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Sheila Malcolmson; and all the BC MLAs in attendance for a great discussion about how the government can support a strong and stable sector.  

YMCA BC is proud to serve and support communities across British Columbia, which would not be possible without the valuable contributions our amazing Y volunteers. Through their gifts of time and talent, peoples of all ages, stages, backgrounds and abilities are able to enjoy our programs and services, and have a welcoming place to connect with family and friends. As National Volunteer Week kicks off, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to this very special group of community members, who impact all areas of our organization each and every day. #NationalVolunteerWeek #YMCABC

We are thrilled to hear the funding announcements from the Federal government today to boost child care in Canada, and the specific funding to BC for space creation, inclusion, and the workforce. The YMCA has been advocating for additional funding, particularly to address the workforce shortage of Early Childhood Educators. We are happy to hear of the focus on rural/remote locations, and we hope to see further funding for Work Integrated Learning programs that produce well-trained child care professionals.