Donor Funded Programs

Your investment will address urgent Calgary community needs.

The Need

  • Calgary’s poor includes:
    • More than 50% of all single parent families
    • More than 50% of all recent immigrants
    • More than 50% of all Aboriginal people
  • During critical after-school hours (3pm – 6pm) ALL children and youth are at risk every day of engaging in high-risk and unhealthy activities. Including: Sexual experimentation, drinking, smoking and unlawful behavior.
  • Too many six to 10-year olds engage in unhealthy food choices and limited physical activity. The Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute recommends minimum 90 minutes of physical activity per day. Only 13% of Canadian children and youth are getting this amount. (The Active Healthy Kids Canada 2009 Report Card.) Besides the health benefits of physical activity, research shows active kids do better in school than sedentary kids.

The YMCA Calgary Response

Through YMCA programs at more than 60 outreach sites in and around Calgary, 1200+ children and youth have positive environments with caring adult role models. These young people grow, thrive, lead and have a sense of belonging.

  • Positive peer relationships are created
  • Leadership opportunities abound
  • Social skills are developed

Signature YMCA Calgary Community Programs

Critical Hours After-School Programs

  • Programs integrate leadership skills, recreation and academic support
  • 92% of parents report their children learned teamwork and cooperation
  • 94% of leadership program participants learned the importance of giving back to others

YMCA Achievement Program (YMAP)

  • Leadership and stay-in-school program for immigrant youth
  • 96% of YMAP participants graduate from high school - much higher than the average Alberta graduation rate of 74%
  • 250 youth from 54 countries speaking 62 first-languages impacted

Aboriginal Programs

  • Programs based on Aboriginal culture and mentorship, as well as recreation and leadership skills
  • Build positive identity and self-esteem in Aboriginal children and youth
  • 82% of participants report a sense of belonging
  • 82% feel their life has meaning