Calgarians Need Connection Now More Than Ever
Social isolation and loneliness harm mental and physical health. Loneliness is linked not only to poor mental health but also higher risks of disease and early death. According to Statistics Canada, 79% of youth ages 12-17 and approximately half of adults and children do not meet national physical activity recommendations. In Calgary, quality of life for youth and seniors are most significantly affected, with surveys suggesting significant needs for stress reduction, social connection and belonging.
The WHO Commission on Social Connection (2025) calls social isolation and loneliness a global public health issue and urges communities to strengthen places where people gather, move, and belong. Community recreation and youth programs are evidence-based solutions that increase activity, reduce isolation, and improve wellbeing.
44% of Calgarians rate mental health as poor/below average. And half report feeling always or often lonely.
— Calgary Foundation Quality of Life Report 2024
Only four-in-ten (38%) Canadians feel a sense of connection and belonging in their community.
— YMCA Canada, Angus Reid Forum
One of the best ways to improve social connection is by making community spaces and services stronger and more welcoming. These spaces should feel safe and welcoming to everyone, whether they are young or older, have a disability or health problem, or are new to the area.
— World Health Organization, 2025
A Trusted Charity
For nearly 125 years, YMCA Calgary has been the neighbour people count on. Today, we engage over 230,000 Calgarians, facilitating over 4.2 million visits a year across seven facilities that deliver health and wellness, childcare, camps, arts, Indigenous, newcomer and youth programs. As a registered charity, we direct donations to financial assistance, youth empowerment programs, and capital renewal, ensuring exceptional experiences for generations to come.
Our Vision is that our communities are happy and healthy because children, youth, and adults belong, grow, thrive, and lead.
We accomplish this through our Mission by connecting people through diverse and shared experiences. As a trusted charity, YMCA Calgary helps create spaces and communities that are welcoming and inspiring.
The YMCA Is The Neighbour You Can Count On
Canadians who have community spaces outside home or work report higher levels of belonging and connection to their community. (Angus Reid Survey, 2024) Access to third places - community places outside of home or work to gather, connect and build community - are critical to helping Canadians feel more connected.
Community spaces that are safe, welcoming, and accessible are core public health infrastructure.
The Y feels like a safe place in a big city. Feels like home to me.
— Julie, Shawnessy YMCA Participant
The communities we serve change and evolve over time, and we continually adapt to ensure that even more Calgarians can find connection and belonging. The outcomes of these connections from our members are clear.
When someone joins our YMCA:
- 88% feel happier and more energized
- 86% report better health outcomes
- 81% experience stronger social connections
Delivering this level of impact requires a strong and sustainable foundation. As a charity, YMCA Calgary operates through a sustainable social‑enterprise model, generating revenue through memberships and programs while reinvesting back into the community. We receive no ongoing government operating funding. This independence allows us to be responsive to community needs but it also means that large‑scale investments, from facility renewal to innovative programs that reach those facing the greatest barriers, rely on the generosity of donors, partners, and community support. Philanthropy plays a critical role in ensuring we can continue to evolve, expand access, and deliver impact at the scale Calgary needs.
Rob’s comeback came from YMCA connections.
When Rob lost his mother and sister just three weeks apart, his feelings of overwhelm and sadness turned into a deep depression.
“I disconnected from the community. For two long decades, I felt separated without a neighbour, without community, lost in my own grief.”
Rob’s renewed connection with the YMCA created a meaningful turning point in his life and in his hope for the future. Today, he teaches dozens of fitness classes across YMCA Calgary’s locations, meeting staff, new friends, and new members.
Here For The Long Term
Capital Support Fundraising goal: 19.5 million
The YMCA has been supporting Calgarians for nearly 125 years. Our priority is to ensure we’re here to support our communities for another 125 years.
Through a partnership with the City of Calgary, the YMCA has long-term leases to operate city-owned facilities. It is our responsibility to maintain and sustain these facilities for the benefit of the community. Now is the time to invest in our infrastructure to reach more Calgarians.
YMCA Calgary, with donor support, will raise $19.5 million to revitalize the Shawnessy YMCA and Melcor YMCA at Crowfoot.
The layouts of these facilities are no longer optimal for current and growing user demand. Reconfiguring underutilized space will significantly increase program offerings and enhance spaces for more Calgarians to gather, connect, and build community. These investments are critical to ensure the sustainability and vibrancy of these older community hubs and meet the growing demand for programs in our city.
Shawnessy YMCA
- Nearly 25 years old
- Opened in 2002
- Annual visits: 512,000
- Number of members: Over 9,000
- Fundraising Goal: $7.5 Million
Facility Improvements
- Tripling our fitness studios from one to three and adding a dedicated stretching area will allow us to offer more fitness classes, alleviate congestion on the weight floor and expand drop-in and registered programs in our gymnasium.
- Creating a new tech lab will allow us to offer more skill building youth programs including tutoring, school suspension intervention curriculum, and eSports.
- A redesigned family centre will offer a flexible, welcoming community gathering space for youth, seniors, and families to connect socially, strengthening relationships and fosters a greater sense of belonging.
- Relocating all change rooms to the main floor will improve accessibility and expanding our universal change room will support families and other users needing a more flexible environment to change.
Improved Health Outcomes
- 22% growth in members
- 1,400+ additional program spots weekly
- 82% increase in active minutes delivered weekly
Melcor YMCA at Crowfoot
- Nearly 30 years old
- Opened in 1997
- Annual visits: 400,000
- Number of members: Over 6,500
- Fundraising Goal: $12 Million
Facility Improvements:
- Facility sustainability is essential and major upgrades will include a new elevator, boiler system and roof upgrades to ensure long-term operations
- Reconfigure space to optimize use and run more programs simultaneously, meeting the growing demands for more fitness programs and sport and recreation programs in our gymnasium.
- Restructure change rooms to improve accessibility and support families and other users needing a more flexible environment to change.
Improved Health Outcomes
- 15% growth in members
- 1,575+ additional program spots weekly
- 54% increase in active minutes delivered weekly
Donor support will enable facility renovations to optimize the use of space, creating more usable space for participants to move, gather and connect, improving accessibility and comfort, and enhancing services for youth, seniors, and families while meeting the growing population demands of our city.
Developing Future Leaders Today
Our goal is for Calgary to be home to Canada’s healthiest and happiest youth.
The YMCA is the longest-running youth-serving organization in the world committed to helping young people develop the habits and skills they need to reach their full potential.
Calgary is home to approximately 85,000 youth ages 12-17, each with unique needs and aspirations. They must navigate a far more complex environment than previous generations, which is causing significant barriers to healthy, positive development. Addressing these barriers requires holistic support systems – safe spaces, mentorship, accessible health and academic resources and opportunities for meaningful connection and skill-building.
Our vision is for Calgary to be home to Canada’s healthiest and happiest youth.
By establishing a youth endowment we will secure sustainable revenue to deliver and grow transformational youth experiences and ensure more opportunities for young people, connecting them to a safe community where they can build life and leadership skills, be active, and have fun.
Youth Endowment
Fundraising goal: $10 Million
The Youth Endowment will fund:
- Expanding access to YMCA youth programs by increasing subsidies and reducing financial barriers.
- Launching outreach initiatives to bring programs to underserved areas.
- Enhancing program quality through investments in staff and volunteers, training, and curriculum development.
- Leadership development opportunities such as certification courses, skills training, and volunteer experiences.
The YMCA Calgary Youth Endowment Fund is permanently endowed with the Calgary Foundation, and YMCA Calgary is the sole beneficiary of the fund in perpetuity.
Sahar and Tahmina fled for the chance of freedom
Sahar and Tahmina are two remarkable young women from Afghanistan who came to Canada shortly after the Taliban regained control of their homeland. They have spoken candidly about the immense fear and uncertainty they experienced during this transition.
They joined the YMCA Achievement Program (YMAP), designed specifically to guide high school youth new to Calgary toward a positive integration into Canada. Through the program they learned about Canadian culture and developed life and leadership skills, but more importantly, they created new friendships and community connections, giving them hope and a greater sense of belonging in their new home.
They cherish the freedom to study, pursue their dreams, and participate in programs like YMAP - a place where they feel supported and valued as newcomers.
Sahar and Tahmina’s journey serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the importance of programs like YMAP in fostering connections, building confidence, and creating a sense of belonging for youth who have faced adversity.
Equitable Access Shouldn’t Depend On Your Postal Code
The YMCA’s affordable programs, coupled with financial assistance, provide a crucial bridge for those facing financial barriers, ensuring everyone can connect with their community and participate in life changing programs.
One in five children and youth, and one in eight adults receive financial assistance to participate in YMCA Calgary programs and membership. As a charity, we provide over $7 million each year in financial assistance for facility access, as well as health, wellness, recreation, camp and community programs. Annually, we raise $2.6 million, or 37% of the financial need required to support Calgarians facing financial hardship.
Growing our Annual Campaign will ensure we can continue to support the growing need for financial assistance and provide free community programs to ensure our programs are accessible for all.
Annual Campaign
Fundraising goal: $12.5 Million
A strong annual fundraising campaign is the safety net our community relies on in times of need.
Projected Annual outcomes:
- Over 14,650 subsidized memberships
- Over 12,000 subsidized program registrations
- Over 3,200 youth ignited their potential through YMCA Youth Empowerment Programs that foster leadership development, community connections and academic supports
Investing in community recreation improves physical activity, mental health, and social cohesion which are key drivers of population health and lead to reduced healthcare costs (Canadian Parks and Recreation Association).