CDBplan
Join us Wednesday, March 20th (12pm – 2pm) at the Lunenburg County YMCA! 75 High Street, Bridgewater, NS What to expect:David Costello, from Service Canada, will share information on the Canadian Dental Benefit Plan, as well run an Application Clinic after his presentation (working one-on-one to get you registered in the plan). Entertainment by: Janice Rahme and the FUN Ukelele BandJoin us from 12pm – 1pm and the musical stylings of the FUN Ukelele Band! We will also having Coffee & Tea from one of our local cafes, Fancy Pants! Can’t make it? That’s okay! Download information sheets below: Pamphlet CDB Plan Info Application Guide
NHLSTREETs2
NHL STREET season 2 is coming to the South Shore! Having fun, staying active, making friends and creating great memories. For Youth ages 6 to 16, NHL STREET athletes will feel like the pros when they suit up in authentic uniforms to play in high-energy, team-first leagues. NHL STREET is designed to provide kids and their families the best of what youth sports can be: having fun, staying active, making friends, and creating great memories. That’s why the NHL is inviting you to join a local street hockey league—or launch a new league in your community—where kids of all skill levels can learn and play. When you join NHL STREET™, you can expect a fast-paced game that teaches teamwork, creativity, and resilience. Created with parents in mind, we’re ensuring the pressure, schedules, and costs typically associated with hockey (and other youth sports) are kept in check. No ice. Limited rules. Unlimited fun. Discover hockey more accessible and affordable than ever before. Looking to register? Head HERE! If you are looking for more information, have any questions, or would like to be put on a waiting-list for the next season of NHL STREET, please contact Tate Vachon, Recreation Program Lead at: [email protected]
Membership Cost Increase
You are part of so much more than a place to workout As a charitable organization, our goal is to make outstanding facilities, programs and experiences available to everyone in our community. Continuing to do that in an environment of rising costs and increasing minimum wage, requires we make a modest adjustment to our rates in order to keep your YMCA experience at its best. At the heart of our mission lies a commitment to ensuring everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, has access to the tools they need to thrive. With this in mind, we understand that any increase in our gym membership prices may impact individuals differently. We want to reassure you this decision was made after careful consideration of various factors, including the need to maintain high-quality facilities, offer diverse programs, and provide exceptional services to all our members. If your financial situation has changed, your YMCA is here for you. The YMCA is a thriving community of members who are here to help support one another so we can all shine brightly into our future. Our purpose is to help individuals grow in spirit, mind, and body through a supportive network, and we work hard to make sure that money is not a barrier for anyone to join us. Through charitable donations, fundraising, and other sources, the YMCA of Southwest NS is able to offer assistance so anyone in our community can participate in YMCA programs. Need help getting started, or have questions? Come see your Membership Staff at the Lunenburg County YMCA! Please see the full list of price increase information below: YMCA + LCLC Joint Membership Adult 47.21 Adult annual ………………………………………………………………. $509.45 Senior (60+) $39.56 Senior (60+) annual …………………………………………………. $427.43 Youth (18-) $27.04 Youth (18-) annual ……………………………………………………. $291.11 Couple $87.34 Couple annual …………………………………………. $942.35 1-Parent Family 88.88 1-Parent Family annual ………………………………………….. $969.60 Parent + Child $76.50 Parent + Child annual ……………………………………………… $835.95 2-Parent Family $100.69 2-Parent Family annual …………………………………………. $1,097.18 NSCC (with ID) $27.37 NSCC (with ID) annual …………………………………………. $295.69 University Student (with ID) $36.91 2-Parent Family annual …………………………………………. $393.40
International Women’s Day 2024
On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the achievements of women at the YMCA and the contributions they make to helping communities thrive. With women representing over 80% of the Canadian YMCA’s workforce and leadership positions nationally, we understand the positive impact and boundless opportunities when women and girls can reach their full potential. Many women and girls face a world that tries to define what they can or can’t do, or should or shouldn’t do. It is even harder for women who have been marginalized due to inequalities based on race, class, sexuality, gender identity, and other forms of discrimination. At the YMCA we are committed to our responsibility to ensure gender inclusion in our facilities, workplaces, and programs for all women. We are dedicated to creating spaces where women of every background can thrive and show up as their whole selves. This includes staff, volunteers, members, and participants. When we all can shine, our communities will shine brightest.
Grand opening of Infant Care Space!
The YMCA is the largest provider of licensed not-for-profit childcare in the province. As we expand to serve new communities and more families throughout Nova Scotia, we will continue to provide the high-quality, inclusive and affordable play-based early learning experience that the YMCA is known for. Families looking for child care along the South Shore will see 129 new and opening spaces in licensed centres and family homes thanks to provincial and federal funding. “Greater access to child care is good news for South Shore families,” said Becky Druhan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. “We are committed to expanding spaces and ensuring families have access to high-quality, affordable child care when and where they need it.” The investment in these expansions is about $2.7 million, through the Canada-Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement 2021-2026. “These new child-care spaces will help ensure families on the South Shore have increased access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive early learning and child care. This is a win for families in Nova Scotia and will give South Shore children the best possible start in life” said Karina Gould, federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development CEO Yvonne Smith says, “The expansion of infant spaces at the YMCA in Bridgewater will make a real difference for families in this community. There is a significant need for infant care in rural communities across Nova Scotia, including the South Shore. The YMCA is committed to delivering high-quality, accessible child care and serving the needs of families. We look forward to working in partnership with the government to continue to develop solutions for a child-care system that is accessible, affordable and inclusive.” Quick Facts: – 120 before and after school spaces for school-age children were added in South Shore schools last year to provide a seamless day of care for young children; planning is underway for hundreds more spaces across the province – in 2022, Nova Scotia reduced parent fees for child care by 50 per cent on average and is on track to achieve $10 a day on average by 2026 – 1,500 new centre-based and family home child-care spaces are being created across the province – Nova Scotia has increased its investment in early learning and child care by $83 million, for a total investment of $277 million in 2023 – Through the Canada-Nova Scotia Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement 2021-2026, the Government of Canada is contributing $605 million over five years for early learning and child care in the province YMCA Child Care operates with consistent best practices and standards across the country. We employ qualified educators who fulfill our high expectations for program delivery. All YMCA Child Care programs are licensed under Early Learning and Child Care Act and with regular evaluation to ensure quality in Child Care practices; the YMCA adheres to, or in many cases exceeds, requirements. They are also inspected annually to confirm compliance by Ministry standards. Our dedicated staff have personal qualities of friendliness, warmth, and the ability to relate openly to children. The staff are certified by an Early Childhood Education training facility and have appropriate First Aid training. We also strive to have our substitute teachers and program volunteers appropriately trained. All staff, substitutes and volunteers are screened through the Child Abuse registry and police checks.
YMCA Childcare Programs expanding into Queens County
The YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia is thrilled to announce the official opening of the Liverpool YMCA Childcare Centre in Liverpool, Nova Scotia; centrally located in the Town of Liverpool at 108 College Street. As the largest non-profit childcare provider in Nova Scotia, the YMCA is so pleased to continue-on with the great work Queen’s Daycare has been providing for so many years. “We cannot wait to now become a part of your lives. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank the dedicated Queens Daycare Board of Directors for all they have done over the years and for allowing us the privilege to embark upon this new journey with all of you,” says Chief Executive Officer, Yvonne Smith. “The YMCA of Southwest NS is committed to providing high-quality childcare services, which has always been at the forefront of our mission. In line with this commitment, our childcare services in the Queen County community will continue to be operated as a not-for-profit organization.” What to expect from our not-for-profit childcare services:
Atlantic Canada YMCAs to Provide Life-Changing Experiences for 1,300 Kids this Summer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 1, 2024 YMCA camps in Atlantic Canada are gearing up to offer transformative experiences for children this summer. With a focus on fostering friendships, nurturing self-confidence, promoting independence, and building resilience, YMCA camps have long been recognized as catalysts for positive growth in young individuals. For many children, attending camp is a dream that can only be realized with the generous support of their communities. By giving the gift of camp, donors enable campers to develop a deeper appreciation for nature, their community, and most importantly, themselves. From March 1 to April 30, YMCA branches across Atlantic Canada will unite in an ambitious initiative to send 1,300 kids to camp this summer. Understanding the unique challenges faced by each community, the YMCA has conducted thorough research to ensure that barriers to camp participation, whether financial, transportation-related, or cultural, are systematically addressed. “With your support, we aim to remove obstacles for all kids, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to shine bright at camp,” says Anna Barnes, Vice President, YMCA Atlantic Regional Development Centre (RDC). “By providing children with this enriching experience, we can help them grow, connect with others, and build their confidence. Our goal is to extend this opportunity to as many children as possible.” The YMCA’s initiative underscores its commitment to fostering inclusive and supportive environments where all children can thrive. By contributing to the Give the Gift of Camp campaign, individuals can directly impact the lives of children in their communities, empowering them to explore, learn, and grow in a safe and nurturing setting. “We’re asking Atlantic Canada to come together and ignite the potential of 1,300 kids at YMCA camps this summer,” says Sabrina Vatcher, CEO, YMCA of Cape Breton. “By supporting our fundraising campaign, you are opening the door to an unforgettable summer for children in your community.” To learn more about how you can support the Give the Gift of Camp initiative and provide life-changing experiences for children in need, visit: ymcasouthwestns.ca/donate -30- ABOUT THE ATLANTIC YMCAS The YMCA is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. The YMCAs in Atlantic Canada (New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia) are comprised of 11 YMCA Member Associations: The YMCA of Greater Moncton, YMCA of Fredericton, YMCA of G Southwestern New Brunswick, YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia, YMCA of Cape Breton, Pictou County YMCA, YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth, YMCA of Cumberland, YMCA of Newfoundland and Labrador, YMCA of Exploits Valley, YMCA of Western Newfoundland) YMCA’s create opportunities for personal growth, foster connection, and support change. The YMCA ensures that everyone has access to the essentials needed to learn, grow, and thrive. Though the world may be unpredictable, the YMCA remains a constant: dedicated to building healthy, strong, and connected communities where everyone belongs. MEDIA CONTACTBronte’ JamesDirector of Funds Development & Community [email protected]