The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka launched our new three-year Strategic Plan, Forward, Together, in July 2022. One year into our plan, we are pleased with our organization’s progress and advances toward our goals as outlined in our four strategic directions. Here are some of the achievements we’ve made together this past year:
As we work towards a brighter future using our new strategic plan as a guide, we are confident that we will be able to meet the needs of the communities we serve as we move forward, together.
To learn more, click here.
What is our purpose?
A community-building charity that connects people to each other and to experiences designed to build health and strength, skills and confidence, and opportunities for exploration and growth.
What do we want to achieve?
Vibrant and connected communities where everyone belongs.
What guides our decision-making? (Click each value to learn more)
• The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka launched our new strategic plan, ‘Forward, Together’ to guide our charity’s important work throughout the next three years.
• The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka announced our renewed Mission, Vision, and Values to better reflect the current environment, the changing needs of our communities, and our goals moving forward.
• The YMCA Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) program hosted its first annual free Community Day event to educate newcomers and their families about public safety and community services in our region.
• YMCA Immigrant Services, in partnership with the County of Simcoe, City of Orillia, and the Orillia Public Library, hosted a free Lunch & Learn event to educate the Orillia community and newcomers on local immigration supports.
• Throughout the summer of 2022, Camp Kitchikewana welcomed back 650 campers for the first time in two years since the start of the pandemic.
• The YMCA was recognized on the Forbes list of Canada’s Best Employers 2022.
• The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka launched Y Achieve, a free tutoring program for all Simcoe County District School Board students in grades 6 to 12.
• The YMCA was proud to present 22 local youth with Advanced Aquatics scholarships in Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, and Midland, helping youth develop essential life-saving skills.
• The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka signed the Canada-Wide Early Learning Child Care (CWELCC) Agreement, making a commitment to families in our communities to reduce fees and increase access to quality YMCA Child Care.
• The Collingwood YMCA’s Inclusive Halloween Party, in partnership with the Children’s Treatment Network, returned for the first time in two years, enabling children of all ages and abilities to enjoy indoor, barrier-free trick or treating and activities.
• The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka’s Spotlight Gala returned for the first time in three years, raising over $50,000 in support of youth programs.
• Thanks to caring donors from across the region and a matching gift from an anonymous donor, the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka raised $37,000 on Giving Tuesday to strengthen our efforts to build healthy communities.
• The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka received a Community Development Grant from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities to reduce financial barriers for participants in aquatics programming, as well as increase program capacity through paid training support for qualified lifeguards and instructors.
• The YMCA introduced “Y Beyond Walls” in Barrie community spaces to bring traditional YMCA programming in new, flexible and inclusive ways to community members outside of our Health, Fitness & Aquatics facilities.
• The YMCA received $6.9 million in funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada to expand the Y Mind youth mental wellness program across Canada, including here in Simcoe/Muskoka.
• The RBC Foundation generously donated $50,000 to support YMCA Immigrant Services to help newcomers navigate the health and social care systems.
• The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka launched the new Youth Transitions Program, aimed to provide vulnerable students ages 12-19 with support at critical academic transition points.
• The YMCA in Canada was recognized as one of Canada’s Best Employers in 2023 by Forbes.
• The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, Barrie Police Services, and the Barrie Public Library partnered to deliver the new Creating Connections series for newcomers to learn about community programs and services in Barrie.
• The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka hosted four public engagement sessions in Orillia to gather input about the needs of the community, and how the Y might be able to play a role in meeting those needs in the future.
• The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka announced its selection of 535 Bayview Drive in Barrie as the potential location for the new Barrie YMCA. • Our 9th annual Move to Give fundraising event was a huge success, raising over $75,000 and engaging over 1,500 participants to support our Y’s efforts to build vibrant and connected communities.
• The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, in partnership with the County of Simcoe, supported the rehousing of 61 Ukrainian newcomers and their families, finding them permanent, affordable housing to start their new lives in Canada. • The 2023 Skid Watson YMCA Scholarships were awarded to three secondary school students in Orillia to assist with their post-secondary education.
“Having somewhere where Ophelia could go, where I knew that she would be safe and she would be included was really important to us as a family.”
– Stephanie, Ophelia’s Mom
“Having somewhere where Ophelia could go, where I knew that she would be safe and she would be included was really important to us as a family.”
– Stephanie, Ophelia’s Mom
“Not one of the agencies across our community, including us, has answers to everything. But when you look at complex societal challenges, the best way to address those is with a collaborative approach with multi-agency response.”
– Chief Rich Johnson, Barrie Police Services
“The purpose of (Legacy Gifts) is the comfort in knowing that there will be funding to pursue what Kitchi has meant to me and that, no doubt, will result in being very impactful in young lives going forward.”
– Jim, YMCA Camp Kitchikewana Donor
“The purpose of (Legacy Gifts) is the comfort in knowing that there will be funding to pursue what Kitchi has meant to me and that, no doubt, will result in being very impactful in young lives going forward.”
– Jim, YMCA Camp Kitchikewana Donor
dedicated employees helped us deliver vital programs and services to our communities.
staff celebrated milestone years with the YMCA.
3 years – 21 staff / 5 years – 41 staff / 10 years – 14 staff / 15 years – 10 staff / 20 years – 5 staff / 25 years – 3 staff
volunteers dedicated their time and talent.
volunteer hours helped support YMCA programs.
in grants received by our YMCA.
awarded in scholarships to 50 local youth, furthering their educational opportunities.
generous donors gave to our Y.
raised through our annual fundraising events.
campers attended YMCA Day Camps.
weeks of Day Camp were experienced by children.
campers attended YMCA Camp Kitchikewana.
weeks of overnight camp were experienced by children at YMCA Camp Kitchikewana.
students participated in the Y’s outdoor education programs.
children were given a safe space to play, grow, and learn through our licensed Child Care and Before & After School Care programs.
Infant: 77
Toddler: 374
Preschool: 770
Before/After School: 2,221
March Break: 1,210
PA Day/Holiday: 2,741
Summer Kids Club: 1,148
newcomers were welcomed and given support by YMCA Immigrant Services.
newcomers participated in 7 language development programs to improve their literacy skills and prepare for their citizenship test.
newcomer children and their families accessed settlement supports through their schools in partnership with the Y’s Settlement Worker in Schools (SWIS) program.
youth gained valuable skills, found jobs, and started their leadership journey with the YMCA.
students participated in the Y’s outdoor education programs.
people were supported in finding meaningful employment.
individuals were given the tools to improve their literacy, mathematics, and computer skills.
employers posted over 2,600 job vacancies through the Y’s job board, encouraging local business growth.
people visited our Employment Services Centres in person and virtually to find support.
members stayed active and healthy while building a sense of belonging and community at the Y.
members joined Y@Home+, our virtual Y community that offers live and on-demand programming.
children and youth learned how to swim at the YMCA, gaining confidence and developing lifelong skills.
in financial assistance was provided to individuals and families to participate in health, fitness, and aquatics programs.
families received financial assistance to access YMCA health, fitness, and aquatics programs.
in financial assistance went to families so their children could attend summer camp.
children and youth attended camp with support from the Y’s financial assistance program.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse.
Jill Tettmann, Chief Executive Officer
Fiona Cascagnette, Vice President of Children & Youth Development
Lianne Gorbell, Manager of Executive & Association Services
Laura Kelly, Senior Director of Philanthropy
Pamela Marck, Vice President of Strategy & Innovation
Karen Pulla, Vice President of Health, Wellness & Community Impact
Kate Venn, Vice President of People and Culture & Risk Management
Vimal Vyas, Vice President of Finance, IT & AMG
Todd Young, Chair
Rob Reid, Vice Chair
Lynn Strachan, Past Chair
Mary Anne Alexander
Barb Baguley
Laura Brewer
Sarah Hunter
Pam Kinzie
Rob Mauro
Emily Parker
Stefanie Pereira
Ravella Wiles
Todd Young, Chair
Rob Reid, Vice Chair
Lynn Strachan, Past Chair
Mary Anne Alexander
Barb Baguley
Laura Brewer
Sarah Hunter
Pam Kinzie
Rob Mauro
Emily Parker
Stefanie Pereira
Ravella Wiles
As a charity, the Y provides a wide breadth of programs and services to our community, many at no cost to participants – but we can’t do it alone. The strength of our community is rooted in the generous support of individuals, like you, who know the value of the Y. There are many ways to support the YMCA, and help our community members feel valued, supported, and most importantly, connected.
Monthly Giving is an easy, convenient, and affordable way to give to your Y. Small consistent efforts add up to make a big and meaningful impact.
Sponsor a program or event to show your support for your community.
Partner with the Y to provide a program or service that makes an impact on our community. Together, we can achieve more!
Donate your time and help change someone’s life.
Join our team and help deliver vital programs and services to our communities.
$42,361
$40,326
$2,035