From April 11 to 18, YMCA Health, Fitness & Aquatics centres and Employment Service centres across the region—including right here in Huntsville—will host a variety of events designed to bring people together and inspire action. At the heart of Move to Give is a shared commitment to inclusivity and support. Every dollar raised helps break down financial barriers, opening the doors to YMCA programs and services for more individuals and families in need.

This year, the Y is aiming high with a goal of raising $100,000, and the Huntsville YMCA Employment & Learning Services Centre is stepping up with an exciting Cycle-a-thon event! On Tuesday, April 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., YMCA staff and visitors will take turns pedaling on spin bikes to raise funds for the Y’s Learning Services department. These funds will directly support programs and initiatives that empower individuals to learn, grow, and thrive.

Last year, this dedicated team raised over $5,000—an incredible achievement! With the support of our community, the Y is confident they can reach this milestone again. Whether you’re hopping on a bike or cheering from the sidelines, we’d love to see you at the Huntsville YMCA Employment & Learning Services Centre, located at 60 King William Street.

Let’s shine brighter together! To join the fun or support the Huntsville YMCA team, visit www.MoveToGive.ca. Together, we can create a stronger, healthier, and more connected community.

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The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is thrilled to announce that the locally owned and operated Home Hardware Stores in Collingwood, Barrie, Gravenhurst, Midland, Orillia, Parry Sound, and Wasaga Beach have come together to serve as this year’s Giving Tuesday matching donor, doubling the impact of gifts to the local charity while matching funds last on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.

Rooted in community, the owners of these Home Hardware Stores are demonstrating what’s possible when local businesses invest in the communities they serve. Their collective support will help ignite powerful moments of confidence, connection, and belonging at YMCA’s across our region, creating opportunities for individuals and families to reach their full potential.

The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka would like to thank the following Home Hardware Stores for their support:

• Home Hardware Building Centre, Collingwood
• Allandale Home Hardware Building Centre, Barrie
• United Lumber Home Hardware Building Centre, Barrie
• Home Building Centre, Gravenhurst
• Home Hardware Building Centre, Midland
• Home Hardware Building Centre, Orillia
• Home Hardware, Parry Sound
• Beach Builders Suppliers, Wasaga Beach

Giving Tuesday is a global day that celebrates the power of generosity, and a moment for individuals, communities, and organizations to unite around the causes they care about most. For the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, it is an opportunity to highlight the programs and services that strengthen our communities, while raising essential funds that ensure access for all, making it possible for everyone to benefit from the moments of confidence, connection, and belonging that happen at the Y every day.

“Gifts made to the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka on Giving Tuesday will strengthen our efforts to ignite powerful, life-changing moments for members of our communities”, says Jill Tettmann, President and CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. “A huge thank you to the local Home Hardware Stores for their generous support as our matching donor, helping funds raised go even further in our community to assist those who need it most.”

Operating in nearly 80 locations across the region, the YMCA is committed to creating vibrant and connected communities where everyone belongs. The YMCA’s diverse programs, which range from child care, camp, and health and fitness, to youth development, and immigrant and employment services, are designed to help all individuals connect and have a safe place to learn, grow, and thrive. One in ten individuals relies on financial assistance to access the YMCA’s programs, made possible in part through generous donations.

Donations to the YMCA help people like Crystal, a YMCA Learning Services client, access life-changing programs and services at little to no cost to them. “I wouldn’t be speaking. I wouldn’t be reading. I wouldn’t be doing any of this without the people at the Y and these programs,” she shared.

Help spark more life changing moments like Crystal’s this Giving Tuesday. For more information on how to support the YMCA, or to donate, community members can visit: www.GiveToTheY.ca.

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Open to the public, Community Days aim to improve physical and mental well-being by providing everyone, regardless of age or ability, with access to a variety of YMCA drop-in programs through free day passes. From group fitness classes and open swims to individual conditioning, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re already familiar with the YMCA or are visiting for the first time, these passes offer a wonderful opportunity to explore what the Y has to offer.

“We’re incredibly grateful to ParticipACTION for their generous grant, which allows us to host Community Days and help remove financial barriers to health and wellness,” said Jill Tettmann, President & CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. “At the YMCA, we believe that everyone should have access to opportunities that help them grow and thrive physically, emotionally, and socially. These free passes reflect our commitment to creating inclusive, supportive spaces where all members of the community can improve their well-being.”

Community Days are part of the YMCA’s ongoing mission to strengthen communities and promote healthy, active lifestyles. Visitors to the YMCA during the month of June can participate in a variety of activities tailored for individuals, families, and groups. For local program schedules, visit www.ymcaofsimcoemuskoka.ca/schedules.

To access a free day pass, residents can visit their local YMCA locations in Collingwood, Gravenhurst, Innisfil (upon reopening), Midland, and Wasaga Beach on Saturdays and Sundays in June, or sign up online at www.YMCAOnlinePortal.ca using the promo code ACTION2025.

For more information about ParticipACTION’s Community Challenge, visit www.participaction.com/programs/community-challenge/. To learn more about YMCA services and programs, please visit www.ymcaofsimcoemuskoka.ca.

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Last week, the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka wrapped up its 11^th annual Move to Give fundraising event. The YMCA is pleased to announce that the event exceeded their fundraising goal, raising over $135,000 with more donations still coming in thanks to the community’s overwhelming generosity. Funds raised go directly to supporting the communities the Y serves across Simcoe, Muskoka, and the District of Parry Sound.

Over 1,100 participants from Simcoe, Muskoka, and Parry Sound joined together to take part in customized signature community events across the region in April. These events included pickleball tournaments, cycle-a-thons, rubber duck races, silent auctions, a mini ‘prom’ for child care participants and their parents, and more, all in support of the YMCA’s programs and services.

“It was incredible to see the support from our communities once again for this exciting fundraising event,” said Jill Tettmann, President and CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. “Participants of all ages came together to celebrate and support the YMCA, some for the 11^th year in a row. We are deeply moved by the support and generosity of the community, from our donors, participants, community partners, and sponsors. Thanks to all who made this year’s Move to Give event such a resounding success,” said Tettmann.

Over the past eleven years, Move to Give has raised over $1,000,000 and brought together thousands of people across Simcoe, Muskoka, and Parry Sound – all working towards achieving the same goal – building vibrant and connected communities where everyone belongs. Move to Give not only raises funds to provide participants in need with financial assistance each year, but it also raises awareness about the YMCA’s programs, services, and impact on the community, while inspiring healthy, active living.

“As a charity, the success of Move to Give has a tremendous impact on the communities we serve”, said Kate Meeks, Senior Director of Philanthropy at the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. A Move to Give participant shared how this impact influenced their life, and why they participated in this year: “The Y provided us with a really safe space, and amazing community. People who asked and cared. The idea of giving back through a fundraiser is the least that we could do.”

The YMCA also received the support of many local businesses through sponsorship of the event:

• Platinum Sponsor: Corus Entertainment – Big 101.1 FM, Fresh Radio 93.1, and The Peak 95.1 FM.
• Gold Sponsor and Presenting Media Sponsor: Central Ontario Broadcasting – 107.5 Kool FM, Rock 95, and Barrie 360.
• Bronze Sponsors: Rotary Club of Innisfil, PUSH Promotions, Allegra Barrie.
• Community Sponsors: Innisfil Backyard Bounce, SpeedPro Signs Barrie, The State Group, Lions Club of Innisfil, Matrix.
• Local Sponsor: Triple Tech.

“We are truly grateful for the generosity and support of our community, who have demonstrated their commitment to our mission of promoting health, wellness, and community development,” remarked Tettmann.

Tettmann also acknowledged the hard work and dedication that YMCA staff and volunteers put into planning, organizing, and running the 11^th annual Move to Give fundraising event – “This event is a huge undertaking, and our incredible staff and volunteer teams are a vital part of making Move to Give a success. Thank you for sharing your passion for the Y with everyone who participated,” praised Tettmann.

If you would like to support Move to Give and haven’t had a chance to do so yet, it’s not too late – visit their website at www.MoveToGive.ca to learn more.

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The YMCA, alongside five other institutions, recently received a Changemaker Workplace Champion award at the Barrie Chamber of Commerce as part of the opening of a new space for community innovation and collaboration.   

This recognition underscores the YMCA’s dedication to fostering social innovation by embedding it into its culture, programming, and operations, while empowering young changemakers across the region. As part of this groundbreaking initiative, the YMCA is launching the Youth Changemaker Leadership Institute, the first program of its kind in Simcoe County and Muskoka. 

“This program represents a bold step toward building a region of changemakers,” said Pamela Marck, Vice President of Innovation and Strategy at the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. “By empowering young people with the skills, confidence, and mindset to drive positive change, we are investing in the future of our communities.”  

The Youth Leadership Changemaking Program will kick off this summer, offering a dynamic one-week experience designed to inspire and equip youth aged 9-14 with the tools to create meaningful change in their communities. The program will run during the following weeks and locations: 

•  July 14 to 18 – 499 Raglan St., Collingwood (Georgian College – John Di Poce South Georgian Bay Campus)
• July 21 to 25 – 825 Memorial Ave., Orillia (Georgian College – Orillia Campus)
• July 28 to August 1 – 111 Wellington St., Bracebridge (Georgian College – Muskoka Campus)
• August 11 to 15 – 560 Little Lake Park Rd., Midland (Midland YMCA)
• August 18 to 22 – 121 Commerce Park Dr. Unit A, Barrie (Barrie Chamber of Commerce)

With a long history of youth leadership development, the idea of changemaking and developing future changemakers is something the YMCA is embracing through a growing partnership with Georgian, Canada’s first and only Ashoka-designated changemaker college.  

Through the Youth Changemaker Leadership Institute, the YMCA also receives a designation from #ChangeTheNow, a social-focused movement to build regions of changemakers by delivering hands-on community projects for youth through supporting organizations and schools. Youth are encouraged to develop critical thinking, collaboration, empathy, and leadership skills and apply them to the issues that matter to them most. 

As part of #ChangeTheNow, participants will also have access to a network of changemakers through the YMCA’s partnership with Georgian College and its affiliation with the global network of Ashoka U Changemaker Campuses. 

“This is an incredible new initiative developed by the YMCA and we’re excited to support scaling the youth-lead changemaking movement beyond our walls at Georgian and into the community. We’re excited to see the impact it has and to have the YMCA join us in this work,” said Nicole Norris, Director, Social Innovation, Georgian College. 

Registration for the YMCA’s Youth Changemaker Leadership Institute is now open. To learn more about the program, including how to register, visit YMCAChangemakers.ca. Spaces are limited, so families are encouraged to register early.

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As the new year begins, the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is reflecting on the accomplishments of the past year. The release of its 2023-2024 Annual Report highlights significant achievements in advancing its mission to build vibrant, connected communities where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

“Our 2023-2024 Annual Report highlights the incredible strides the YMCA has made toward creating a stronger, more connected community,” said Jill Tettmann, President and CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. “As we continue to implement our ‘Forward, Together’ Strategic Plan, we remain focused on building meaningful connections, fostering a positive workplace culture, and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations. With the support of our dedicated staff, volunteers, board of directors, community partners, and generous donors, we are confident in our ability to help individuals and families reach their full potential.”

The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is pleased to share highlights from their 2023-2024 Annual Report, showcasing the impact made in communities this past year:

• Raised $3.7 million through fundraising efforts and strategic campaigns.
• Welcomed and supported 18,443 newcomers.
• Supported 954 youth to develop valuable skills, secure employment, and begin their leadership journeys.
• Taught 8,529 individuals to swim at YMCA Health, Fitness, and Aquatic centres.
• Provided safe spaces to play, learn, and grow for more than 4,800 children in YMCA licensed Child Care and Before & After School Care programs.
• Supported 2,766 people who accessed YMCA Employment and Learning Services.
• Provided financial assistance to 1,222 individuals, enabling access to YMCA health, fitness, aquatics, and camp programs.
• Dedicated volunteers devoted over 20,365 hours supporting YMCA programs.

The local charity shared the moments that matter and how the YMCA is fulfilling its mission of bringing communities together through experiences that foster skill development, self-confidence, increased health and strength, and opportunities for exploration and growth.

The report also highlights stories from YMCA community members, including Diane, a volunteer at the Midland YMCA who teaches fitness classes for seniors, supporting them to thrive both physically and mentally through community experience. To hear more about Diane’s Y story, please click here.

The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka’s commitment to building vibrant and connected communities remains unwavering, and they look forward to the next year and continuing to collaborate with community members and organizations on achieving this, together.

To view the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka’s 2023-2024 Annual Report, please click here.

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A total of $37,000 raised with big boost from matching donor – the Buckley Macdonald Youth Fund – will help change lives

The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is proud to announce that its recent fundraising efforts raised $37,000 to support the Y’s mission of building vibrant and connected communities in Simcoe County, Muskoka, and the District of Parry Sound.

With a commitment to support and strengthen the YMCA’s community-building work throughout 2025, the Buckley MacDonald Youth Fund matched donations dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000, helping to turbo-charge the generosity of individuals across the region.

The funds raised will help expand access to YMCA programs and services, enabling more individuals and families to lead healthier, more connected lives across the Y’s 80+ service locations in the region. These programs range from child care, camps, and health and fitness to youth development, immigrant services, and employment support. This generosity from the community ensures that people of all ages, stages, and backgrounds have a safe space to learn, grow, and thrive.

“Our local donors make a profound difference in their communities,” said Jill Tettmann, President and CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. “These donations are essential to providing access to the Y’s critical programs and services, particularly for individuals and families who may not be able to afford full fees. From helping youth overcome challenges to welcoming immigrants as they build new lives, every gift supports life-changing experiences.”

The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka extended its heartfelt gratitude to the Buckley MacDonald Youth Fund for their impactful contribution. “We are deeply committed to the mission of the YMCA, a mission that holds enormous significance to our communities,” said Gerard Buckley from the Buckley MacDonald Youth Fund. “Every dollar given is a statement of faith in our young people, it’s a testament to our collective belief in their potential. We match these donations because we believe in amplifying that belief. Mary and I believe that giving back to our community is one of the most meaningful commitments that we can make – it strengthens us, it unifies us, and it underscores the importance of supporting youth to lead healthier, more connected lives. Together, we can shape the future of our community, one young person at a time.”

The YMCA expressed gratitude to all donors for their contributions toward building vibrant, connected communities where everyone belongs. The funds raised play a vital role in transforming the lives of individuals and families through the YMCA’s programs and services. This ongoing impact is made possible by the dedication and generosity of donors, partners, and community members who support the YMCA’s mission.

For more information on how to support the Y or to make a donation, please visit www.GiveToTheY.ca.

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