| The History & Mission
of the YMCA
The YMCA story is really about enriching communities and
lives by helping people grow in spirit, mind and body. From
fitness and health, to swimming and camping, child care, employment
training and international development, the list of YMCA service
achievements goes on and on.
The first YMCA opened in North America in Montreal on November
25, 1851. Originally a place for young men interested in putting
religious teachings into practice, the Y expanded to offer
public debates and lectures, language and music classes, exercise
and social activities.
By the year 1908, the YMCA reached Saskatoon. Funds were
raised to build a facility on the corner of 20th street and
Spadina Crescent, featuring a 60 x 20 foot swimming pool where
many Saskatoon youngsters learned to swim. The building opened
in early 1913 and was a busy centre of activity for six decades.
The present YMCA officially opened on September 6, 1969.
The Saskatoon YMCA serves over 6000 individuals through membership
and program participation. Services range from on-site and
in-school childcare to summer day camps to health, fitness
and recreation programs.
WHAT WE ARE TODAY
The YMCA of Saskatoon is an important multi-service charitable
organization. It is an association of people who are dedicated
to improving lives and communities.
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2002-07 Vision: Building a Healthier Future
The YMCA is a highly-valued charity serving its multicultural
community. With a strong presence and strategic partnerships,
the YMCA promotes programs and services that are:
- Inclusive and extraordinarily popular with children, youth,
seniors and families, and recognized for high quality
- Focused on health enhancement
- Delivered by caring, knowledgeable and well-trained volunteers
and staff
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Strategic Priorities
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
The YMCA's Mission makes it accountable to the community,
and it is an active contributor in meeting changing community
needs. It meets its Mission by delivering high-quality
programs and services, using its staff leadership and
working with community partners.
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OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
The YMCA's Vision commits to providing excellent member
and participant programs and services, supported by Priority
SAM standards, which are delivered by caring knowledgeable
and well-trained volunteers and staff, and supported by
its members and supporters year after year. |
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GIVING
There is a spirit of optimism as we look to the future
and the great potential of our highly-valued YMCA. By
giving of their time, talent and treasure, our members
and friends share that spirit as well. Driven by the belief
that amazing things happen when people come together,
we are always striving to increase the participation levels
of our caring donors and volunteers. |
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POSITIONING
Positioning is the need to communicate the value that
the YMCA brings to its community. It means differentiating
the YMCA from other providers of similar services by acknowledging
its charitable purpose, values-based programs, and partnerships
with those who have similar goals and values. YMCA's are
positioned in parts of the community they are needed most.
They are not a building, rather an organization. |
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YMCA of Saskatoon Objectives
- To foster healthy lifestyles
- To promote volunteerism
- To improve self-esteem
- To stimulate personal growth and development
- To increase leadership capacity
- To strengthen family togetherness
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Governance
The YMCA of Saskatoon is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors,
which is comprised of 17 representatives from the community,
who are responsible for the vision and the strategic direction
of the Association.
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Who We Serve & How
- Over 6000 children, youth, adults and seniors are served
annually through a YMCA experience.
- Over 400 campers participate in a YMCA Day Camp during
the summer.
- Over 150 children are enrolled in before-and-after school
programming at 10 elementary schools throughout the city.
- Over 15 children participate per day in school day care
throughout the year during common day or professional day
dismissals.
- We have been supporting 35 families at any given time
for more than 20 years with quality not-for-profit childcare
and now to 70 families with the addition of our second childcare
in Sutherland.
- Over 90 volunteers are involved in all aspects of YMCA
programming.
- Over 90 full, part time and seasonal staff, together with
our volunteers, help serve the needs of the Saskatoon community,
YMCA members and participants.
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Accessibility
No one is denied membership or program participation because
they are unable to pay the full membership or program fee.
Assistance is available to those in need.
YMCA is wheel chair accessible and is equipped with a pool
drop chair.
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YMCA Philanthropic Support
- In 2006, the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign raised over
$45,000 to provide financial assistance directly to those
children in our community who otherwise would not be able
to afford to participate in YMCA membership or programs.
- The YMCA receives significant funding from Saskatoon's
United Way to:
- Ensure that nobody is denied access to membership or programs
for financial reasons.
- Enable partner organizations to pay reduced rates for
their participants to access YMCA programs, services and
facilities.
- 12% of the total YMCA of Saskatoon membership receives
financial assistance.
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