While July 1st is a time of celebration and rest for many, YMCA Canada would also like to recognize how challenging a year it has been. There has been a lot to be thankful for, but this is also a time to pause and reflect on where we have been, and where we want to be as a country.
In recent months, we have witnessed the discovery of the remains of 215 children buried on the grounds of the Kamloops Residential School, the 104 remains uncovered at the former site of the Brandon Residential School, and the 751 remains found at the former site of the Marieval Indian Residential School at Cowessess, Saskatchewan, and with the knowledge that many more discoveries are to come. In the same time period, we have also witnessed the Islamophobic attacks in London, Ontario, and a documented rise in Anti-Asian hate crimes. This is not the Canada we want to be.
We have a lot of work to do to live up to the promise of the Canada We Want. The Canada We Want is a place where oppressive and systemic barriers have been removed and replaced by opportunity, and where all have a deep sense of belonging. And we know a lot more work, by a lot more people and organizations, including ours, is needed to get us there.
As one of Canada’s largest service charities, the YMCA has a role to play in fostering social inclusion. Over the last year we have been expanding our focus on anti-racism and addressing systemic discrimination, including creating learning opportunities for staff and volunteers, working with community partners, and conducting research on our practices to help us understand how we can better reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. We will continue to invest in these efforts and engage in listening, learning, and improving, to ensure that the YMCA is a space that is safe and welcoming for everyone.
Canada continues to grow and develop as a country, and we can choose what kind of country we want to be. By fostering belonging and inclusion in our organizations and in our communities, we can be the Canada We Want.
Here’s to building that better future, while never forgetting where we’ve been.
August 13, 2021
Dear Members, Visitors, and the greater community,
Thank you to everyone for being patient with us while we continue to navigate the loss of our space in Basinview Centre. We know many of you have been waiting on updates about the future of the Fundy YMCA, credits on your accounts, program offerings, etc.
The YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia has been operating for over 30 years and the Fundy YMCA has been an important part of this community for almost 10 years. There is still much uncertainty about the long terms plans for the Fundy YMCA, but what we do know is that it will likely look different than it has in the past. However, we have been offering, and plan to continue to offer, valuable services and programs to this community.
Changing in response to the current times is what has helped the YMCA persist for over 170 years as an organization. This is one of those times where we must adapt. The process will unfold over several months and while we may not have all the answers at this time, our commitment to the community remains steadfast.
Current Programs
Our team has worked very hard to put together and deliver high quality programming for children, youth, and families this summer. We are:
- Delivering swim lessons at Annapolis Community Pool
- Delivering swim lessons at Bear River First Nations
- Providing life guarding services at Annapolis Community Pool and Bear River First Nations
- Hosting community pop up events around Annapolis, Cornwallis, and Bear River
- Hosting a youth leadership workshop
- Running a summer day camp
We are absolutely delighted by the community response to all the programming we have on offer. You have shown up in droves to support us and we can not thank you all enough. We continue to pivot with the seasons. As summer day camp wraps up in just a couple of weeks, we are getting ready to expand our programming.
Upcoming Programs
Fitness
We are excited to announce that we will be opening a small cardio space, free weights area, and in person group fitness classes.
- The fitness space will operate out of Atlantis Hall – 180 Atlantic Avenue, Cornwallis, beginning on September 7, 2021
YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia Fundy YMCA fundyYMCA.com 902-638-9622
- We will have an open house on Friday, September 3, 2021, so that you can see the space, visit with us, and see your friends from the Y
- Access to this space will be $10.00 plus tax per week
- You will have the option to pay for multiple weeks at once if that is preferable to you
- The weekly rate will include all fitness areas, in person group fitness classes, and the YMCA@Home+ online catalogue of live and on demand group fitness classes
Childcare
- The Clark Rutherford Memorial School After School Program will kick off on September 7, 2021, based out of CRMS. Registration will open August 16, 2021.
- We are exploring opening after school programs at Champlain Elementary School and Bridgetown Regional Community School if we can secure: space, enough staff, and sufficient registrations
Financial
All memberships are on hold and no payments have been taken since April 2021. Memberships will remain on hold until further notice. For anyone who has a credit on their account from an Annual Membership, gift certificate, or another reason, we have options for you:
- If you would like to leave your credit with us as a donation towards our operations, we can issue you a tax receipt. We would love your support!
- If you would like to use your credit towards our programming on offer, we can set that up
- If you would like us to refund your credit, we are happy to arrange that for you
For all credit related enquiries, please contact us, starting August 30, 2021 at membership@fundyYMCA.com or call us at 902-638-9622. Please also contact us if your specific situation has not been addressed here.
Thank you for your continued support and trust in us. We look forward to seeing you in person soon!
Stay well,
Aimee Daigle
Centre Manager
Fundy YMCA
aimee.daigle@ns.ymca.ca
Yvonne Smith CEO
YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia
yvonne.smith@ns.ymca.ca
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