YMCA of the National Capital Region

Text: Your opinion matters! Tell us about your membership experience at the YMCA. Image: Two girls embracing their parents. The background is red with a Y logo.

Y Members, we want to hear from you!

At our health and fitness centres, our goal is to help you achieve your well-being goals. We need your input to understand what we're doing well and how we can improve.

Take our 5-minute YMCA Member Experience Survey: survey.alchemer-ca.com/s3/50455969/...

Three Y staff members standing next to an IMPRESS vertical banner.

A Y staff member standing next to an IMPRESS vertical banner and a land acknowledgement on a television screen.

A room full of people seated in chairs and watching a presentation.

We had an inspiring time at the 2025 AAISA Settlement & Integration Conference in Edmonton, Alberta!

We connected with partners from across the country discuss how our IMPRESS platform is advancing performance measurement and equity-centered evaluation in the settlement sector.

Two women in a workout studio, dressed as a peacock and a witch.

A fitness instructor wearing devil horns on a stationary bike in a workout studio.

Three women wearing a calavera mask, a witch costume, and a peacock costume.

Two people in a workout studio dressed up as a peacock and Jack Skellington

That's the spirit! 🎃👻🦇

We loved seeing all the costumes and creativity at the Y last week. To all those who celebrate Halloween or Día de los Muertos, we hope you had a fantastic weekend!

Text: YMCA Household Membership. Join and get your first week free. Together, it's possible. Image: Two young men standing in a gym. One is lifting dumbbells with the Y logo on them. The Y logo is overlayed on the background.

Living with roommates? A YMCA household membership means shared access to the gym, pool, and fitness classes. Join today and get your first week free.

Become a Y Member: www.ymcaottawa.ca/programs-ser...

Offer ends November 30, 2025.

Text: Residential Building Science Field Pro Training. November 14, 2025. Want to take your expertise to the next level? Upskill with hands-on training at no cost. Image: Three men wearing personal protective equipment, at a work table. The Y Shine On logo is in the top left corner. Building Knowledge Canada Inc and Employment Ontario logos are at the bottom.

Do you work in the residential construction sector? 🛠️

Upgrade your skills with the Residential Building Science Field Pro Training course on November 14 at the Taggart Family Y. Gain expert insights to help you build durable, energy-efficient homes.

Register: www.ymcaottawa.ca/programs-ser...

Text: Rideau YMCA Child Care Centre. Rideau Community Hub (815 St. Laurent Blvd). Registration now open. Image: An Early Childhood Educator kneeling and smiling at a child. The Y Shine On logo is in the bottom right corner.

Registration is now OPEN for our new YMCA Child Care centre at the Rideau Community Hub (815 St. Laurent Blvd)!

15 toddler and 24 preschooler spaces are available on a first come, first served basis.

Learn more and register: www.ymcaottawa.ca/locations/ri...

Text: YMCA Household Membership. Join and get your first week free. Together, it's possible. Image: A mother holding her son wrapped in a towel. They are both smiling. The Y logo is in the background.

Discover countless possibilities for your family at the Y. Get your first week free with a household membership.

Become a Y Member today: www.ymcaottawa.ca/programs-ser...

Offer ends November 30, 2025.

A large group photo of Home Reno program graduates and Y staff. Some graduates are holding up their certificates.

A man smiling as someone pats him on the back. In the background is a yellow photo backdrop.

Four Y trades staff standing together and smiling.

A man speaking to a classroom of seated graduates. Behind him is a yellow backdrop with a string of letters that reads "Congrats grad". Next to him is a vertical banner that reads "Pre-Apprenticeship Home Renovation Training Program".

Congrats to our Pre-Apprenticeship Home Renovation Training Program graduates!

After 3 months of hard work, learning, and hands-on training, this amazing group has achieved something truly special. Nearly half of the class has already secured employment. 💪🎉

#SkilledTrades #OntarioTrades

Text: Residential Building Science Field Pro Training. November 14, 2025. Support your team's professional growth with technical skills training at no cost. Image: A woman smiling and crossing her arms. She is wearing personal protective equipment. The Y Shine On logo is in the top left. Building Knowledge and Employment Ontario logos are along the bottom.

Upskill your crew with the Residential Building Science Field Pro Training course on November 14 at the Taggart Family Y! 🛠️

This free, one-day course offers expert insights and hands-on training so your team can build more durable, energy-efficient homes.

Sign up: www.ymcaottawa.ca/programs-ser...

Text: Women's Retreat Day. Y Outdoor Centre. Saturday, November 1, 2025. Image: A woman sitting on fall leaves and raising her hands to the sky. The Y Shine On logo is in the top left corner.

Unwind and recharge at Women's Retreat Day 🧘‍♀️🌳

Escape to nature for a day of relaxation and adventure on Saturday, November 1 from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Enjoy archery, rock climbing, crafts, guided walks, yoga, and more at the Y Outdoor Centre.

RSVP: www.ymcaottawa.ca/locations/ym...

A group selfie in front of The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre booth

A team of four sitting with checklists at an outdoor picnic table

A group selfie of four Y staff in the Taggart Family Y lobby

A collage of two photos. Top photo: A group selfie of three Y team members and a community member wearing a Rainbow Dash headband. They are standing around the Y booth at an Agency Fair. Bottom photo: Four Y team members looking at papers on a table as they compete in the Amazing Youth Worker Race.

Yesterday, our YMCA Housing and Newcomer Services teams participated in the Amazing Youth Worker Race 🏁

We set up at the Agency Fair and cheered on our team who rose to the challenge! Shoutout to Gabby, our Youth Programs Manager, for co-organizing the event with incredible Ottawa organizations.

Ten Power of Trades graduates taking a selfie, a couple of them holding up peace signs.

A graduating class standing together in front of a yellow and black decorative banner and balloons. In front of them is a table with a yellow and black table cloth and a cake.

A table covered in various foods

A cake with yellow, blue and white icing. It is decorated with mini construction vehicles.

🎉🔧 Congratulations to the 44th graduating class of our Power of Trades program!

We are so proud of everything they have achieved and the determination they carried through this journey. We can't wait to see the careers they build. 🌟💼

#SkilledTrades #PowerOfTrades #BuildingFutures

Text: Fall Family Fun Day. Sunday, October 26, 2025. 10 AM to 3 PM. Y Outdoor Centre, 1620 Sixth Line Road, Dunrobin, Ontario. Image: A child smiling and holding fall leaves in a forest. His father is in the background. The Y Shine On logo is in the top left corner.

Celebrate the season together at Fall Family Fun Day! 🍂

Enjoy rock climbing, archery, campfire, fall-themed crafts like pumpkin painting, and more!

📍 Y Outdoor Centre
📅 Oct 26 | 10AM-3PM

Register today: www.ymcaottawa.ca/locations/ym...

Text: Ottawa Y Service Club Fundraiser Fall Flowers and Gifts. Taggart Family YMCA, 180 Argyle Avenue. October 6 to 10, 2025. 10 AM to 4 PM. Image: Orange, red, and pink potted mums on a doorstep. The Y Shine On logo is in the bottom left corner.

Add some autumnal spirit to your home, just in time for Thanksgiving weekend! 💐🍂

The Ottawa Y Service Club will be at the Taggart Family Y lobby every day this week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. selling flowers, chocolates, and greeting cards.

All proceeds support community initiatives.

Liz and Andrew from the YMCA taking a selfie in a bustling outdoor area. There are many runners in the background.

Liz and Andrew from our Y Housing Services team ran the 5K Race to End Homelessness on Saturday! 👟

Thanks to the Alliance To End Homelessness Ottawa for organizing!

You can still donate to our fundraiser: raceroster.com/events/2025/...

Text: "The YMCA helps me stay on track." Join for $1 for your first 14 days. Image: A woman using a cable resistance machine at the YMCA.

This is your sign to turn your dreams into routines with a community that supports you. Get your first 14 days at the Y for only $1.

Become a Y Member today: www.ymcaottawa.ca/programs-ser...

Offer ends October 15, 2025.

Text: Support the YMCA in the Race to End Homelessness! Donate. Register. Share. Image: A close-up on a runner's running shoes. There are more runners in the background. The Y Shine On logo and Race to End Homelessness logos are at the bottom.

On October 4, our Housing Team is joining the Race to End Homelessness! 🏃

Ottawa is in a housing crisis and we're meeting this challenge head-on by supporting those at risk.

Want to help us end homelessness? Donate to our team or join the race:

raceroster.com/events/2025/...

Text: September 30. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. Image: In the top left corner is the YMCA Shine On logo. In the middle is an orange t-shirt. On the t-shirt is the ‘Every Child Matters’ icon for 2025, which is a tree without leaves with branches in the middle that form a heart. A girl sits on the left side holding a feather and a boy sits on the right side also holding a feather.

Today is #NationalDayforTruthAndReconciliation & #OrangeShirtDay — a time to honour survivors and their families, and to reflect on the enduring legacy of residential schools.

Learn about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action: www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/15244945...

Premier Doug Ford standing with CEO Trevor McAlmont and VP Katie Sexton from the YMCA of the National Capital Region.

We’re building futures! 🛠️

We just received $984K from Ontario's Skills Development Fund to expand our YMCA Home Builders Training Program — helping more people gain the expertise and confidence to pursue careers in the skilled trades.

Announcement held at UA Local 71 in Ottawa.

A young camper crouched on a beach, holding up peace signs

Three campers posing with a counsellor outside a building

A group of campers and counsellors standing on a dock with kayaks. A city skyline is visible across the water.

Two campers climbing up a ropes course while a group of counsellors and campers watches

Can't summer last forever?! 🌤️

It's the first day of fall and we're already reminiscing about all the sunny, adventure-filled days we shared at Camp Otonabee this year. 😌💭

Text: Family Fun Day at Camp. YMCA Outdoor Centre. Sunday, September 28. 11 AM to 4 PM. Image: A father, daughter, and son smiling and running in a field. The Y Shine On logo is in the top right corner.

Outdoor adventure awaits at Family Fun Day! 🏞️

Experience a day at camp with activities like rock climbing, archery, campfire, crafts and more!

📍 Y Outdoor Centre
📅 Sept 28 | 11AM - 4PM

Reserve your family's spot today!

www.ymcaottawa.ca/locations/ym...

#OttawaActivities #OttawaEvents

Two Y staff members standing in front of a wall with organization logos, including the Y Shine On logo.

A Y staff member speaking to a community member at a YMCA Employment and Newcomer Services booth.

Five speakers at a conference panel

Three Y staff standing at a Y Employment and Newcomer Services booth

We were proud to be part of the 2025 Afro-Caribbean Thrive Conference! It was inspiring to meet so many community members, share info about Y programs, and build relationships.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth. Together, we’re building pathways for all to thrive.

Program participants in a yoga class.

Program participants in a workout session.

Program participants laying down on yoga mats and holding weights.

Programs participants sitting at desks and listening to presenter Savanna Symons.

We’re breaking barriers and empowering women and girls! 💪🩷

KickstartHER was a weekend of fun, movement, and connection — breaking down walls that make fitness and sports feel out of reach.

Thanks to speaker Savanna Symons and Canadian Women & Sport’s The Next Play program for making it possible!

Two images of YMCA Ottawa CEO Trevor McAlmont, Chef Ric, Chef Eddie, and Ottawa Mission CEO Peter Tilley, standing in front of the new Chef Ric's location. In the first photo, Chef Ric is about to cut a blue ribbon with large blue scissors. In the second photo, the ribbon has been cut.

Chef Ric, Ottawa Mission CEO Peter Tilley, and the YMCA Ottawa senior leadership team standing in front of the Taggart Family YMCA. There is a grand opening sign with white and blue balloons tied to it.

A collage of two photos. First photo: Chef Eddie holding a microphone and speaking at a lectern. Second photo: A crowd in the Taggart Family Y lobby.

A table covered in food, including fruit platters and pastries.

Chef Ric's is now open at the Taggart Family YMCA! 🥪🍴

We're so excited to have healthy, affordable food options available from 7:30AM to 2PM, every day of the week. 😋

Every purchase supports The Ottawa Mission and Chef Ric’s Food Service Training Program. ❤️

A collage of two large group photos of YMCA staff. The photos are overlaid with a digital badge that reads "Canadian HR Reporter 2025 5-Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Employer". The Y Shine On logo is at the bottom.

We're proud to share that the YMCA of the National Capital Region has been named a 2025 5-Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Employer by Canadian HR Reporter!

The Y is a place where everyone belongs. We continually strive to create a culture where employees feel heard, respected, and empowered.

Text: YMCA Child Care Spaces Available. Avalon, Orleans, Churchill, Taggart Family Y. Image: An educator sitting on a carpet, reading a picture book with a child. The Y Shine On logo is in the top left corner.

Looking for child care this fall?

The Y has spaces available for ages 18 months to 4 years at our Orleans, Westboro, and Downtown centres!

Learn more: www.ymcaottawa.ca/programs-ser...

#OttawaChildCare #PlayingToLearn

Fireworks show above a lake

Our youth residents got to experience a spectacular fireworks show at Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy! 🎆✨

Thank you to Les Grand Feux for donating passes to Canada Night at the fireworks competition. It was truly magical.❤️

Text: Find what motivates you. Fall registration is now open! Image: A woman playing basketball. The Y Shine On logo is in the top left corner.

Fall registration is now open to all! 🍁🏃💪

Are you motivated by fun and variety? A good challenge? A supportive community? You'll find your motivation at the Y.

From Aquafit and HIIT to badminton and pickleball, we have a ton of exciting programs to try.

Register: www.ymcaottawa.ca/programs-and...

Six Outliers RC members standing in front of the Taggart Family YMCA. Two of them are holding backpacks.

Outliers RC members standing with their motorcycles in front of the Taggart Family YMCA.

Six Outliers RC members an four YMCA staff members standing with backpacks in front of the Taggart Family YMCA.

Backpacks, bikes, and big hearts! 🎒🏍️

Outliers RC rolled up to the YMCA with a very special delivery of dozens of backpacks filled with school supplies. These gifts will help kids in our community head back to school with the tools they need this September. ❤️

Text: "The YMCA brings us closer." Join for $1 for your first 14 days. Image: A father lifting up his child, who is preparing to throw a basketball.

Your family is a team, on and off the court. Play together at the Y for only $1 for your first 14 days. 🏀

Become a Y Member today: www.ymcaottawa.ca/programs-ser...

Offer ends October 15, 2025.