2024–2025 Annual Impact Report
This annual impact report is a highlights reel of sorts — celebrating significant accomplishments in our charity’s 2024–2025 fiscal year.
Whatever your connection to the Y, it’s because of your contribution that our charity can pursue a vision of vibrant communities where everyone can shine. We truly are greater together.
2024–2025 Highlights
Child care fees decrease
As of January 1, 2025, parents like Samantha were benefitting from child care costs capped at $22 a day under the new Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system. Our Y was among the child care providers who advocated for the federal-provincial system, which aims to reduce fees to $10 a day on average by March 2026.
It’s the latest development in our long history of supporting children, youth, and families as the largest not-for-profit child care provider in Canada.
New housing for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth
We broke ground on a new, 31-unit YMCA supportive housing project for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth near our Wagner Green YMCA shelter, where youth experiencing homelessness currently find a safe place to sleep and wraparound supports to help them transition to independent living.
Although they represent just 10% of the Canadian population, almost one out of every three homeless young people in Canada identifies within the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. This new project will provide critically needed housing for these youth and is generously supported by the City of Toronto and the Government of Canada’s Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI). The RHI is delivered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) under the National Housing Strategy. The YMCA of Greater Toronto is providing the land for these new homes.
Girls’ soccer and leadership program kicks off
We launched YMCA GameChangers, powered by FC Barcelona Foundation, to increase participation among newcomer and equity-deserving girls in soccer.
Research shows there is a relationship between girls’ participation in sport and their success as leaders. But sports participation continues to decrease with girls in Canada due to underrepresentation in leadership roles in sports, unsafe environments, and limited opportunities for participants.
Through free soccer instruction, matches, and sports leadership training, YMCA GameChangers increased opportunities for social inclusion and employment in sports for 220 equity-deserving girls in its first year.
First charity 5k sends 500 kids to camp
More than 1,000 people of all ages and fitness levels walked and ran as a community in our first annual Shine On YMCA Charity 5K at Downsview Park in Toronto. Together, along with presenting sponsor Saporito Foods, we raised over $180,000 to help send more than 500 children to YMCA Camps — where they can make lifelong memories, build confidence, try new experiences, and enjoy the great outdoors.
In addition to offering day camps across the Greater Toronto Area, we also offer overnight and leadership programs at YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre in Schomberg and YMCA Camp Pine Crest in Muskoka.
Black Achievers expands
The YMCA Black Achievers Mentorship Program expanded from Scarborough to include North Etobicoke and Brampton. Funded entirely by donors — including CIBC, The Barrett Family Foundation, and more — this transformative initiative for Black youth is now supporting more high school students in more communities.
It was developed in response to the systemic barriers facing Black youth. They are less likely to attain a post-secondary qualification, and are disproportionately affected by issues like racism and discrimination. Black Achievers provides opportunities for youth to develop socially, personally, and academically with the support of Black professional mentors and role models, helping them reach their highest educational and career aspirations.
A new Centre of Community
We continued construction on The McDonald Family YMCA, our 12th YMCA Centre of Community in the Greater Toronto Area, which opened in July 2025. Just minutes from The Wagner Green YMCA youth shelter and drop-in centre, it was designed to offer people a vibrant space where they can get active, foster connections, and support personal growth.
The new centre was made possible by donors who contributed to the YMCA’s capital campaign, including Jenifer and Steve McDonald, and the City of Toronto. The Y is named to recognize the McDonald family’s commitment to bringing essential services and a sense of community to more people in more neighbourhoods in the GTA.
Read about our commitment to building sustainability and resiliency at ymcagta.org/green.
The Barrett Family Foundation makes historic gift
We were honoured to receive the largest multi-year gift in our charity’s history from The Barrett Family Foundation. This transformational $10 million investment over five years will support evidence-based, high-demand YMCA of Greater Toronto youth programs, including the YMCA Black Achievers Mentorship Program, newcomer and refugee youth groups, Youth for Entrepreneurship, career exploration initiatives, and financial literacy programs. In recognition of this transformational donation, we named one of our employment and newcomer centres The Barrett YMCA Centre for Newcomers to Canada.
We are so grateful to each and every one of our incredible donors for making a life-changing impact for community members across the GTA. It’s thanks to you that people are overcoming barriers and reaching their true potential. We can’t thank you enough!
Read Past Annual Reports
Browse our other annual updates in our reports listed by year.
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