YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth

We were proud to welcome the Canadian Classics Women’s Rugby Team to the John W. Lindsay YMCA during their recent visit to Halifax.

As a community hub for health, wellness, and sport, the YMCA is honoured to support athletes and organizations by providing spaces to train, recover, and connect.

Following their time at the Y, the Canadian Classics Women’s Team went on to earn an impressive 43–17 victory over the USA. Congratulations to the athletes, coaches, and organizers on a fantastic event and performance.

We’re grateful for the kind words shared by organizer Darrin Chaplin about our staff and facility, and we look forward to continuing to build partnerships that strengthen sport and community.

Thank you for choosing the YMCA as part of your Halifax experience, and best of luck in future competitions.

Leave a legacy. Strengthen community for generations.

The YMCA Legacy Circle represents a collective of dedicated donors committed to ensuring the enduring presence and impact of the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth. By including the YMCA in your estate plans, you help ensure that children, youth, and families will continue to have a place where they belong, grow, and thrive for generations to come.

Your values can live on through the lives you help change.

Learn more about legacy giving today 👉 https://ymcahfx.ca/legacy-giving/

Today, we celebrate the incredible Early Childhood Educators and Childcare Workers who help children learn, grow, and thrive every day at our YMCA.

To our dedicated teams: thank you for the care, patience, and encouragement you bring to every child and family you support.

You create welcoming spaces where children feel included, valued, and inspired to explore the world around them. Through your work, you help build confidence, spark curiosity, and lay the foundation for lifelong learning.

Thank you for the meaningful difference you make in the lives of children, families, and our community every day.

Happy ECE and Childcare Worker Appreciation Day!

Join us in welcoming Patrick Sullivan as the newest Director on the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth Board of Directors.

Patrick currently serves as a Strategic Business Advisor with Cox & Palmer and most recently was the President and CEO of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, where he represented and advocated for more than 2,000 member businesses across the Halifax Regional Municipality.

A strong believer in the connection between business and community, Patrick has dedicated his time to numerous organizations and boards, including the Faculty of Management Advisory Board at Dalhousie University, the Bluenose Marathon Board of Directors, and most recently as Chair of the TELUS Atlantic Community Board.

Patrick’s commitment to community extends beyond leadership roles. Together with his wife, he has helped raise four CNIB guide dog puppies, with two successfully becoming guide dogs.

We’re excited to welcome Patrick’s leadership, community spirit, and passion for building strong connections to our YMCA Board of Directors.

👏 Welcome to the Y, Patrick.

Learn more about our Board of Directors: ymcahfx.ca/aboutus/

Water safety starts with confidence.

Learning to swim is one of the most important life skills a person can have. Whether you're introducing your child to the water, improving your own swimming ability, or building lifesaving skills, every lesson helps create safer communities.

At the YMCA, we offer a variety of ways to build confidence in and around the water:

• Swim Lessons for all ages and abilities
• Private Swim Lessons for personalized instruction
• Lane Swimming to practice and strengthen skills
• Swim to Survive programs that help children develop essential water safety skills

Water safety isn't just about swimming — it's about being prepared, confident, and knowing how to respond in an emergency.

Join us at the YMCA and take the next step toward safer summers, stronger swimmers, and greater peace of mind.

➡️ Register for swimming lessons today https://ymcahfx.ca/aquatics/

Help your child build confidence, independence, and important life skills with our Youth Safe Home Alone Program at the Community YMCA.

Designed for youth ages 10–14, this 4-week program teaches participants how to stay safe and make smart decisions while home alone — all in a fun, supportive, and interactive environment.

Participants will learn:
• Home safety and emergency preparedness
• Basic kitchen and oven safety
• Communication and problem-solving skills
• Building routines and responsible decision-making

Program Details:
📅 Wednesdays: June 10 & 17, 2026
🕠 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Community YMCA, 2269 Gottingen St
👥 Ages 10–14

Give your child the tools to feel safe, capable, and confident.

Register today 👉 https://ymcahfx.ca/HomeAlone

Join us in welcoming Stacy Burgess as a new Director on the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth Board of Directors.

Stacy brings more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience with IWK Health, where she has dedicated her career to advancing care and services for children, youth, and families across Nova Scotia and the Maritimes. Currently serving as Vice President, Clinical Support & System Integration, Stacy’s work focuses on strengthening care delivery, supporting teams, and improving how systems work together to better serve communities.

Beginning her journey as a frontline nurse, Stacy has built a career rooted in compassion, leadership, and community wellbeing. She understands the important role organizations like the YMCA play in helping children, youth, and families feel connected, supported, and empowered to thrive.

We’re excited to welcome Stacy’s experience, leadership, and community perspective to our Board as we continue building stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities together.

👏 Welcome to the Y, Stacy.

Learn more about our Board of Directors: ymcahfx.ca/aboutus/

Ron found community at the YMCA.

After suffering a major stroke just two weeks after his 65th birthday, Ron faced significant physical challenges and uncertainty about the future. Through YMCA Abilities in Motion (AIM), he found more than a place to exercise — he found a community that supported him every step of the way.

"The AIM program helped me recover, feel supported, and stay connected. It’s like family. We check in on each other. No one is left behind."

Today, Ron continues to inspire others through his determination, positivity, and commitment to living life to the fullest.

At the YMCA, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to participate, connect, and thrive. Programs like AIM help make that possible by creating accessible spaces where people can build strength, confidence, and community.

➡️ Read Ron's story in our 2025 Impact Report: https://simplebooklet.com/2025impactreport31 =5

A legacy gift is a powerful way to make a lasting difference in the community you care about.

By including the YMCA in your estate planning, you help ensure future generations have access to programs, support, and opportunities that build confidence, belonging, and wellbeing.

From helping children attend camp, to supporting newcomer families, youth programs, health and wellness initiatives, and financial assistance — your legacy can continue creating impact for years to come.

Together, we can build a stronger, healthier, and more connected future.

Learn more about legacy giving today 👉 https://ymcahfx.ca/legacy-giving/