In communities across Nova Scotia, the YMCA is doing more than helping people get active. They’re creating inclusive spaces where connection, confidence, and belonging can flourish.
With a growing program that provides affordable memberships to thousands of individuals and families, even more people are benefiting from equitable access to programs, resources, and relationships that help them navigate life’s challenges.
“There’s a story behind every person who comes through our doors,” says Heather MacDonald, Chief Development Officer with the YMCA. “Whether it’s a parent looking for social connection, a senior managing a chronic illness, or a newcomer building community, everyone needs a place where they feel supported.”
For many, access to those spaces can feel out of reach. Financial constraints, housing and health challenges, and even the invisible weight of social isolation can all be barriers to building relationships with others and taking steps to support our own wellbeing. The YMCA is working to remove those barriers through a comprehensive approach to accessibility.
“The Medavie Foundation has been a true collaborator,” MacDonald says. “Together, we’re ensuring that no one is left behind when it comes to opportunities for health, wellness, and friendship.”
Making membership possible
Through multi-year funding that builds on previous joint initiatives, the Medavie Foundation is helping the YMCA provide subsidized memberships to nearly 4,000 Nova Scotians, with that number expected to grow. This partnership also extends to essential needs like athletic apparel, transportation costs, and community outreach, recognizing that financial need rarely exists in isolation.
“In my role with the Foundation, I’ve seen first-hand that wellness is more than physical health — it’s about enjoying the activity together with the friends you’ve made there,” says Jessica Crossman, Community Impact Manager with the Medavie Foundation. “Yes, removing the financial barrier increases access, but the friendships are what participants would miss without this initiative.”
That philosophy is embedded in every aspect of the YMCA’s programming, from mobility classes for older adults to parent-and-tot swim lessons, to the LiveWell Health Management program supporting individuals managing chronic illnesses. Every initiative is designed not just to promote movement, but to foster connection and belonging.
“Physical activity is important, but it’s really about creating lifelong movers and helping people feel confident in their bodies and supported by their communities, at any age,” says MacDonald. “That sense of belonging is just as critical as the exercise itself.”
For Emmit-Jamal Brown, Director of Strategic Engagement with the YMCA, this work is an opportunity to give back. “I grew up at my local Y. Those experiences shaped so much of who I became,” he shares. “It was where I learned to swim, joined youth programs, and found a space where I felt safer to be myself, especially during those formative tween and teen years.”
Now, Brown channels that personal connection into his work, ensuring others have the same access to supportive spaces.
“We help make sure the programs are funded, but it’s our program staff who bring them to life and make people feel welcome and valued,” he says. “Together, we’re building something that’s greater than any one of us.”
Extending support into the community
The YMCA’s community-rooted approach reflects a broader belief that care doesn’t have to start in a clinic. “Community-based care is both natural and proactive,” says MacDonald. “It’s about recognizing that community shapes how we interact with the world and giving people an authentic place to feel grounded in their own lives.”
The YMCAs in Nova Scotia have more than 250 active community partnerships aimed at finding people who could benefit from access to wellness programs and to ensuring that the supports they need are available and accessible. For example, many YMCA sites are also part of the Integrated Youth Services network, embedding crucial mental health supports for young people into welcoming, familiar settings.
“Every organization we partner with has their own area of expertise, and the ability to reach different groups of people that make up Nova Scotia’s diverse communities,” explains Brown. “When we work together there’s so much opportunity to learn, listen, and share, and we can accomplish so much more than we would be able to on our own.”
By collaborating across sectors and scaling programs to meet evolving needs in both rural and urban areas, the YMCA is making strides in building a province where everyone can find connection, care, and community, regardless of their circumstances.