Naturalist John Muir wrote, “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.” Like an ecosystem, a community teems with connections. People, places, ideas, challenges, projects, changes—nothing stands alone. Acknowledging the interdependence that defines community is one step toward making meaningful connections.

The YMCA’s strategic plan recommits the Y to connecting with community. This vision means connecting with individuals, and also collaborating with organizations.

The YMCA is actively partnering with community groups in the GTA because we believe that both process and outcomes are enhanced when people work together. Through exchanges of knowledge, experience, and best-practices, the YMCA is broadening its circle of connections, advancing its own work, and offering itself more fully to the community.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is proud of the relationships it has cultivated this year, and proud of the work it has achieved with its partners. In 2005-2006 we have:

• Continued our “ Reaching In and Reaching Out” partnership with George Brown College, the University of Guelph and the Child Development Institute
• Shared leadership in the “Get Your Move On” initiative with Toronto Public Health, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, and many other organizations
• Participated in policy and program development for the 13 neighbourhoods identified by the Strong Neighbourhoods Task Force of the United Way of Greater Toronto and the City of Toronto
• Partnered with the Region of Peel and collaborated with Peel Boys and Girls Club, the Region of Peel Public Health and Social Services in the ongoing operation of Peel Youth Village that provides transitional housing, recreational facilities and counselling to youth
• Begun to share the results of our Environics research with the City of Toronto, the United Way, and the Toronto Community Foundation
• Partnered with Carpenters’ Union Local 27 and the Toronto Community Housing Corporation to deliver pre-apprenticeship training for youth at risk in Jamestown, a program that earned the Mayor’s Community Safety Award
• Joined Sheridan College’s Program Advisory Committee to help develop a new curriculum for their Exercise Science and Health Promotion degree program
• Collaborated with the Toronto Community Foundation, the City of Toronto, the United Way, the Toronto District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, and the Toronto Blue Jays on the Toronto Sport Leadership Program.

In addition, within the YMCA family we have:

Led key Association initiatives at the national level, including:

• Federal Public Sector Youth Internship Program, in partnership with Service Canada
• Youth Exchanges, in partnership with Heritage Canada
• CIBC Youth Vision, in partnership with the Big Brothers, Big Sisters Association
• YMCA Canada National Aquatic initiative

Led provincial initiatives, including:

• YMCA Youth Problem Gambling Prevention Program
• YMCA Project Youth Leader
• YMCA Project Swim

Provided support services on behalf of YMCA Canada to all Ontario YMCAs and YMCA-YWCAs as the Management Resource Centre.

Participated in North American Urban Group and North American YMCA Development Organization research.

Acted as leaders in the YMCA’s World Urban Network.

The YMCA believes it is greatly enriched by its relationships with other community groups.  We believe that in both scope and spirit we make important contributions to the web of connections that gives life to our city.  We relish our place in the larger ecology of the GTA. And we can’t wait for even more people to connect with the YMCA.

Read more in our 2006 Annual Report.