Prince George and Toronto – May 17, 2023 – YMCA BC and the YMCA of Greater Toronto are excited to announce the first-of-its-kind digital platform – YMCA Ignite – thanks in part to $1.2 million in funding from the RBC Foundation, through RBC Future Launch. YMCA Ignite is a new virtual platform that will initially focus its offering on employment and leadership development programs for youth across the country, beyond brick-and-mortar YMCA locations.
YMCA Ignite aims to increase availability to critical programs previously inaccessible due to geographic location; increase impact on Canadian youth ages 15 – 29, with a focus on BIPOC and rural communities; and prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow. This platform aims to serve 25,000 youth by 2025.
“When young people succeed, we all succeed,” says Mark Beckles, Vice President Social Impact & Innovation, RBC. “With partners like the YMCA, we’re working to increase access to the resources that young Canadians need to build more inclusive companies and communities where everyone can reach their full potential. We are excited to see YMCA Ignite come to life.”
YMCA Ignite will feature over 70 workshops per month through a range of live, virtual, self-directed and in-person courses. Programming is currently focused on employment and leadership development, tailored to young people ages 15 – 29.
“The past three years have helped us reimagine what “community” means at the Y, through virtual and socially-distanced interactions,” says Medhat Mahdy, President & CEO, YMCA of Greater Toronto. “Community expands well beyond in-person interactions – and YMCA Ignite allows us to use technology to reach communities without a physical YMCA location.”
Available programs include:
- Financial Empowerment & Well-being Certificate
- 12 micro-courses focusing on personal finance, topics include: Income, expenses & budget, Saving & investing, Credit & debt management, Income tax & benefits, Financial planning and more.
- Responsible Adult Course
- Build essential skills for working with children and youth.
- Additional Online Courses
- Topics include: Mental wellness workshops for teens (13 – 18) and youth (18 – 30), Core Skills for Actionable Professional, Leading successful teams, Introduction to Entrepreneurship, Practicing Allyship and more.
“YMCA Ignite is a major milestone for YMCA BC, and across Canada,” said Heidi Worthington, President and CEO, YMCA BC. “We’re pushing critical resources and programs beyond brick-and-mortar Y locations, introducing new ways to share programming with a greater number of youth, and of course, reconnecting as a community.”
YMCA Ignite would not be possible without support from the RBC Foundation, through RBC Future Launch. The YMCA is grateful to the RBC Foundation for their commitment to connecting young people with community leaders and partners to help them prepare for the future of work. Through $1.2 million in funding, YMCA BC and the YMCA of Greater Toronto developed YMCA Ignite to help achieve the joint goal of empowering youth as they plan for their future.
YMCA Ignite is an exclusively digital platform, available here.
The Y values diversity and inclusion. If accommodations are required for individuals to participate, the Y will arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodations as required.
SOURCE YMCA
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