Why does a charity have gyms?
Why would we invest so much time and effort securing donations to build our Health, Fitness and Aquatics centres and then finding and training the fully-qualified staff and volunteers needed for such a massive and ongoing endeavour from which we do not make any profit?
We do it because the YMCA was created to help everyone reach their full potential mentally, emotionally and physically (the gym part). Our mandate to create life-enhancing opportunities for the growth and development of all people speaks to the mind's right to imagine, the body's right to move and the spirit's right to believe in itself. We believe that fulfilling your potential is everyone's right, every person's advantage and everybody's secret weapon.
The YMCA is a legally registered charity, including our gyms, and no one is turned away for the inability to pay. Please do not hesitate to ask at Member Services if you need financial assistance to access any of our facilities (including our 57 Child Care centres or to send a child or youth to one of our Day Camps).
We've been an entirely independent Edmonton charity for 109 years, including our Health, Fitness & Aquatics Centres, Summer Camps and Day Camps, 57 Child Cares, 20 Community Program Centres, 3 Housing Centres and 9 Service and Programs Centres.
We are a legally registered independent charity and we believe in equality of opportunity for all members of the community - regardless of age, race, sex, religion or economic circumstance. Through YMCA Financial Assistance (formerly the Opportunity Fund), our membership and program experience is available to low-income individuals and families in need. Drop in and ask how to get started! If you know anyone who could benefit from this program, please let them know.