Working together to achieve better health and connection
Across Nova Scotia, the YMCA is creating inclusive spaces where connection, confidence, and belonging thrive. With affordable memberships for thousands of individuals and families, more people are gaining equitable access to programs and support that help them navigate life’s challenges.
“There’s a story behind every person coming through our doors,” says Heather MacDonald, Chief Development Officer with the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth. “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.”
Long known for its fitness facilities and youth programs, the YMCA’s role as a community hub is rapidly expanding. Yet for many – facing financial pressures, housing instability, health challenges, or the quiet burden of social isolation – these spaces can feel out of reach. Through a comprehensive approach to accessibility, the YMCA is working to break down these barriers.
“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.”
With multi-year funding that builds on earlier initiatives, the Medavie Foundation helps YMCA offer subsidized memberships to nearly 4,000 Nova Scotians. The partnership also supports athletic apparel, transportation, and outreach, recognizing that financial need often extends beyond membership fees.
“Our support for the YMCA reflects our shared belief that wellness is more than physical health. It’s about finding your people, mental wellbeing, and building a sense of belonging,” says Andrea Elliott, Director of Social Responsibility and the Medavie Foundation. “This all leads to giving people purpose and making them feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves.”
That philosophy is embedded in every aspect of 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, each initiative is designed to promote physical movement and foster connection and belonging.
For Emmit-Jamal Brown, Director of Strategic Engagement with YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth, this work is deeply personal. “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 helps ensure 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.”
The YMCA’s community-based model reinforces the idea that care doesn’t need to begin 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.”
Today, the YMCAs in Nova Scotia have more than 250 active community partnerships focused on connecting people with wellness programs and making sure supports are easy to access. Many YMCA sites are also part of the Integrated Youth Services network, embedding mental health resources in youth-friendly spaces.
“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.”
