It's Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day! Thank you so much to all of the ECE's who are shaping our future through the lives of our children. We are so grateful for all you do.
Every year on the third Friday in May, the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Alberta (AECEA) celebrates Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Day. If your family has been positively impacted by an ECE we would like you to encourage you to show your appreciation on May 15, 2026. A heartfelt note or card expressing your appreciation would mean a lot to the ECE's who care for your children.
Thank you to everyone in our community who came together to make this possible!
Strong Kids, Strong Communities is YMCA of Northern Alberta’s Flagship fundraising effort to help families have access to membership, swimming lessons, camps, emergency child care and community programs that build confidence, connection and belonging. Right now is the perfect time to show your support because all donations made until August 31, 2026 will be matched up to 50% through the generosity of Rogers Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink!
Ninah started as a volunteer, and has since become a staff member providing our members with fitness support in various roles at Jamie Platz Family YMCA. She became passionate about supporting the Y when she discovered that we are more than just a fitness facility, but a community-focused organization that offers life-changing opportunities to kids in our community.
Strong Kids, Strong Communities is YMCA of Northern Alberta’s Flagship fundraising effort to help families have access to membership, swimming lessons, camps, emergency child care and community programs that build confidence, connection and belonging. Right now is the perfect time to show your support because all donations made until August 31, 2026 will be matched up to 50% through the generosity of Rogers Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink!
Happy Earth Day! Today, we're excited to announce an exciting new partnership with the @recycleabcrc (ABCRC) and select @albertadepot recycling depots in Edmonton.
With help from the ABCRC, all recycled beverage containers deposited at YMCA Health, Fitness & Aquatics Centres are now being donated to support our family, child and youth programs. You can also donate your cans and bottles to support the YMCA at select Edmonton recycling depots listed below:
Callingwood Bottle Depot – 6408 177 Street NW
Quasar Bottle Depot – 9510 105 Avenue NW
Summerside Bottle Depot – 2754 Ellwood Drive SW
Sherwood Park Bottle Depot – 252 Kaska Road
Castledowns Bottle Depot – 14142 140 Street NW
Bottle King Bottle Depot – 12535 133 Street NW
Univer Bottle Depot – 8221 127 Avenue NW
Manning Bottle Depot – 16035 Fort Road NW
Thank you for recycling and for supporting youth, children and families in our community!
We couldn't do all of the amazing work we do for our community without our dedicated volunteers. To all of you who generously volunteer your time to serving our community, thank you so much for all that you do. April 19–25 is National Volunteer Week and we want to share your messages of gratitude with our volunteers and with our community. Visit ynab.memfox.io/volunteerthanks to upload a short video message expressing your thanks. We will be sharing these messages with our volunteers and uploading some of them as Stories on our social media throughout this week.
Happy National Volunteer Week!
We’re proud to be part of the YMCA Canada Kananaskis Gathering, bringing together more than 100 participants from 32 YMCAs across Canada, including both senior leaders and program staff, all committed to advancing reconciliation and strengthening Indigenous relationships.
Over the past few days, participants have been learning, reflecting, and connecting in meaningful ways, grounded in a shared commitment to action and impact.
We’re especially proud of our CEO, @katherineoneill , who presented on the development of the YWCA Edmonton Reconciliation Action Plan, helping advance the work underway at YMCAs to deepen our commitment to truth and reconciliation in our communities.
Thank you to YMCA Calgary for hosting the gathering at historic Camp Chief Hector, located in Kananaskis east of Canmore.
William Lutsky Family YMCA kicked off the Strong Kids, Strong Communities accelerator month with an energizing masterclass and some inspiring remarks and storytelling from our community.
This month we're bringing awareness to our Strong Kids Strong Communities campaign so more families can access life-changing Y experiences including memberships, swim lessons, camps, and community programs that build confidence, connection, and belonging.
Thank you to everyone who made this event possible and to those who have shown their support by making a donation. You’re helping kids shine and helping our community shine.
Visit ymcanab.ca/donate to show your support today.
The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation @oil_foundation (EOCF) announced today it invested $2 million to support kids and families in need across Oil Country. As part of its 25th anniversary donation matching campaign, the EOCF, working alongside its charitable partners and passionate Oilers fans, raised $1 million in direct donations, which it then matched, bringing the total to $2 million going to 22 Alberta-based charities.
The YMCA of Northern Alberta is deeply grateful to be one of the beneficiaries of this campaign. Katherine O'Neill, President and CEO of YMCA of Northern Alberta contributed the following sentiments as part of today's announcement.
“Thank you to the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation for this incredible investment in our community. We are honoured to partner with them to create life-changing opportunities for everyone and are profoundly grateful for their support. We are also sincerely thankful to the community members and supporters who helped empower this matching opportunity. This campaign has been a true testament to the powerful impact that we can have when we work together to build healthy, vibrant communities where everyone can shine."
You can read the full announcement from EOCF at the link below:
/.../community-eocf-gives-2-million...
Castle Downs Family YMCA (11510 153 Avenue) is once again proud to partner with Sherwood Park Elks Gowns4Grads to offer students a chance to pick a new or used dress or suit for free!
Grads are invited to come during one of the following time slots: -Friday, March 20 5–9pm -Saturday, March 21, 10am–2pm
No appointment needed. Everyone will have the opportunity to try on the styles before selecting (while supplies last).
If you have a dress or suit to donate, you can drop it off any time before 2pm on March 21.
Happy 1st birthday to Kickstand Edmonton!
Over the past year, this hub in West Edmonton Mall has grown into a welcoming space where young people can access free mental health and wellness supports, build connection, and feel like they truly belong.
From therapy and health services to community-building moments like D&D and game night, drop-in art sessions, Indigenous teachings, and more — Kickstand creates space for young people to be supported, seen, and part of something.
A huge thank you to the incredible team who make this work possible, and to the young people who bring this space to life every day.
On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the achievements of women and the contributions they make to helping communities thrive. Approximately 77% of YMCA of Northern Alberta staff are women. We are committed to our responsibility to ensure gender inclusion in our facilities, workplaces, and programs for all women. Our communities shine brightest when women and girls can reach their full potential.
