By Jill Tettmann, President & CEO, YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka

Every day, people across Simcoe/Muskoka and Parry Sound are making new connections that help them shine, through their local YMCAs: 

Older adults gather to spend time together and learn new exercises to improve their health outcomes. 

Little ones in child care experience the best form of learning – play with expert caregivers and others their age. 

Youth build confidence, have new experiences and make new friends, with every campfire, every splash in the pool, and every ball in the net. 

 
Connection has always been at the heart of what we do. In fact, it’s built right into our mission: 

 A community-building charity that connects people to each other and to experiences designed to build health and strength, skills and confidence, and opportunities for exploration and growth. 

But we can’t do it alone. 
 
One of the most important ways we create opportunities for people of all ages to connect, improve their sense of wellness, and truly feel they belong is through our many community partnerships across the region. 

Partnerships allow us to amplify our impact by combining the strengths, expertise and resources to be as responsive as possible to what local communities truly need to thrive and shine. 

They also help us stretch, grow, and innovate in ways we otherwise might not be able to imagine. 

For example, in the education sector, we’re proud to partner with Georgian College. What began as a project called The Future of Belonging – exploring how we could better serve the evolving needs of rural communities and equity-owed populations – has grown into a unique, local community innovation ecosystem. With several new  
Community Impact Labs established across the region, Georgian and the YMCA are helping bring people together to address the most pressing issues facing our communities, and, you guessed it – to connect with one another! 

In health care, our partnership with Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) has us focused on critical health management programs, including cancer rehabilitation with the Hudson Regional Cancer Program at RVH. Partnerships like this help empower individuals recovering from illness or experiencing chronic health issues to reclaim their wellness. RVH will also be a key partner at the new YMCA in Barrie, coming to the community in late summer 2027! 

In municipalities across the region, we’re also partnering to expand access to high quality programs and services in many towns and cities. This summer we will see the opening of the Tamarack North Centre in West Parry Sound. This exciting new community destination will be operated by the YMCA and serve McKellar Township, Township of The Archipelago, Carling Township, McDougall Township, the Town of Parry Sound, Seguin Township and the Municipality of Whitestone, and the First Nation communities of Wasauksing and Shawanaga, with a six-lane pool, a therapy pool, an indoor track, common rooms for cultural activities, a fitness studio, a full-sized gymnasium, a strength and conditioning area, and more. 

At the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, we know that connection, wellness, and belonging are all ingredients for thriving communities. 

We also know that the only way we can get there is together. 

To learn more about how you can partner with the Y, click here.