Uplifting Our Communities: How Connection Helps Us Shine

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

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At the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, we believe that strong communities begin with belonging. When people feel seen, safe, and supported, they shine, and in that light, entire communities grow brighter. That’s the heart of our work. We’re not just here to deliver programs, we’re here to be a place where connection is nurtured, resilience is built, and every person has the opportunity to reach their potential.

This September, as we recognize Suicide Prevention Month, we’re reminded that belonging isn’t a luxury, it’s essential. For too many, the weight of isolation and disconnection has become a quiet crisis. Suicide Prevention Month is a time to raise awareness, address stigma, and remind one another that help is always available. It’s also a call to action, to reach out, to check in, and to help create spaces where no one has to struggle alone.

That’s where the YMCA comes in.

New national research from YMCA Canada confirms what we’re seeing in our own communities. According to the YMCA Connections Snapshot, only four in ten Canadians say they feel a sense of belonging in their community. Among those aged 18 to 34, nearly three in four say they lack that sense of connection altogether. But here’s the hopeful part: the very same number believe that spaces like the YMCA, often called “third places” outside of home and work, are key to changing that.

In a world that feels increasingly disconnected, the YMCA continues to be the heartbeat of our communities.

At our core, we’re a charity committed to making life better for people of all ages and backgrounds. We have fitness gyms, child care centres, youth programming, and so much more, with so many of these programs delivered in community hubs that are built to inspire connection. Whether it’s a parent finding support, a newcomer finding friendship, or a teen discovering their passion and purpose, the YMCA is where people come together to build healthier, more connected lives.

We also know that many people still face barriers to connection. Social anxiety, lack of time, not knowing where to begin, these are real challenges, and they show up in our work every day. That’s why we focus so intentionally on access, inclusion, and support. Whether it’s through financial assistance, community partnerships, or welcoming environments, we’re working to ensure that factors like cost, circumstance, and identity are never barriers to belonging.

That mission is reflected in YMCA Canada’s new national campaign, Greater Together, which launched this month. It celebrates the big and small moments that make community life so meaningful, from shared laughter to quiet understanding. Here in Simcoe, Muskoka and Parry Sound District, we’re proud to bring that spirit to life in all the ways we help people connect and shine. Our combined local and national efforts are about more than raising awareness. They’re about reminding people that the Y is here, not just as a place to go, but as a place to grow and thrive, together.

Because the YMCA is a place that exists to ignite belonging. We are powered by people, for people. And every single day, thanks to our donors, volunteers, partners, and participants, we see the light of that mission in action.

So, as we move through Suicide Prevention Month and look ahead to the fall, let’s keep working together to uplift our communities. Let’s keep building spaces where everyone feels connected. Let’s keep making sure no one is left behind, and everyone has the chance to shine.

Learn more about our YMCA, and how you can support our mission, at www.ymcasm.ca/ShineOn.