YMCA of Greater Vancouver amalgamates, takes on new legal name

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YMCA B.C. officials say the strategy is consistent with YMCA amalgamations taking place across the country and throughout the Canadian charitable sector. The focus, said YMCA B.C. Chief Executive Officer Heidi Worthington, is to combine collective strengths to achieve even more, together.

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“Each organization came to this unification from a position of strength and we knew that by coming together, we could have even more impact in communities across the province,” said Worthington. “As one strong, unified team, we will continue to build communities, transform lives, provide unique opportunities for people of all ages, stages, backgrounds and abilities to learn, grow, thrive and reach their potential.”

The vision of YMCA B.C. is providing those it serves with even greater opportunities today and for the future, including its staff, according to Amanda Alexander, former CEO of YMCA of Northern British Columbia and now Vice President, Northern B.C. with YMCA B.C.

“Unification will help us increase our impact today and for generations to come,” said Alexander. “We’ll accomplish this by serving local communities more broadly and deeply, of course, and also providing more opportunities and resources for our valued staff and volunteer teams, who are the backbone and the heart of the YMCA.”

Colin Reid, former CEO of YMCA-YWCA of Kamloops and now Vice President, Greater Kamloops with YMCA B.C., pointed out the continued focus on local needs and responsiveness.

“While we will experience immediate gains in strength and effectiveness as a larger team, we also remain committed to meeting the unique needs of each of the communities we serve,” confirmed Reid. “That was a core value of unification and a commitment we are making through YMCA BC.”

People shouldn’t expect any immediate changes to the YMCA platform. Members, participants and clients should not expect any changes in programming or experience in the short term, said Worthington, but the opportunity to explore how YMCA B.C. can have even more impact on local communities is coming soon.

“Community needs are dynamic and ever increasing,” CEO Heidi Worthington said. “It is crucial for us to be as strong as we can to meet these needs, and by becoming YMCA B.C., we are proactively doing just that.”