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By Caden Fanshaw

YMCA

New YMCA Ignite program launched in Prince George

May 17, 2023 | 4:15 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Northern BC residents near and far from a YMCA location will have access to a new and improved program geared towards youth.

YMCA BC and the YMCA of Greater Toronto partnered to announce the first-of-its-kind digital platform – YMCA Ignite – thanks in part to $1.2 million in funding from the RBC Foundation, through RBC Future Launch.

YMCA Ignite is a new virtual platform that will initially focus its offering on employment and leadership development programs for youth across the country, beyond brick-and-mortar YMCA locations.

The new service aims to increase availability to critical programs previously inaccessible due to geographic location; increase impact on Canadian youth ages 15 – 29, with a focus on BIPOC and rural communities; and prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow. This platform aims to serve 25,000 youth by 2025.

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“When young people succeed, we all succeed,” says Mark Beckles, Vice President Social Impact & Innovation, RBC. “With partners like the YMCA, we’re working to increase access to the resources that young Canadians need to build more inclusive companies and communities where everyone can reach their full potential. We are excited to see YMCA Ignite come to life.”

Ignite will feature over 70 workshops per month through a range of live, virtual, self-directed and in-person courses. Programming is currently focused on employment and leadership development, tailored to young people ages 15 – 29.

“The past three years have helped us reimagine what “community” means at the Y, through virtual and socially-distanced interactions,” says Medhat Mahdy, President & CEO, YMCA of Greater Toronto. “Community expands well beyond in-person interactions – and YMCA Ignite allows us to use technology to reach communities without a physical YMCA location.”