Touch Down Canada

We finally arrived into Pearson airport in Toronto Canada at 15.40 local time and made our way to the Hotel that will become home for the next four days in Downtown Toronto.

Thirteen souls who choose to work for the oldest and largest young people’s organisation in the world. There is an incredible diversity in the roles participants perform in their professional positions within the organisation. Even with this variation we have one goal, to see the life chances and opportunities of young people in England transferred in local communities to enable each to have a sense of belonging, to be able to contribute and to thrive.

We have travelled to Canada to meet with YMCA colleagues and others to discover what the YMCA is doing in communities across Canada, and in particular across Toronto and Montreal. You see, this Movement, the YMCA, operates in 120 countries worldwide, reaching some 58 million people, isn’t that an incredible statistic? One of the unique things about the YMCA is that we will tailor our services and support to best respond to the needs of people in communities, regardless of their context or location. I hope during the next few days you will get a glimpse into the thoughts and learning of the participants of this Discovery visit.

Last evening, we were warmly welcomed by the President and CEO of YMCA Canada. Today we expect to hear about the strategic work of YMCA Canada and to meet some of the passionate people who have committed to contributing to building a Canada where, in our words would say, all people have the opportunity to belong, contribute and thrive.