Our History

Camp Stephens becomes the first Y-owned camp in 1891, with the initial camp being held on Keewatin Beach in Lake of the Woods.

A permanent overnight camp location is found, and this cluster of five islands is the current location of Camp Stephens in Lake of the Woods.

Moina Michael, an American teacher working for the YMCA Overseas War Secretaries organization in New York City, is recognized as the first person to wear a poppy to commemorate Remembrance Day. After reading John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields”, she immediately “pledged to keep the faith and always to wear a red poppy of Flanders Fields as a sign of remembrance and the emblem of ‘keeping the faith with all who died.’” It remains a lasting symbol of remembrance in Canada.

In 1931, the YMCA developed a national aquatic program, making it the first in Canada. That means we have been leaders in the field for more than 87 years!

To honour the talent, achievement, imagination and innovation of Manitoba women, the Women of Distinction Awards are launched in 1976.

At the Y, we believe that health encompasses your whole being – spirit, mind and body. We’ve been offering mental health programming and services since 1982 in hopes of helping people cope with their mental health challenges.

In 1983 we opened our first licensed child care program, Creative Play, which still operates out of the Downtown branch today. With more than 35 child care centres in and around Winnipeg, we are Manitoba’s largest child care provider.

In 1987 the YMCA of Winnipeg and the YWCA of Winnipeg merged to become the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg.

To help individuals start and grow their own business, we began offering the Self-Employment Program in 1987. Since then we have helped hundreds of people turn their dreams into reality.

Social isolation can take a serious toll on one’s health. That’s why, in 1996, we launched the Adult Day Program out of our South branch. Older adults come together to enjoy social games and activities, outing to local attractions and enjoy meals together.

In 2005 we began offering a one-day empowerment conference, Power of Being a Girl. Each year the conference tackles issues such as self-esteem, discrimination and healthy relationships.

To ease the transition for newcomers, we began offering English-language courses out of our Downtown branch in 2007. We continue to help hundreds of individuals each year.

At the North Y Youth Centre, which opened in 2009, children and youth from Winnipeg’s inner-city are welcomed into a safe space where they can make new friends, have fun and learn important life skills.

In 2010 we started the After School Program for Youth with Additional Support Needs. The program offers a safe, nurturing space to youth aged 13-21 years-old whose parents require after school supports for employment needs.

To provide mental health and wellness supports, along with recreation opportunities for youth, the Youth Wellness Program launched out of the Downtown branch in 2017. The program has since expanded to include our Elmwood-Kildonan branch.

Through a partnership with Canada Service Corps, the YMCA Community Action Network, or YCAN, launches at various Ys across the country, including in Winnipeg. The program aims to support selected individuals between the ages of 15 and 30 to get involved in their local community through service opportunities.

In 2019 we are proud to launch the Youth Entrepreneurship Program, which will help youth learn entrepreneurial skills and develop their business plans.