YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg
sepia composite image of street signs and the historic Exchange District: Bannatyne Avenue and Main Street

Y Winnipeg Becomes Incorporated

On May 16, 1879, Y Winnipeg became incorporated. It opened as a reading room and meeting room at the corner of Main Street and McDermot Avenue.

Canadian money from the 1800's

Y Winnipeg's First Staff Member

On June 15, 1880 the first full-time staff member, C.M. Copeland, became employed by Y Winnipeg, earning a “minimum” salary of $800 per year. Copeland was the first General Secretary of the Winnipeg YMCA and an island at Camp Stephens was later named for him.

Image of lake with trees on shoreline

Camp Stephens

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

James Naismith at YMCA International Training School

The Invention of Basketball

On December 21, 1891, the first game of basketball is played by 18 students, using two peach baskets as nets. The sport itself was invented by Canadian James Naismith while working at the YMCA International Training School.

aerial image of camp stephen's island

Camp Stephens Finds a Permanent Home

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.

black and white image of the old downtown Y

Y Winnipeg's First Permanent Home

Our first permanent Winnipeg location opened on January 18, 1901 at the corner of Portage Avenue and Smith Street. It featured a library, bowling alleys and Winnipeg’s first indoor swimming pool!

Image of father and son

Father's Day Started with the Y

Father’s Day was dreamed up by Sonora Louise Smart Dodd in Spokane, Washington. She wanted to honour her father, a Civil War veteran who had raised her and her five siblings alone. Presenting her idea at a meeting in June 1910, Sonora petitioned the Spokane Ministerial Alliance and the Spokane YMCA to recognize and celebrate Father’s Day. They enthusiastically endorsed the idea, hosting the first Father’s Day celebration on June 19, 1910.

black and white image of the Vaughn street Y

Opening the Downtown Branch

On May 4, 1913, the Vaughan Street location, now known as the Downtown branch, opened. It served as the unofficial headquarters for army men when the First World War began.

image of a single poppy bloom from above

The Poppy and Its Ties to the Y

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.

black and white image of swimming lessons. kids in water at a dock, instructor looking on

Leaders in Aquatics

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 90 years!

Three Preschool Kids in Child Care Playing with Toys

Serving the Community's Child Care Needs

In 1973 Y Winnipeg had five licensed nursery school programs in branches around the city. Our first licensed child care program, Creative Play, 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.

Women of Distinction Awards logo

Honouring Women

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

Image of three women and a man sitting at a table laughing with coffee mugs in their hands

Supporting Mental Health

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.

YMCA-YWCA logo

When Two Became One

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

A Group of Four People Work on Business Plans

Helping Entrepreneurs Live Their Dream

To help individuals start and grow their own business, we began offering a Self-Employment Program in 1987. We helped hundreds of people turn their dreams into reality and launch local businesses.

Image of three senior women sitting at a table

Combating Social Isolation

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.

The Power of Being a Girl logo

Empowering Girls

In 2005 we began offering a one-day empowerment conference, Power of Being a Girl, tackling issues such as self-esteem, discrimination and healthy relationships. Since then, our programs have evolved to address broader gender-based issues and empowerment for youth.

Two Women Connect in an ESL Class

Welcoming Newcomers

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.