For 170 years, we’ve cared for kids, shaped leaders for tomorrow, helped generations of people come together for support, and provide experiences that last a lifetime.
With the help of the Y we can all Shine. There is potential inside all of us. But obstacles can get in the way: fear, doubt, a lack of affordable housing, isolation, discrimination. The Y believes everyone has the skills and ability to achieve. Every obstacle can be met with support, positivity and guidance. Every single person is worthy of the opportunity to shine. And when each of us shines, the collective strength of an entire community can be realized.
Chief Executive Officer
Yvonne Smith
Chief Financial Officer
Jennifer Keating-Hubley
Youth Director
Kim Whitman-Mansfield
Childcare Manager
Kim Roy
Childcare Director
Leanna Tacda
Centre Manager
Samantha Green
BAP (After School) Coordinator _ Lunenburg, Queens & Shelburne County
Karen Jodrey
BAP (After School) Coordinator – Fundy & Annaoplis County
Maddi Dobie
BAP (After School) Coordinator – Bridgewater Elementary & Hebbville Elementary
Leanna Tacda
Assistant Youth Director
Serena Meaney
Wellness Lead
Denise Covey
Women’s Entrepreneurship Coordinator
Helen Abel
Greenwood Childcare Director
Samantha Taylor
Liverpool YMCA Childcare Director
Bayleigh Mansfield
Our History
Lunenburg County YMCA was first opened in 1989 in Bridgewater on Dominion Street, to meet a demand for quality, affordable child care in Lunenburg County and to fill other community needs. After moving to the Bridgewater Plaza, the YMCA began to offer fitness and health programs and expanded its childcare services.
The YMCA moved to 416 King St., Bridgewater. Although this move significantly expanded its fitness and health programs, rapid growth and demand for new programs quickly resulted in the facility becoming woefully inadequate.
In the year 2000 the YMCA and the Nova Scotia Community College formed a partnership based on shared values and mission for serving the community. Two years later, on September 10, 2002 they entered into an agreement to work together towards the construction of a new YMCA on the NSCC Campus in Bridgewater. More than $990,000 was raised to build the new facility, which was officially opened by The Honourable Myra A. Freeman on May 4th, 2005.
Speaking with the Parent Advisory Committee early in the year, Lunenburg County YMCA formed an agreement with local education services.
Sharing a vision to promote personal growth as individuals and members of the community, a thriving after school program within the walls of Hebbville Academy emerged.
This development notably improved our ability to meet the increased demand for quality child care services in Bridgewater.
During thorough assessment by our Board of Directors, a decision was made to grow a new after school program into a familiar area for Lunenburg County YMCA – 416 King St. Bridgewater.
Without space at the High Street location to provide a Youth Centre, the King Street after-school centre became an ideal location to offer free programming benefiting youth of Lunenburg County. In November, YMCA officials marked the official opening of its King Street Youth Centre.
YMCA Youth Leader Emily Seymour told those in attendance that “it was important that youth be involved with all the aspects of the planning of the youth centre, including presenting to the town and municipal councils so that local government understood our vision, to quote a fellow youth leadership corps member, a place with no drama and no judgment.”
The Lunenburg County YMCA and the Fundy YMCA agree to a name change, better reflecting their current operation. The name "YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia" is adopted, and now one Board is responsible for the governance of the two organizations.
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Elspeth McLean-Wile, enthusiastically remarked, “our work will continue to build on the YMCA mission of having a healthier community in mind, body, and spirit. We look forward to the new challenges that lie ahead and remain steadfast in our commitment to the Y being a vital part of life in Southwest Nova Scotia. Our name change reflects the bigger role we see the organization playing in serving the communities of our region.”
Bethe Earle and Lawrence Gardner, two members of the Fundy YMCA, played an important role in the strategic planning meeting that identified the importance of the name change.
The Lunenburg County YMCA began further expansion of child care afterschool programs
The YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia had a busy 2022 - we opened a childcare facility in Greenwood, and entered into an agreement with the Government of Nova Scotia to provide two Youth Outreach Programs in Lunenburg County.
Y Our Safe Space - Empowering Youth (for ages 12-24 yrs) opened its doors.
It later partnered with YMCA Canada to provide a Youth Transitions Program.
The YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia saw major expansion in 2023 when it expanded into Queens County with a third Youth Outreach Program.
In March of '23, the Lunenburg County YMCA partnered with the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre (LCLC) and offered joint memberships for its members.
In September '23, the Liverpool YMCA Youth Centre opened its doors for Youth aged 12-24 years old.
But it wasn't just Youth to benefit from the expansion into Queens County - the YMCA SWNS opened it's doors to the Liverpool YMCA Child Care Centre.
The YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia opens it's Infant Child Care space in the Lunenburg County YMCA!
History of YMCAs in Canada
The YMCA story began in London, England over 170 years ago with one man who had an idea about how to make his community stronger.
From that idea sprang a movement that would spread across the globe,
inspiring millions to grow in spirit, mind and body.
Our Commitment
As a charitable organization, the YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia has an obligation to remain publicly accountable. As a values-based organization, we are committed to fostering an open, honest and inclusive environment. To deliver on our commitment, we’re providing access to information which ensures we are accountable to the communities we serve. This includes information regarding:
By leveraging our strengths and collaborating with partners, we will establish and expand services for families across the region. Children and youth thrive with access to quality and inclusive programming. We are committed to meeting needs in our region’s rural areas so that all children and youth are connected and feel a sense of belonging.
By leading or working with like-minded organizations we will broaden the reach of our community-based healthcare solutions. With the right opportunities people of all ages adopt behaviours to achieve lifelong health.
By shining a light on the impact of the YMCA we will attract staff, volunteers, and partners who adhere to our values and are inspired by our vision. Strong partnerships and financial models will position us to respond flexibly to community needs and opportunities.