YMCA looks to counter community disconnect
By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on September 20, 2024.
Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Residents are seeing entering the Cor Van Raay YMCA on Thursday afternoon.LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com
A survey conducted by YMCA Canada from Aug. 29 to Sept. 3 among a representative sample of 1,501 online Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum has revealed that six in 10 Canadians have little or no sense of community.
Jennifer Petracek-Kolb, YMCA Lethbridge CEO, spoke about the survey results and what the Cor Van Ray YMCA is doing to help local residents connect with their community.
“We feel that is a really large number of people and we would like to see that number turn around. We would like to see people are feeling engage and feeling a sense of belonging,” said Petracek-Kolb.
She said after seeing those results, the YMCA felt the need to let residents know they can help with community building and realize their full potential and to become overall healthier individuals.
“That doesn’t necessarily just mean physically, it might not mean that at all. It could mean around how they build friendships, how they come to understand how they contribute back to a healthy community, how they might volunteer in order to meet other people or to build skills,” said Petracek-Kolb.
The survey revealed that a staggering 60 per cent of Canadians feel disconnected from their community, with 16 per cent reporting they never feel a sense of community and 44 per cent experiencing it only sometimes.
The survey also revealed that feelings of disconnection are particularly acute among Canadians under 55, with 68 per cent of 18 to 34-year-olds and 64 per cent of 25 to 54-year-olds feeling a lack of belonging. These feelings were most pronounced among the unemployed, with a 76 per cent feeling disconnected from their communities.
“What we want to do is to remind people that the YMCA is a safe place where they can come, that we have programs for people of all ages, of all demographics and we are a really inexpensive way for people to come and engage in programming,” said Petracek-Kolb.
She added that they invite residents to be volunteers and would love to see them as participants in the many programs they have.
The survey also uncovered solutions among those who feel a stronger sense of connection. Key factors contributing to a feeling of belonging include spending less time on electronic devices, engaging in extracurricular activities that foster community involvement and interacting with others outside of work or school at least twice a week
“We want to remind people that even though we are known for our fitness and aquatics centres, we also have programs for so many more things, like new parents, newcomers, people who want to volunteer and get involve with the community, people who want to be engaged with youth in our community, as few examples,” said Petracek-Kolb.
She added that they also have programming for seniors in the community that are free of charge, where seniors can stop by and connect with others and regain their sense of belonging.
“We have a coffee club that anyone is invited to for no charge on Monday, Wednesdays and Friday mornings. It starts at about 8:45 and it goes till about 10:30 and anyone from the community is invited to come in and speak with other seniors in the community,” said Petracek-Kolb.
She added that they also created partnerships with other organizations like Nord-Bridge Seniors Centre and the Alzheimer’s Society to provide seniors in the community with opportunities to connect.
In addition to age and screen time, the survey reveals that income plays a significant role in Canadians’ ability to maintain social connections. Among employed Canadians and students, 64 per cent of those earning over $100,000 annually report seeing people five to seven times a week, while 43 per cent of Canadians interact with others outside of work or school only two days a week or less.
For lower-income Canadians, the struggle is even more pronounced. Only 28 per cent of those earning below $50,000 annually experience social interactions five to seven times per week compared to 42 per cent of higher earners.
“The YMCA’s affordable programs, coupled with financial assistance, provide a crucial bridge for those facing economic barriers, ensuring everyone can engage with their community, regardless of their financial situation,” said Petracek-Kolb.
19-18
After reading the article “YMCA Looks to Counter Community Disconnect”, I felt compelled to dig deeper into the YMCA’s pricing structure and the reality of Lethbridge’s population income levels. The YMCA claims to offer affordable access for all, but I’ve found a disconnect between their pricing and the actual financial situation of many residents in our community. Here’s why I think the current costs don’t align with their mission of inclusivity.
Income Realities in Lethbridge
According to the 2021 Census data for Lethbridge, the median total income is:
Overall: $42,000
Men: $49,200
Women: $36,400
Additionally:
28% of individuals in Lethbridge earn under $30,000 per year.
A significant portion of the population falls within lower income brackets, meaning they are likely struggling with the high cost of living, let alone luxury expenditures like gym memberships.
For many families, especially single-income or lower-middle-income households, a YMCA family membership at $154 per month (or $1,848 annually) is a heavy burden. For someone making the median income of $42,000 per year, this membership represents 4.4% of their monthly income, which is a big ask, especially with the rising costs of housing, utilities, and groceries.
YMCA’s Financial Health
The YMCA’s own financial report for 2023 shows that they are, in fact, quite profitable:
The YMCA generated $10,977,991 in revenue, with $260,619 in profit even before accounting for other income.
Their total profit for the year ended up being $419,745, and they finished the year with cash reserves of over $3 million, indicating strong financial health.
Given this strong financial standing, there is certainly room for the YMCA to lower its membership rates or expand their assistance programs to truly live up to their mission of inclusivity.
Comparing the YMCA to Other Options
Recently, my family visited the Cowichan Aquatic Centre in Duncan, and the experience was notably better for a lower cost. For example:
Family Day Pass at Cowichan: $16.60 vs. YMCA’s $32.50.
Monthly Family Membership at Cowichan: $127.90 vs. YMCA’s $154.
Cowichan offers heated pools, more amenities, and an overall better experience for a much lower price.
Leisure Access Program in Cowichan
Cowichan offers a Leisure Access Program with clear income cutoffs for families who make below a certain threshold (for example, $48,550 for a family of four). This ensures that families in need can still access the services. In contrast, the YMCA’s assisted memberships don’t clearly define income thresholds, making it harder for families to know whether they qualify, and they may still find the fees prohibitive even with discounts.
The Disconnect
The survey mentioned in the article highlights that 60% of Canadians feel disconnected from their communities, with 76% of unemployed individuals feeling particularly isolated. This disconnection is tied to economic challenges. How can the YMCA claim to address this when the very people feeling disconnected might be priced out of their services?
Final Thoughts
If the YMCA is serious about community building, it needs to reconsider its pricing strategy. With $419,745 in profit and over $3 million in cash reserves, the YMCA has the ability to make its services more affordable for lower-income families in Lethbridge. It’s time to align their mission with their actions by reducing costs and expanding accessibility for those who need it most.
Sources:
2021 Census Data for Lethbridge: Stats Canada
YMCA Financial Report for 2023: Lethbridge YMCA Financial Reports
Lethbridge Herald Article: YMCA Looks to Counter Community Disconnect