YMCA Calgary considers our international partners and colleagues from YMCA Ukraine as part of our extended family.
As part of our active involvement in the World Alliance of YMCAs, we directly partner with the YMCA in Ukraine and Bogotá, Colombia to exchange expertise, resources, and share ideas.
Over the last 15 years, we have worked together to share ideas with a common goal – to make our communities better for future generations. They have been leaders in youth engagement and demonstrate an incredible commitment to building community through volunteer efforts.
We have been receiving regular updates from the YMCA Ukraine team at the national office and can share that they have been optimistic and resilient while experiencing heightened stress and anxiety. Just days ago, the team was holding an international workshop on the topics of conflict prevention and resolution, psychosocial resilience, and employability in crisis situations.
We share their hopes for peace and keep them in the forefront of our thoughts.