Since 1875, the Vancouver Island Y has been supporting healthy individuals building strong communities, as a continuing member of both the YMCA and YWCA federations.

In addition to the Young Mom’s program at Kiwanis House, we operate another housing initiative for youth at risk with Victoria Cool Aid Society on Pandora Street, and a variety of programs broadly categorized under community health, youth learning & leadership development or outdoor activities. With approximately 24,000 members, the Y currently has 3 health & fitness facilities with licenced childcare centres, a 1200 acre wilderness experience at Camp Thunderbird, and we remotely deliver initiatives across the Island including Y-Mind supporting mental wellness for youth, and the annual Power of Being a Girl event.

The Vancouver Island Y builds strong communities by improving the health, fitness and well-being of individuals and families. We nurture the potential of youth, promote equality and provide opportunities for giving back.

Since Jan. 20, 1919, the Kiwanis Club of Victoria has had a host of projects over the years benefiting youth, families, and seniors. For example, the Young Mom’s Program operates out of Kiwanis House, a home for young moms escaping addiction and abuse; this is a great partnership between Victoria Kiwanis and the YMCA-YWCA. (A centennial year highlight for the club will be renovating Kiwanis House to allow two more families to receive services, through a partnership with HeroWork.)

We also have the Kiwanis Emergency Youth Shelter – Greater Victoria’s only youth shelter – which is operated through a partnership with the Youth Empowerment Society. Our support for youth includes youth leadership programs at the high school and university levels, a student recognition program that has been held annually since 1974, and the student crossing guard program that has been in local schools since 1936. We also provide low income housing to hundreds of families and seniors and much more.