IGNITE THE FUTURE CAMPAIGN RAISES $750,000 FOR YOUTH IMPACT FUND

The Fredericton YMCA Endowment Fund is celebrating the success of its Ignite the Future Campaign, which raised $750,000 to establish the J.T. Clark Family Foundation Youth Impact Fund. This permanent endowment will provide sustainable, annual funding for Youth Access memberships for generations to come.

Launched in September 2025, Ignite the Future was created to ensure that no child or youth would be turned away from the YMCA due to financial barriers. Through the leadership of the Fredericton YMCA Endowment Fund Board, community donors, and a transformational matching gift from the J.T. Clark Family Foundation, the campaign exceeded its goal and created a lasting source of support for children and youth.

“This campaign was about more than fundraising,” said Darcy Delaney, President and CEO of the Fredericton YMCA. “It showed what is possible when a community turns shared values into action.”

The J.T. Clark Family Foundation matched $250,000 raised by the Fredericton YMCA Endowment Fund, helping to establish the J.T. Clark Family Foundation Youth Impact Fund.

“The Clark family’s connection to the YMCA spans five generations,” said John T. Clark Sr., Chairman Emeritus of the J.T. Clark Family Foundation. “Supporting this fund was about investing in the future of our community.”

The Youth Impact Fund will provide ongoing support for Youth Access memberships, ensuring more than 90 children and youth each year can access YMCA programs that promote belonging, wellbeing, and leadership.

Peter Clark, Chair of the Fredericton YMCA Endowment Fund Board, noted the long term impact of the campaign.

“Endowment funds are about permanence,” said Clark. “This investment ensures the YMCA can continue removing barriers for youth—not just today, but for generations to come.”

For more information about the Fredericton YMCA or the Youth Impact Fund, please visit our website.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR MARCH

March 1: Start of the new fitness challenge

March 2 – 8: March Break. There will be no registered programs during this week.

March 9: Online Registration for Summer Day Camps starts at 7:00 a.m.

March 20: Deadline to apply to be on the Board of Directors

March 27: Online Registration for Spring Registered Programs starts at 7:00 a.m.

March 29: Last day for Winter Registered Programs

$3,054 Raised for Strong Communities Fund

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY BREAKFAST! 

We had an incredible turn out on Saturday Morning for the Nashwaaksis Y Service Club Fundraising Breakfast for Strong Communities.

In fact, we managed to raise $3,054 for the Strong Communities Fund! This fund will directly impact our community by providing the opportunity for more people to access the programs and amenities that we can offer at your Y!

A heart felt thank you to all of the volunteers, supporters and diners who made this happen.

What a great way to make an impact and ignite a Saturday!

Spring is just around the corner, and we are getting ready to roll out Spring Registered Programs! Expect our program guide to drop the week of March 9. Stay tuned to our website for details!



Online registration for spring programs will start at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, March 27. Spring programs will run the week of April 7 through to the week of June 15. Memberships must be ACTIVE at time of registration.

It's time to start planning for those warm summer days! Whether your child is looking to splash away this summer, tumble and stretch, engage in science, run around outside or do a little bit of everything, we've got the camp for you!

Registration for our Licensed Summer Day Camps at 570 York Street and our Youth Program Summer Camps at the Nashwaaksis Fieldhouse at 324 Fulton Avenue will start on Monday, March 9 at 7:00 a.m. ONLINE.

For all schedules, prices and descriptions, please visit our website here. We can't wait to have fun with you this summer!

For more information, please contact our Manager of Youth Programs, Mike On. michael.on@ymcafredericton.org

MacKenzie Fawcett is one of the YMCA Personal Trainers who works in the Wellness Centre at 570 York Street. We caught up with MacKenzie to find out why she loves our Y!


Q: What do you love about our Y? 

What isn’t there to love about the Y? I love how the Y connects people and encourages everyone to be their best. The focus on inclusivity and accessibility is something I really believe in. A big part of that for me is my personal training clients – they inspire me every day. Getting to watch members make progress and celebrate small wins is incredibly rewarding. I always leave work feeling grateful to do what I do!


Q: What is your position & how did you find yourself working in the field of health and wellness? 

I grew up playing soccer and later got into distance running and functional strength training, which are still big passions of mine. I did my undergrad in kinesiology thinking I’d go into physio or OT. Through that experience, I realized how much I loved the interpersonal side of healthcare – but also that it wasn’t quite the right path for me. While in school, I started working at the Y in the wellness center and was lucky to have a great mentor, which is where I found my passion for community wellness. I later moved to Fredericton to pursue my MBA in Sport and Recreation Management and began working as a personal trainer. It’s been rewarding to build a career around something I care about, and the Fredericton Y helped me feel at home in a new province.


Q: What makes the YMCA of Fredericton so special?

There’s a real sense of care and heart in the people who work here. I appreciate how Darcy is such a hands-on CEO – always going the extra mile to improve the facility and connect with members. The same goes for Joan, who has a natural warmth and a way of making people feel truly valued. And the members really make the space what it is – it’s a welcoming environment where people genuinely enjoy being.

Do you have a Y story you want to share?

Please email our Manager of Marketing & Communications

JOIN OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS


Are you interested in making a significant contribution to the success of the Fredericton YMCA? Do you want to expand your network?

The Fredericton YMCA is currently seeking strong leaders within our community to become members of our Board of Directors for 2026/2027. The deadline to apply is March 20.

Please visit us online to apply.

We look forward to working with you!

MUAY THAI IGNITE

Competitive Muay Thai Training Expansion

Get ready to go to the next level in Muay Thai. The YMCA of Fredericton is rolling out competitive programming to better support athletes preparing for upcoming 2026 championships and competitive events.

In addition to the current three weekly general Muay Thai classes open to all members, two new specialized training sessions will be introduced, bringing the total to five classes per week.

These additional sessions are designed specifically for athletes who are committed to competition. The program will focus on advanced techniques, high-level conditioning, fight strategy, controlled sparring, and overall competition development. Training will emphasize discipline, performance readiness, and skill refinement to elevate each athlete’s competitive potential.

By expanding the program, the YMCA of Fredericton aims to strengthen its Muay Thai offerings, enhance athlete performance, and build a strong competitive team representing the YMCA.

Schedule for Specialized Competitive Training:

Monday and Wednesday

8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

For more information, please see the full description in our upcoming Spring Program Guide.

Consistency Challenge

Your passport to fitness has arrived! This March, we will focus on CONSISTENCY.

First, you will need to pick up a Passport from the Wellness Centre Desk. They will be available at both 570 York Street and Fredericton North YMCA in Willie O'Ree.

Second, after you have completed your own work out, you will check in with a personal trainer to get a stamp in your passport!

Third, submit your passport to the Wellness Centre on March 31st for a chance to win some much-coveted Y swag!

Not so difficult! And we don't even require a passport photo!