World YMCA

19/10/2026

🙏🏽 WORLD WEEK OF PRAYER 2026 | 8–14 NOVEMBER

World YMCA and World YWCA have jointly observed the World Week of Prayer and World Fellowship since 1904, gathering communities worldwide for shared prayer, reflection, and Bible study

In a world that needs courage, healing, justice and peace, we are reminded that each of us has a role to play in shaping a better future.

From 8–14 November, the World YMCA and World YWCA invite our global movements to come together for the World Week of Prayer and World Fellowship under the theme “Called for Such a Time as This.”

Inspired by the stories of biblical leaders, we reflect on how we can use our influence to restore hope, lead with courage, advocate for justice, pursue peace and invest in others.

Across our global YMCA family, may this week renew our faith, strengthen our bonds of fellowship and inspire us to turn reflection into meaningful action in our communities and beyond.

https://www.ymca.int/what-we-do/programmes/week-of-prayer/

Since 1904, the World YMCA and World YWCA have come together for the World Week of Prayer and World Fellowship. Find prayer resources here.

16/10/2026

15/10/2026

VOICES OF TRANSFORMATION | LORIS TARAZI

What does it really mean to give young people a seat at the table? And what happens when that seat comes with the power to shape decisions?

Meet Loris Tarazi of East Jerusalem YMCA, a 2019 Change Agent and Youth Board Representative of the Global Youth Mobilisation initiative, whose journey with the YMCA began in childhood in Gaza.

From growing up in YMCA camps to leading summer programmes and advocating for meaningful youth participation in decision-making, Loris’s story is one of leadership, community, and a commitment to ensuring that young people are not simply present, but heard.

Her perspective offers an important reminder: youth participation is about more than being in the room. It is about having the opportunity and authority to influence what happens next.

Discover Loris’s story and what transformation means to her: [Read her story https://www.ymca.int/voices-of-transformation-loris-tarazi/

This story is part of Voices of Transformation, a collection of portraits of twelve people who have each played a part in the YMCA’s Vision 2030 journey, published by World YMCA for the World Council in Toronto, July 2026.https://www.ymca.int/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/YMCA_A5_book_voices_digital.pdf

15/10/2026

For every number, there is a face. For every achievement, a person who chose to show up. And behind every transformation, a story waiting to be told.

In the coming weeks, World YMCA will bring you Voices of Transformation — twelve personal stories from across our global movement, offering a glimpse into the people, experiences, and journeys that give life to Vision 2030.

These are stories that go beyond roles and titles. Stories of belonging, resilience, opportunity, connection, and the many ways a shared vision can transform both individuals and communities.

Because to understand the transformation of our movement, we must first understand the people who make it possible.

This is their journey. This is our shared story.

Stay tuned as we meet the voices behind the transformation.

10/10/2026

Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change. 💚

This World Mental Health Day, we recognise the importance of listening to the people behind the experiences.

Every mental health journey is different. Every story matters. And every person deserves to be heard, understood and supported without judgement.

At the YMCA, we believe stronger communities begin when we create safe spaces for honest conversations, listen with empathy and ensure that lived experiences help shape the support people need.

Today, and every day, let’s move beyond simply talking about mental health. Let’s listen to those with lived experience, learn from their stories and turn their voices into meaningful action.

Because when real voices are heard, real change becomes possible.

04/10/2026

🎮🎵🤖 Where creativity meets technology at YMCA of Greater Hartford

In Q2, the YMCA of Greater Hartford continued creating a space where young people can explore technology, creativity and new ways to express themselves.

From weekly coding and video game creation to photography, video production, generative AI and music production, the digital space gives participants opportunities to experiment with different technologies and turn their ideas into real projects.

As workstations increased, so did interest in the programming. Participation grew by an average of three additional participants per programme, while collaborative breakout groups helped young people work together, share ideas and create.

One participant even used the space to develop a project that was shared with younger youth — demonstrating how digital creativity can extend beyond individual learning and create an impact across the wider YMCA community. 💡

With 65 direct participants and 80 educators engaged, the YMCA of Greater Hartford is showing how access to technology can open the door to creativity, collaboration and new possibilities.

Together with HP Hope, YMCA digital spaces are helping communities explore not only what technology can do, but what people can create with it.

03/10/2026

📚💻 Turning access to technology into progress in the classroom

In Q2, the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast used its digital space and HP-supported laptops to help students build confidence, strengthen digital skills and close learning gaps.

Through MobyMax, an interactive learning platform covering multiple subject areas, students have been using the laptops regularly to reinforce classroom learning and prepare for state standardized testing.

For Grades 3 and 4, that commitment has been especially strong — students increased their average monthly usage from around 12–15 hours to 20 hours as they prepared for testing. 📈

The results are encouraging. The school reported that several participating students who had initially been at risk of retention based on their test scores later improved to at or above grade level.

Beyond academic progress, students are also becoming more confident navigating laptops and taking ownership of their learning, with interactive rewards helping make learning engaging and motivating.

With support from HP Hope, the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast is helping turn digital access into something even more meaningful: greater confidence, stronger learning and new possibilities for student success.

02/10/2026

New World YMCA President Christopher Lewis and Deputy President Emma Osmundsen joined World YMCA staff in Geneva this week, with new Treasurer Laurie L Skinner, joining online from Canada. The new Executive Committee was elected at the 21st YMCA World Council in Toronto in July, and will meet for the first time in Hong Kong in October.

“This visit was about getting to know each other – who we are, and what motivates us with the YMCA”, said Chris Lewis. “All of us have our story with the Y: the diversity of this global Movement is one of its greatest assets. These last few days, we’ve also set some ground rules on openness, clarity and ambition.

“The global Movement is in exciting times, after a superb World Council clearly established two things. First, that Vision 2030 is not just our shared framework, but that it’s being successfully implemented worldwide across the four pillars of Community Wellbeing, Meaningful Work, Sustainable Planet and Just World. And second, that the YMCA is a global player working with a growing number of peer organisations and corporates to make it the world’s partner of choice in empowering young people and communities. Let the next chapter begin!”

29/09/2026

💻✨ Creating, exploring and building with technology at Kenosha YMCA

In Q2, Kenosha YMCA continued creating youth-centered spaces where technology becomes a tool for creativity, learning and future opportunity — with support from HP Hope.

Through 10 digital spaces, including the Best Buy Teen Tech Center, young people explored digital art and design, coding and STEM, media and content creation, and technology-based career and workforce opportunities.

The impact goes beyond learning how to use technology. Youth are building problem-solving, teamwork, communication and creative skills, while gaining the confidence to explore new tools and take greater ownership of their projects. 💡

One standout example was Latonya, a learner who took an interest when a 3D printer in the digital space stopped working. With guidance from staff, she helped troubleshoot the problem and get the printer running again. Her experience turned a technical challenge into an opportunity to build confidence, problem-solving skills and leadership. 🖨️🙌

With 50 direct participants and nearly 10,000 people reached through online visibility, Kenosha YMCA’s digital spaces are helping more young people see technology not just as something to use, but as something they can create with, solve with and build their future around.

Together with HP, the YMCA continues to expand opportunities for young people to learn, create and thrive in a digital world.

29/09/2026

Communities around the world, and young people in particular, are facing significant pressures that undermine wellbeing – from rising living costs and workforce insecurity to geopolitical instability, the AI revolution, climate disruption, and strained health and social support systems.

Over the last 12 months, World YMCA and McKinsey Health Institute leaders have worked on identifying a new Community Wellbeing Framework— it connects four individual wellbeing outcomes with the three key community wellbeing outcomes that shape them.

Why does this matter? Because:
🔹 4 in 10 adults experience high amounts of worry or stress;
🔹 1 in 4 people report being very or fairly lonely
🔹 8 in 10 young people feel those in power don’t care what they have to say

When we measure only individual outcomes, we miss the community outcomes that shape them. When we invest only in programmes, we miss the systems that sustain wellbeing. Placing this framework in the hands of communities offers a shared structure to understand, measure, and act on both; allowing the community members to all sing in harmony and from the same book.

Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/gVMm6fJh

See the full announcement: https://lnkd.in/dhYgMVT9