Growing Mindfully - YMCA Program

YMCA BC expands the Growing Mindfully program to Chilliwack to help even more 8–12-year-olds be more active and cope with anxiety, stress and emotion regulation

YMCA BC is excited to expand its Growing Mindfully program to the Chilliwack community, which is a program currently running in Kamloops, Prince George, and Coquitlam to help youth 8-12 years old become more active and manage anxiety, stress, worries and emotion regulation. Made possible through the funding support provided by the YMCA BC Foundation, the Growing Mindfully program joins the list of other mental wellness supports YMCA BC offers including Foundry, Y Mind Youth and Y Mind Teen and Mind Medicine. Through this expansion, more children will have the chance to learn strategies to manage anxiety, stress, worries and regulate their emotions through evidence-based psychoeducational support groups led by trained professionals.

“We are excited to be able to address this need in our community and to provide more support to children in Chilliwack.” – Karen Price, General Manager, Bob Chan-Kent Family YMCA

Growing Mindfully is a free physical and mental wellness program for youth 8-12 years old, to support youth with being more active and learning healthy coping strategies. This group consists of a mental wellness component where participants learn tools and strategies to work through difficult emotions and a physical activity component where children learn physical literacy skills and the importance of being active in a fun and supportive environment.

About YMCA BC

By igniting belonging and championing health equity, YMCA BC strengthens the foundations of community. With over 3,000 employees and volunteers, YMCA BC serves 150,000 individuals of all ages, backgrounds and abilities across hundreds of service locations, from the Sunshine Coast to Fort St. John. As a charity, YMCA BC promotes equitable access to healthier outcomes by providing vital programs and services to help address many of our communities' most pressing social issues, including health and wellness, affordable childcare and camps, mental health, employment services and newcomer supports. At our core, the YMCA is committed to creating spaces and experiences where everyone feels safe, welcome, and like they belong. YMCA BC collaborates with YMCA-YWCA Vancouver Island and YMCA Southern Interior on provincial initiatives, valuing the strong partnership with these associations. Learn more at https://bc.ymca.ca/