The YMCA started offering exchanges in 1976 but didn’t have support from the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Exchanges Canada Program until 2000. Before this partnership, the YMCA’s exchange program averaged about 600 participants a year; afterwards, the number increased to approximately 2,200 participants yearly.
From 2000 until 2009, the YMCA partnered with the Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability (ALACD) to support an exchange experience for youth who required more support. Nine exchanges solely for youth with disabilities occurred, and 886 youth and supporting adults participated.
In March 2003, the SARS outbreak in Toronto began significantly impacting the program. Groups travelling to or passing through Toronto were concerned about participants’ health and safety, and the YMCA, group organizers, and families became focused on this issue.
YEC participants had the unique opportunity to act as Canadian ambassadors at the 2005 World Expo in Japan and showcase Canada’s diversity at the international event. The program sent 12 groups to Japan, which included 162 youth and adult group leaders.
The YMCA of Greater Toronto partnered with the Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement and Brock University for two years to investigate youth engagement in the YMCA’s Youth Exchanges Canada program and the impact of their participation over time.
In 2009, giving back to the local community was introduced as a component of YEC. As part of their exchange, groups organized and participated in a day of service for the community
From 2009 to 2017 , the YEC recruited former youth participants across Canada to develop a Youth Advisory Committee. Members helped shape the program and developed resources for youth participants and adult group leaders.
The Youth Advisory Committee wrote and developed this guide for future youth participants. The Youth Guide is one of the Youth Advisory Committee’s biggest legacies. Since 2009, thousands of participants have used it, and it continues to shape their engagement in the program.
The program reached a major milestone, welcoming its 1,000th group and surpassing 20,000 participants since 2000.
The YMCA participated in a research study that looked at youth engagement and activity involvement as a predictor of future positive outcomes.