Providence Care and the YMCA of Eastern Ontario are teaming up to bring seniors and children together under the same roof.

The organizations are ushering in a new era of senior living and childcare programs with an agreement to open a Y childcare centre in the new Providence Manor, tentatively opening in summer 2024.

“If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it is the importance and value of connections,” said Cathy Szabo, Providence Care President & Chief Executive Officer. “Having the YMCA childcare centre on-site creates opportunities for intergenerational socialization and relationship-building. When you combine that with the home-like environment and design features, the new Providence Manor will meet the needs of residents now and well into the future.”

“Our partnership with Providence Care is 100 per cent in line with the mission and values of the YMCA,” added Rob Adams, YMCA of Eastern Ontario CEO. “The Y has a long history of seeking ways to meet the changing needs of its community and that is our strategy as we move through and emerge from the pandemic. The past year has definitely shone a spotlight on these needs and we continue to look for new opportunities and partnerships to enhance our provision of services.”

The YMCA is the largest provider of childcare in Canada with trademarked curricula for pre-school and school-age care programs. In Eastern Ontario, it offers care to 1,245 children in both programs at 15 locations.

The Y childcare centre will be located on the main level of the new long-term care home. While designed with a goal of enhancing connections within the home, the centre will also feature infection control measures including separate entrance/exits.

“The new centre will allow us to meet the challenge that many families face in finding infant care by increasing our capacity by 200 per cent from three to 10 spaces, and to increase toddler spaces by 100 per cent from 15 to 30 spaces. This is good news for Kingston families,” said Jill MacDonald, YMCA of Eastern Ontario Operations Childcare Director.

The long-term care home will be six-storeys and includes approximately 320 beds. Located at Providence Village, it will also feature:

• accessible and easy-to-understand floor plans
• improved dining areas and seating for social interactions
• common areas, including a store and veterans’ lounge
• secure outdoor spaces for access to fresh air, including courtyards, gardens and balconies

“The location of our new childcare centre in the new Providence Manor will be surrounded by green space – a beautiful setting for the children in our care,” Adams added. “The design of this space will set us apart with its modern design, and the natural design of our outdoor play spaces.”

“For more than 150 years, Providence Manor has provided compassionate care for its residents. We are now embarking on the home’s next chapter and we could not be more excited to have the YMCA join us on this journey,” beamed Szabo.

The memorandum of understanding between the two organizations was unanimously approved by the YMCA of Eastern Ontario board of directors.

Ground breaking for the new Providence Manor is tentatively scheduled for April 2022.

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About Providence Care:
Providence Care is Southeastern Ontario’s leading provider of specialized care in aging, mental health and rehabilitation. The organization consists of Providence Care Hospital, Providence Manor long-term care home and more than 20 community-based mental health and support services across the region. To find out more about Providence Care, visit ProvidenceCare.ca or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For more information, contact:
Nikki Jhutti
Communications Officer
Phone: 613-544-4900 ext. 53372
Email: jhuttin@providencecare.ca or info@providencecare.ca

About YMCA of Eastern Ontario:
The YMCA of Eastern Ontario is a charity that provides programs and services to improve health and health outcomes, develops leaders, helps build social connections and provides safe, inclusive spaces for people of all ages. The Y is Canada’s largest provider of childcare with trademarked curricula, and offers fitness and other programs including SCUBA, Karate and Total Life Care.

For more information, contact:
Colleen Gareau
Director, Marketing and Communications
YMCA of Eastern Ontario
Phone: 613-888-9298
Email: colleen.gareau@eo.ymca.ca