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My journey with Jumpstart began about 18 months ago. I read an article in the Waikato Times about the programme offered through YMCA Hamilton. I thought it might be a good idea to see what was entailed in the programme and made a call. 

Work. Finances. Chores. School routines. With the pressures of daily life it’s little wonder so many Kiwi families struggle to spend quality time together, and the numbers prove it.

For eight years, Niloufer Sultana has faced a number of health challenges, including being diagnosed as pre-diabetic, and suffering from a stroke and three heart attacks. By 2016 Niloufer knew it was time for a lifestyle change. Upon joining the YMCA, she felt she had finally found a place where she was welcome and comfortable enough to work on her health.

Hamilton YMCA runs one of the country's biggest after-school care programmes, which has won a sought-after award for its efforts.

The YMCA won the Outstanding Children's Services Award at the organisation's Auckland AGM earlier this month.

The Hamilton OSCAR scheme provides eight after school, five before school and nine school holiday programmes all over the city and partners with 22 different schools.

YMCA Hamilton is taking the guess work out of winter school holiday activities this year by offering a range of fun and engaging sessions for kids aged 5 to 15 across seven different locations. 

For a lot of people, even the idea of getting up at 5.30 in the morning is rather draining. For Ethan Elder-Bickers, however, an 11-year-old boy from Hamilton, it’s become a way of life for two mornings each week.

What makes Ethan’s story even more impressive is that before he does this, Ethan has to put metal splints on his legs to help them work. This is something that he does every morning because Ethan has Muscular Dystrophy.

Find out how much of a difference YMCA is making in the life of an 11 year old boy. 

Summer holidays are the ultimate time for adventure – and for a lucky group of kids from the YMCA Hamilton Recreation Centre’s school holiday programme, adventure came in the form of a fishing trip to the Coromandel.

Bright and early on a late January morning, the group of eight kids and four YMCA staffers piled into two vans and hit the road; amped up for a day of sun and sights.

Find out who caught the most Snapper on the Coromandel adventure

YMCA Hamilton is dedicated to building strong kids, strong families and strong communities. This vision is at the heart of the work being done through their Melville After School Care programme.

It wasn't commercially viable to run an after school care programme at Melville Primary School, but that doesn't change the need in the community.

Find out how YMCA Hamilton is helping kids in the Melville Community.

Members of Qatar’s U-20 national football team touched down in New Zealand recently to compete in the FIFA U-20 World Cup. It’s the first time that Qatar has been a part of the FIFA U-20 World Cup for 20 years, and the team made the most of enjoying New Zealand by engaging with the local Waikato community.

Find out how Variety, YMCA and Qatar's football team have been working together to invest into the Hamilton Community