Strong Kids Campaign - YMCA of Greater Toronto

“There can be hope only for a societywhich acts as one big family,not as many separate ones.”- Anwar el SadatOur vision states: The YMCA ofGreater Toronto will focus on makingconnections: connecting people,connecting with youth andconnecting with the community.Thomas Yang, a former LINC clientand YMCA volunteer for almost twoyears has certainly demonstratedthe practice of putting the YMCAvision into action and how makingconnections comes full circle.Thomas first visited the AssessmentCentre in May 2006 for hislanguage assessment. In May of2007, Thomas began volunteeringwith the YMCA. Since then, he hasproven himself to be an unbelievablydedicated volunteer and evenmore so, a compassionate advocatefor the YMCA, his home countryand his new country.Our Vision in Action:Community ConnectionsThomas’s time at the YMCA hasbeen one success after another,including many new connectionsmade. He has proudly representedthe North York YMCA Employmentand Newcomer Services Centre atPeace Week and Human Rights Dayevents. He recently told the openingY story at a North York site teammeeting, detailing how he and hisLINC classmates raised severalthousand dollars for victims of therecent earthquake in China. Theythen drove to Ottawa and successfullygot the Canadian Red Cross tomatch the funds raised! Heartfeltefforts such as these greatly impressThomas’s YMCA colleaguesand prove to us the power of makingconnections.Thomas was recently elected Presidentof the New Canadian CommunityCentre in North York. In his rolethere, he continues to serve membersof the Chinese immigrant communityand more specifically, seniors.In this position, Thomas successfullycontinues to expand onconnections made with the YMCA.Michele and Heather of the NorthYork YMCA’s Language Assessmentteam were recently invited byThomas to participate in the NewCanadian Community Centre’s HappinessBanquet. Michele and Heatherhad the opportunity to networkwith representatives from the NewCanadian Community Centre as wellas other service providers and eventhe Chinese ambassador! They connectedwith executive directors,presidents, vice-presidents andchairs of different service providingorganizations, communicating thevalue of YMCA programs and takingadvantage of the opportunityto exchange and share ideas.Meet a VolunteerRebecca BraunRebecca Braun is one of CYFD’sfabulous Playing to Learnvolunteers. She is a very welcomevolunteer. A high-school student,Rebecca volunteers every Fridayafternoon at Brownridge ChildCare in York Region after shefinishes class. Not only doesRebecca come weekly, she alsocomes in during her winter andMarch break to spend time withthe children.A volunteer for the past two years,Rebecca has well surpassed her40 hours of community serviceand continues to dedicate hertime and efforts to the YMCA. Thechildren love when Rebecca readsthem stories and sings with them.They look forward to seeing herevery Friday and some look outthe window until they see hercome in. The staff, children andfamilies are very appreciative ofRebecca’s support and the timeshe spends with the preschoolers,kindergartners and school agechildren.

Metro Central YLC UpdateBy Ashlee Thomson, YLC AdvisorThe Metro Central Youth LeaderCorps has been very busy over thelast few months! Besides attendingweekly meetings and participatingin their volunteer time at the MetroCentral YMCA, the YLC have beeninvolved in many initiatives.On December 13, 2008, the YLC andChildren, Youth and Family programstaff hosted the annual pancakebreakfast. It was a huge success withmany happy and full families! Thanksto Sobeys for kindly donating all ourpancake mix, syrup and fruit.With our YMCA Youth Exchangecoming just around the corner, theYLC need to raise money in orderto host the group coming fromChilliwack, B.C. They will be arrivingon April 3, 2009. Our first fundraiserwas a spaghetti lunch on January31, 2009. Again, Sobeys generouslydonated all spaghetti and sauce.With an early morning and everyonesmelling like pasta by the end of theday, we ended up raising $582! Theyouth did such a great job!We recently held our first annualDate Nite, a fun night for kids atthe Y on Valentine’s Day while theparents have a quiet and romanticevening to themselves. The sessionran from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at MetroCentral and raised $1,100.The kids are very excited for theirtrip to Chilliwack B.C. in May 2009.The YMCA Academy and other YLCgroups are also participating inexchanges all across Canada and allthe kids have been working hardfundraising and preparing. We lookforward to meeting new people andseeing another part of Canada!2009 YMCA Corporate TeamChallengeThe YMCA Corporate Team Challengeis being held at ExhibitionPlace on Wednesday, May 27, 2009at 7 p.m. We’re looking for volunteersto act as route marshals, handout water and work the finish line. Ifyou’d like to help out, please contactLisa Rankin at 416-975-9168 ext. 405or lisa.rankin@ymcagta.org.YMCA Strong Kids GolfTournamentOn Thursday, May 28, 2009, theYMCA of Greater Toronto will hostthe 2009 YMCA Strong Kids GolfTournament at the Angus GlenVolunteers NeededGolf Club in Markham, Ontario. Allproceeds go to support the YMCAStrong Kids Campaign and volunteersare needed, rain or shine, tohelp out. If you’d like to volunteer,please contact Max Brett at 416-296-9907 or max.brett@ymacgta.org.YMCA CYFD 2009 WalkathonsChild, Youth and Family Developmentis looking for energetic, enthusiasticvolunteers that are willing to lace uptheir running shoes and assist us onThursday, April 16, 2009, for our annualchild care walkathons. Over 70walkathons will be happening acrossthe GTA and will involve over 600volunteers, 6,000 child participants,300 special guests, and 1,500 staffmembers. We hope to raise morethan $100,000 towards our annualStrong Kids Campaign.We’re looking for volunteers to assistwith preparing healthy snacks,walking with the children, providingsupport to the staff, seeking donationsof treats for our goodie bagsand soliciting donations. Last yearnumerous fire departments, mayors,radio stations and community partnershelped make the day a hugesuccess. If you’re interested in volunteeringat this great event, pleasecontact Lisa Greer at 905-943-9622or lisa.greer@ymcagta.org.

YMCA Employment and Community VolunteersMaking a difference in the GTA!By Mike Dodds, Manager, Volunteer Development and PhilanthropyEmployment and CommunityJanuary 2009 was an exciting month for the 20 YMCA Employment and Community sites acrossthe GTA. Our Volunteer Development team visited the regions of Peel/Scarborough/North York/York and downtown Toronto and met with more than 30 YMCA staff coordinators who currentlysupport the 1,300 volunteers who have dedicated 45,000 hours of service so far this year in ourEmployment and Community centres!Volunteers come from all walks of life and range from high school and university students tonewcomers to Canada from over 50 nations, dedicated professionals, young adults, parents andseniors. These volunteers are offering their time and their talents at YMCA E&C centres becausethey want to give back to their communities and to make a difference by building strong kids,strong families and strong communities.Newcomer Centre volunteer: Meriam Jaiffer“The Newcomer Information Centre is a place like home. For me, volunteering at the YMCA is ‘gettingmore than giving.’ The YMCA helped me to know more about Canada and to understand multiculturalsociety and meet people from around the world. Thank you for giving me the opportunityto volunteer in such a diverse and friendly place.”Markham Business Centre volunteer: Jeffrey Susilo“Each time I think of the YMCA I feel like I am at home. I’m so glad the YMCA is part of my life. Thestaff and other volunteers guide me to see beautiful things in serving the community. You touch myheart deeply with love at the Markham Business Centre. I have been searching for such a fine organizationlike the YMCA for a long time. Thank you YMCA!Peel Youth Village volunteer: Khyati“As a newcomer, Peel Youth Village gave me the opportunity to enhance my various skills like interpersonal,communication, program facilitation and administrative. I also learned about handlingcrisis situations and the various resources available.”As our Employment and Community coordinatorsmet, we talked about the exciting things we’re hearingand seeing through our volunteers. We were veryhappy to hear that across the board, volunteers fromall walks of life love and trust the YMCA. They come toparticipate in our programs as members and they areinspired to get more involved through volunteeringand through donating to our Strong Kids Campaign.I speak for all the YMCA of Greater Toronto Employmentand Community sites and programs when I sendout a resounding thank you to the amazing volunteerswho are making such a difference!Are you a volunteer whoused to be a staff member at theYMCA of Greater Toronto?Contact us at:joelle.berube-cheng@ymcagta.org

1YMCA Open Doors:The Open Doors council is a volunteercouncil established by the YMCAto build partnerships with companies,foundations and high net worthindividuals4Planned giving:Leave a legacy to the YMCA of GreaterToronto through your will or livingtrust or by naming the YMCA ofGreater Toronto as a beneficiary ofyour insurance policy or retirementfund.7In memory:By making a gift in memory of aloved one, you can acknowledgetheir accomplishments in life bygiving to others. The family of theperson you are making a tribute towill receive a card of acknowledgingyour kindness and, for a gift of $15or more, you will receive an incometax receipt.10Volunteering:Last, but certainly not least!You know that as volunteers,you grow, learn andgive back to your community.We appreciate all you dofor us. Thank you!Top 10 Ways You Can Support theYMCA of Greater TorontoYMCA Strong Kids Campaign:Donate to the YMCA Strong KidsCampaign to put money to workin your community by helping tokeep families physically active,send kids to camp, develop leadershipskills in youth, transition peopleinto employment and providequality child care.Endowment:A contribution of an interestbearinggift such as securities orshares of a mutual fund will allowyour gift to have a greater impactover a longer period of time.For more information on supportingthe YMCA of Greater Toronto,please visit our website at:258Corporate partnerships:Your company can become acommunity partner with theYMCA of Greater Toronto. Bybuilding a relationship with theYMCA, they can support specificprograms or projects in yourcommunity, provide in-kind giftsor services or hire new employeesthrough YMCA employmentprograms.www.ymcagta.org/en/donate/index.htmlor email:giving@ymcagta.org3Capital campaigns:The Capital Campaign Fundprovides the funds neededto build and improve YMCAfacilities across the YMCAof Greater Toronto servicearea.6In honour:Mark your friends and family’sspecial occasions bymaking a contribution tothe YMCA of Greater Torontoin their name. Theywill receive a card acknowledginga gift made in theirhonour and, for a gift of $15or more, you will receive anincome tax receipt.9Gifts in kind:Donations of gifts in kind are,for the most part, happilyaccepted. Examples of giftsin kind include donations ofprinting or food services. Ifyou are thinking of donatinga gift in kind to the YMCAof Greater Toronto, contactus first to ensure your giftqualifies for an income taxreceipt.