We build families communities - YMCA Calgary

My home away from home
By Elsa Majano
I have been a staff member at YMCA Calgary since 1991. The first
thing I noticed about the YMCA was that the people here are so
very nice. I hadn’t really seen anything like that before.
I came to Canada from El Salvador in 1987. First, I worked
in a restaurant as a prep-cook. Then, I heard about the job
at Eau Claire YMCA in the laundry. I worked there for many
years and then, in 2002, I came to Shawnessy YMCA to look
after the Women’s Plus locker room.
At Shawnessy YMCA, many families come to visit. Here, there
is lots of laughing and you get to see many happy, young faces.
I like working at the Calgary YMCA. People here tell me they
like me because I am very nice and keep the place tidy and
clean. I enjoy my job in housekeeping because I like helping
people and making sure they have everything they need. I
always try to keep a big smile on my face and make everyone
feel welcome here. I spend a full day at my job and still feel
happy when I go home.
I can always come to my supervisors about anything—they always
have time for me. My coworkers are always smiling. They help
anyone out any time they need something. Sometimes, they call
me to the front desk to speak to people in Spanish. I teach a little
Spanish to the staff and some of the members as well.
I have helped out with the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign,
asking others to contribute to help kids come to the YMCA.
At Christmas time, I like to decorate the tree and front desk.
I put up decorations for Halloween too, and people tell me
how nice everything looks. In the summer, the YMCA has a
big Stampede Breakfast, which everybody enjoys.
The members like to talk to me and I like to talk to them.
They ask me about my home country, how my kids are doing,
why I came to Canada and how I’m liking the cold and snow.
At Christmas, some of them even give me gifts, which is
very special.
The YMCA is a big part of my life. The YMCA has offered
many programs for my three kids. They got to go to Camp
Chief Hector and they especially like the swimming pool.
The staff also taught me how to swim. When my son grew up,
he worked in the men’s locker room and volunteered at the
front desk. My daughter also volunteered at the front desk.
My grandson was in child care and he loved the staff there.
I am 60 years old now. I tell my husband when I retire, I would
still like to keep working here part-time. What can I say? The
YMCA is like my second home.
“I like helping people
and making sure they
have everything they
need. I always try to
keep a big smile on
my face and make
everyone feel welcome
here. I spend a full
day at my job and
still feel happy when
I go home.”
YMCA Calgary employs more than 1,000 full-time, part-time and seasonal staff and
more than 900 volunteers who give approximately 90,000 hours each year.
YMCA Calgary // Annual Report ‘09
9