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