We build families communities - YMCA Calgary

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10 “The YMCA is a special place to be. It’s family-oriented, a safe place and the staff are wonderful... It’s such a great part of my life!” YMCA Calgary // Annual Report ‘09 A YMCA family By Jacquie O’Donoghue We moved to Calgary in 1969—my husband and I, and our nine children, aged 2 to 17. We lived just around the corner from the South YMCA. When we first went there, we were told there was a three-year waiting list! At that time, the South YMCA was really hopping—on some registration days, there were line-ups out the door and down the street! It took a couple of years to get in, but when we did, the YMCA became such a big part of our family life. All my kids who didn’t know how learned to swim at the South YMCA. Five of them took their lifeguard training and became lifeguards there. They also got into competitive swimming with a club that started out at the South YMCA. I was a YMCA volunteer swimming instructor for 15 years until 1986—I taught a lot of kids how to swim! And today, I still get together with the people who worked with me. The YMCA has stayed with us. The friends my kids made at the YMCA are still their friends today. And now my grandchildren are also involved. Two of my granddaughters were counselors at Camp Chief Hector YMCA. And, my seven-year-old grandson went to day care at the South YMCA and is now in the afterschool program at the branch. The YMCA is a special place to be. It’s family-oriented, a safe place and the staff are wonderful. It’s important to me, my kids and their kids. I still come to the South YMCA three or four times a week—it’s such a great part of my life!
My own YMCA success story By Fatuma Mwenge I have been a full-time student in the YMCA language program at the South YMCA for two years. It has been wonderful and I feel lucky to be here. I was never interested in doing exercise, despite my doctor’s advice that I needed it and his warning that without it, my health and life expectancy could be seriously compromised. My doctor was right. Of that, I had no doubt, because there were times when my heart raced and pounded. These episodes left me quite breathless and worried. I have children, who fill my heart with their beauty and love. They are still young and I want to be with them for a long lifetime. Still, I did not start to exercise or diet. Then one day, my YMCA English teacher took our class to the YMCA gym. She showed us the machines and explained how to use them. I was curious and tried one, surprised to find exercise is enjoyable. When class ended, I found it was much too soon, so I stayed an hour longer. Now, using the workout facilities is a habit. The YMCA language program and going to the gym have changed everything. My mind is in tune with my body and my body feels well— the more exercise I do, the better I feel. I no longer pause on every step of a stairway to catch my breath, but walk up and down easily. My heart no longer races, but maintains a calm and steady beat. And, the more English I know, the easier it is to communicate with other people. I appreciate what the Calgary YMCA has given to me. I am confident in my English and my fitness. Being a part of the YMCA is a good way of living. “The YMCA language program and going to the gym have changed everything. My mind is tune with my body and my body feels well—the more exercise I do, the better I feel.” YMCA Calgary // Annual Report ‘09 11
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Page 9: Strong Kids Campaign funds life fun
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