We build families communities - YMCA Calgary

Immigrant program does more than teach English
By Gloria Palacios
I came to Calgary from Bogotá, Colombia in May of 2007.
First, I took English lessons at a Calgary college. It was nice,
but there was something missing for me.
Luckily, there was an opening at the YMCA LINC (Language
Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) program at the
South YMCA.
I went downstairs to the classroom where I met some people
and my teacher. I think she was the best teacher I’ve had in
my life. She was really kind with me and created a good
environment for us all. The teacher started doing different
classes with us every day. I started speaking English where
before I was mute.
Before, I thought the YMCA was just fitness. The YMCA is a
lot of things. The people at the YMCA took my class to
Heritage Park, to the museum and the zoo. They share with
you and your family the culture of Canada. When you come
to the YMCA, you find smiles everywhere. I often find it is the
small things that make the difference.
One time, the teacher told us about Camp Chief Hector
YMCA. I was surprised because as students, we got the chance
to send our children at a very reasonable price. For my family,
this was important because we were new here in Canada. The
YMCA also gave us memberships. They gave us many services
and treated us just like everyone else at the YMCA.
At the YMCA, I finished the level four LINC program and got
the highest mark on the exam. Because of the confidence this
school gave me, I went to Mount Royal University and finished
my English as a Second Language studies. I then got a job for
five months as a computer tutor.
The YMCA gave such opportunity to me and my family, so I felt we
had to give something back. I decided to become a volunteer. My
volunteering started at the Community YMCA downtown with a
computer class. The instructor of the class gave me autonomy in
front of the group and showed that she trusted me.
In 2009, I came to volunteer at the South YMCA. I work
with the LINC students, sometimes with career advice and
sometimes with English skills. Usually, I come to the classroom
and we start reading. I listen to the students and help correct
their mistakes. I share my experience, to give them confidence
and the inspiration to do better. That is my goal.
“The YMCA gave
such opportunity to
me and my family,
so I felt we had to
give something back.
I decided to become
a volunteer.”
We offer outreach programs from more than
60 sites around the city, many of them schools.
YMCA Calgary // Annual Report ‘09
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