This year the YMCAs across Southwestern Ontario is proud to celebrate our 100 years of changing lives.  From its early beginnings of wartime railroad YWCAs, the Y has maintained its long-standing tradition of being the centre of communities; a reliable charitable organization helping individuals and families reach their full potential. 
 
Join us in our year of celebration by participating in a variety of community events and challenges (stay tuned for details) or by sending us your own YMCA stories and photos for our anniversary webpage.  Please send us your Y pics, news articles, memories or artifacts online to communications@ymcaswo.ca, or you can drop them off at your local YMCA - we'll display them on our website or in our branches.
 
Thank you for helping us celebrate 100 years of providing life-changing experiences for all.




YMCA 2017 Strong Kids Campaign  


We're launching our YMCA Annual Strong Kids Campaign in February and ask for your help by participating in this year's Give Me Five fundraiser. Simply donate $5.00, write your name on a Give Me Five hand, and we'll display it in our YMCA. It's easy! Your donation will help fund local programs that improve the lives of children and youth from families with financial barriers, by giving them access to nutritious food, recreation and healthy environments. At the YMCA, we believe that everyone, regardless of their financial circumstance, deserves the chance to benefit from a YMCA experience. By donating $5 bucks, you'll help us help others. Please visit any of our YMCAs to donate, or visit ystrongkids.ca  for more information on our campaign.

 
We're excited to announce YMCA Project North - a youth leadership initiative for 12 students in Grades 9-11 from Sarnia and surrounding communities.

This unique project will involve participants in a variety of leadership development experiences with a special focus on community service and philanthropy.  Successful applicants will gain insight into their personal leadership potential and abilities, group dynamics, communication, volunteerism and philanthropy.

 After months of training, fundraising, research and planning, participants will participate in a trip to Alberta, Canada, where they will partner with local communities and their youth in hands-on community service projects, as well as a guided outdoor adventure to experience unique cultural and natural highlights of northern Canada. For more information or to apply visit ymcaswo.ca/ProjectNorth



4th Annual Inspiring Women In Huron Award Ceremony - get your tickets today!

The YMCA, in partnershi p with the Huron Women's Shelter is holding the 4th annual Inspiring Women in Huron Awards, recognizing women who have demonstrated a contribution to improving the lives of others in arts and culture, community, diversity, education, business/professional leadership, global action, health and welfare, leadership, philanthropy, social justice, sport, volunteerism, and women's rights.

Friday March 3, 2017
 
Knights of Columbus Hall in Goderich
 

5:30pm - Cocktail Reception (cash bar)  
6:45pm - Dinner  
8:00pm - Guest Speaker (Holly Painter)

Tickets $60.  Available online at www.eventbrite.ca 


On Family Day - Improve your fitness together

Family Day is all about spending time with loved ones and taking advantage of the long weekend. What better way to do that then to enjoy family activities at your local YMCA - for free!  All our YMCAs across Southwestern Ontario will be waiting for you! (Sarnia, Chatham, Goderich, Clinton, Parkhill and Forest).
L-R: Showing off the new books are Paula McCurdy, YMCA Early Childhood Support Worker and YMCA Child Care ECE's Brenda McCormack & Shelagh Dudley
 
 
Thank you to Literacy Lambton for their donation of new books to the YMCA Learning & Career Centre Child Care and the YMCA Resource Houses. We couldn't do the good work of the Y without the help of our community partners!
 
Networking Newcomers
 
YMCA ESL (English as a second language) newcomer students recently attended Sarnia's Chamber of Commerce Business After Five event for a chance to network and showcase their experience and language abilities to help dispel myths commonly associated with newcomers to Canada.  All of the students had an eye-opening experience: some of them connected to potential employers right away, while some decided to stick to staying in class to develop a solid plan and get ready for opportunities in the future.

Home Run for Rotary
 
Thanks to the Rotary Club of Sarnia for their recent donation to YRASP (Youth, Recreation & Sports Program) allowing the YMCA and partners ensure more kids get involved in organized sports, regardless of their ability to pay.
L-R: YMCA Learning & Career Centre General Manager Krista Gillespie accepts a donation from Rotary Club of Sarnia President John Gerard.


 


 
 We're Hiring

The YMCA is currently recruiting for a variety of positions across Southwestern Ontario. Click below for details.
 



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