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MessageFrom the President & CEO
Jason Brown (Biography) Greetings, and thank you for being a part of the Y! As we enter 2010 we can look back on the past four years of change and development at the Y and look ahead to an exciting future. Seeing the work of our employees and volunteers in the delivery of our mission every day of the year is one of the most gratifying parts of my job. As you visit our locations, I know you will see some very positive additions to how we are communicating with you about the Y, with more on the way. Since 1854 the Y in our communities has been helping people transform their lives. Together, we are working to change the Association to the benefit of everyone. As we continue on our process of change we will continue training staff and volunteers to manage change carefully and with sensitivity. We have two information sessions a year – one in the spring and one in the fall. The spring session will be scheduled in May, 2010. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to talk to the General Manager or Duty Manager at your Y location, or contact Y staff right away. You are also welcome to use an e-comment card. Again, thank you for being a part of the Y! Jason Brown, President and CEO
Past messagesE-newsletter message Fall 2009 Helping people learn and grow - Spring/Summer 2009 Transformation and change - Fall 2008/Winter 2009 Thank you for being part of the Y! - Winter 2008 It feels so good to give - Fall 2006/Winter 2007 2008/2009Annual Report
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Construction of the new Ches Penney Family Y is on a scheduled winter shut-down for January, February, and March 2010 to re-start in April 2010. Excellent progress was made in construction in 2009 and the new Y is on schedule at about 20% completion. Construction photos are on our website, as are the most up to date campaign materials, project updates, and drawings. The new Y will open in about spring 2011. |
Charitable Giving
Y Strong Families Campaign
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The Strong Families Campaign is focused on raising $3.5 million to help support the Y’s major capital project – the new Ches Penney Family Y. Now entering the corporate phase, this campaign will continue throughout construction with special events and celebrations set to start next fall leading up to the grand opening in 2011. Information about the campaign is available on our website – Ches Penney Family Y. For information on donations to the project contact Michelle Northover at mnorthover@ynortheastavalon.com, or 709-726-YMCA (9622). |
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Charitable Giving
YMCAs of Newfoundland and Labrador Strong Kids Campaign
The YMCAs of Newfoundland and Labrador are pleased to announce the launch of the Annual YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, which will run from February 15 – March 15, 2010. The month long campaign is aimed at raising public awareness and much needed financial support for the work that local YMCAs do in providing children and families with the values and life skills they need to succeed.
Each year, the YMCAs of Newfoundland and Labrador help hundreds of people by providing them with direct financial assistance. We believe that everyone, regardless of their ability to pay the fee, should be able to participate and benefit from Y programs. In 2008/2009 the YMCA-YWCA of Northeast Avalon provided more than $160,000 in financial assistance.
The YMCA Strong Kids Campaign encourages the public to invest in Y programs to help provide more opportunities for children from high-need communities, families facing financial barriers, and Canadian newcomers, to participate in and benefit from Y programs. For more information about the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign or to donate now visit www.ymcastrongkids.ca.
As a unique feature of the campaign, Y staff and volunteers will be posting and sharing stories on their own personal web pages about individuals who have been helped by the Y. If you are interested in posting a Y story and setting up a personal web page go to www.ymcastrongkids.ca or contact Michelle Northover at mnorthover@ynortheastavalon.com or 709-726-YMCA (9622).
Click here to search and read stories from the YMCA-YWCA of Northeast Avalon
St. John's Y, Mount Pearl Y, Child Care, Day Camp
New Computer System
We have been preparing behind the scenes to convert to a new point of sale and data base computer system for the past several months and look forward to implementing the system for program members at the St. John’s Y and Mount Pearl Y, child care participants at all 14 locations, and summer day camp participants at three locations.
In almost every situation we anticipate the transition to the new system will be smooth, however in any change of system there are always some unforeseen challenges.
As the new systems come on line, we will:
- Continue monthly payments as is
- Work as quickly and efficiently as possible to get programs members new cards printed for continued convenient access to our facilities
- Run the current system parallel for a period of time
- Communicate as clearly as possible if there are problems
As the Y grows, the new system will allow us to continue to manage our information effectively.
YMCA Peace Week 2009
Peace Medallion
The YMCA Peace Week breakfast was held November 27, 2009 at the Holiday Inn. At the event, the YMCA Peace Medallion was awarded to Stefanie Finn and Judy Brazil. Stefanie is a spiritual leader who inspires people through her workshops, book, and practice. Judy is the secretary at Stella Maris Academy and is the secretary at Trepassey Parish. Judy goes above and beyond her daily duties volunteering and helping others throughout the community.
Pictured in photo, from left: Janet King, Coordinator of Special Events & Communications; Peace Medallion recipient, Stefanie Finn; Peace Medallion recipient, Judy Brazil; Jason Brown, Y President & CEO
Y Story
Transforming lives: from Kurdistan to St. John's- a family's Y story
We are a Kurdish family from Kurdistan. When I first came to Canada, I was alone most of the time with no one to share my feelings with about the transition in my family’s life. In Kurdistan we had a lot of family, friends, and colleagues but in Canada everything was so different. I felt isolated with nothing to share in common with the Canadian people I met. However, when I got a Y membership everything changed for me and my family.
We were interested in joining the Y because there is so much we can enjoy there. My daughter, my son, and I get very excited when it’s Y time. My children are enjoying spending time in child minding. They love their buddies, their friends and their toys. Story time and drawing pictures are two of their favourite activities and they proudly hang their pictures on their bedroom walls.
The Y has been so beneficial to my life. Participating in all the different programs and activities enhances my life style. I genuinely enjoy being at Y – the bond among Y members and between the staff and the Y membership is strong. That bond and the encouragement we receive is what helps me and my family to continue our attendance. Since joining the Y I feel much stronger than I was. Not only am I losing weight I have also gained a much more positive attitude. My confidence has grown and I now feel that I am an independent, competent woman capable of facing any difficulties in my life.
Being far from family and my home country is rough and can be unbearable for some people. With the help of the Y those negative feelings of isolation, loneliness, and no sense of belonging disappear quickly and the positive experiences begin to transform your life. Through my Y experience I have come to realize that Canada, for me and my family, is the best place to live. We are giving back to our Y with new ideas and helping foster the positive environment around us. I have learned that the best we can give means we’ll get the very best back. Thank you to our Y family.
- Cazjin, Gmo, and Pary, Y members
Volunteers
Spotlight - Scott Giannou
In his professional life Scott is the President of The Beverage Baron and Vice President of Targa Newfoundland. Scott and his family lead a very active lifestyle and when he’s not busy with his work or racing cars Scott spends his time volunteering with the Y and many other charitable causes.
Scott’s commitment to his community is clearly evident in the countless hours he spends donating his time, talent, and treasure. He has been a Y member for more than 20 years and a volunteer for the past five. In addition to serving as 2nd vice chair on the Y Board of Directors, Scott is helping lead the Y Strong Families Campaign project as Co-chair of the Communications Committee and a member of the Campaign Cabinet.
Scott has spent the last seven years coaching with the Avalon Celtics Hockey Association, is Past President of the Canadian Progress Club St. John’s, is Chairman of the Gold Medal Plates St. John’s Canadian Olympic Athletes fundraising initiative, and is current Vice President of the Newfoundland Association of Beverage Alcohol Suppliers.
Helping those less fortunate, providing opportunities for children with disbilities, and giving back to his community is paramount to Scott. He is very excited about his involvement with the Y and is looking forward to the opportunities the new Ches Penney Family Y is going to bring to the community. You can count on seeing Scott around the new facility as much as, if not more, than he is at New Cove Road!
We are grateful for our Y volunteer leaders, like Scott, who help the Y build strong kids, strong families, and strong communities.
YMCA-YWCA of Northeast Avalon
Our Mission
The YMCA-YWCA is a charity that provides opportunities for all to grow in spirit, mind, and body.
Our Vision 2010
The YMCA-YWCA will be a leading charity providing access to all in employment, child care, and health programs.
YMCA-YWCA Core Values
Caring - Honesty - Respect - Responsibility - Health - Inclusiveness
Click here to read any of our previous Y newsletters!
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YMCA-YWCA of Northeast Avalon
P.O. Box 21291, St. John's, NL A1A 5G6 Ph. 709-754-2982 Fax 709-754-2870
www.ynortheastavalon.com> Charitable Registration # 108225533RR0001
If you have any questions or comments, or to remove your name from our mailing list, please e-mail us at info@ynortheastavalon.com