Rotary Club of St. John’s East Helps Make The Y Open To Everyone

Rotary Club of St. John’s East President Brian Martin and Foundation
Chair Shannie Duff present YMCA-YWCA of Northeast Avalon CEO Jason Brown
with a $2500.00 cheque towards the Y Assistance Program.

In January 2007 Rotary Club of St. John’s East President Brian Martin and Foundation
Chair Shannie Duff present YMCA-YWCA of Northeast Avalon CEO Jason Brown and
Board Chair Craig Rowe with a $2000.00 cheque towards the Y Assistance Program.

The Y Is Open To Everyone

No one is turned away from the YMCA-YWCA for inability to pay program fees.  In employment and enterprise services, children’s services, and health fitness and recreation membership the Y is open to everyone.  Every year the value of the assistance the Y provides to individuals and families increases.  People participate in programs that transform people’s lives – from unemployed to employed, from unsupported to supported, from unhealthy to healthy.  The Y works with over 14,000 people a year in the Northeast Avalon, many thousands of whom pay no fee to be involved or receive financial assistance.  This number is growing every year.

The Rotary Club of St. John’s East gift will help individuals and families join the Y and will help sponsor 180 children at the Y Day Camp at Fox Trap.

YMCA-YWCA CEO Jason Brown says “in a province where adult and childhood obesity rates are the highest in the country and leisure time physical activity rates are the lowest, access to healthy active programs for those who cannot afford it is essential.  This gift will help us involve more individuals and families in our health programs and also help us sponsor children to day camp, children who will learn about the natural world by canoeing, swimming, hiking, and cooking over a fire.”  At present, more than 10% of Y members are assisted and more than 25% of day campers receive financial assistance.

As a community based charity serving the communities of Northeast Avalon since 1854, the YMCA-YWCA relies on the support of groups and individuals.  The Y thanks the Rotary Club of St. John’s East for this very generous gift.