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Stronger,Together June 2022
YMCA of Greater Saint John
www.saintjohny.ca
Note from Shilo Boucher The Strong Communities Campaign has touched the lives of so many people in our community. What makes the Strong Communities Campaign so successful is the support from our community members. I am pleased to announce that Brice and Cathy Belyea are this year's Strong Communities Campaign Honorary CoChairs. Brice & Cathy Belyea The Y has been a part of Brice and Cathy's life since childhood. Brice learned to swim at the Y and Cathy spent many summers tenting on the beach at Camp Glenburn! Their Y Story continued with Brice becoming President of the Y's Board of Directors, and a founding member of our Endowment Board. We have an ambitious goal again this year in order to support those in our community who need it the most. We hope that we can count on your support again this year to deliver impact and enrich lives. Your Y could not have accomplished what we have without your continued support throughout the years. We look forward to seeing what the next 6 months bring.
2022 Red Triangle Awards Gala $90,000 Raised for Strong Communities We celebrated our 32nd Annual Red Triangle Award Gala live at the Irving Oil Field House in May, our first time in person since 2019!
Red Triangle Recipient - Juanita Black
The Red Triangle Award Gala, presented by Emera New Brunswick, celebrated Juanita Black as the 2022 Red Triangle Award Recipient and Nicole Vair as our 2022 Leader to Watch. These awards recognize the impact they have made and are continuing to make in the community. Special thank you goes out to all our sponsors and volunteers for helping us run such a fantastic event! We raised $90,000 for Strong Communities. We couldn't do it without your support.
Leader to Watch Recipient - Nicole Vair
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Y Story: Dan Robichaud Last October, Heather, our Child Care Supervisor at our east-side program, made us aware of a family at her centre who was struggling to make payments. This single parent was out of work due to an illness and needed some financial help. Heather let the parent know we could help support them with our Strong Communities Campaign. The Strong Communities Campaign raises funds each year to help those who face financial barriers get access to Y programs and services such as Child Care, Camping, Youth Programming, Older Adult Programming and Memberships. The more conversations we had with the parent, the more they opened up. We learned they were out of work due to a critical illness, with a long road to recovery. This parent was on the verge of losing their home and vehicle. They did not want to ask for help, but eventually came to us for assistance. We were able to take care of most of the bill, making small payments until the end of 2021. In early January, we realized he was still having a hard time. With the support of our Strong Communities Fund, we were able to lift the burden of After School fees for his children. This is Dan - the parent who was assisted through the Strong Communities Campaign. After receiving help, he reached out to us with the following letter: “This has me in tears. I’m not someone who seeks out help. This has changed the course of my financial situation and will keep some normalcy in my children's lives. I will keep you updated on my situation as it progresses. “I cannot thank you enough. When I come around to the other side and get back on my feet, I will pay it forward some how.” Just recently, Dan finally had the surgery he has been waiting for. Everything went well and he is home recovering. He says he could not appreciate the Y more, for all we have done to help his family. At the Y no one is turned away. Every day, we support families like Dan’s, and it’s stories like these, that reinforces why the Strong Communities Campaign exists and why we all work so hard to raise funds to help enrich the lives of those in our community that need it the most.
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Strong Communities 2022
At the YMCA, we are a community of caring people helping to enrich lives. When it comes to the Strong Communities Campaign, our donors, staff, volunteers, supporters, and partners have always stepped up to raise funds and help us reach our goal to deliver impactful programs to the community. As the need continues to grow this year, our fundraising goal for the Strong Communities Campaign is $525,000. By giving to the Strong Communities , ALL OF US are building healthy communities through the power of belonging. We hope you will join us in supporting a healthier and stronger Greater Saint John.
When you support Strong Communities you impact the lives of 2,500+ community members.
Scan to Donate
Make a gift today! $100
Provides a child the opportunity to learn water safety and the valuable life skill of swimming.
$250
Provides youth with opportunities to programs that will help shape their future, like Y Lead.
$500
Provides parents a piece of mind because your donation reduced the cost of child care and better prepares their child for school.
or visit www.saintjohny.ca/donate
$1,000 $5,000
$10,000
Provides 5 children with the opportunity to attend a week of Y Summer Day Camp at no cost to their family. Provides 8 children with the opportunity to attend overnight camp where they will make memories to last a lifetime. Provides a momentum gift providing funding for Y programs that are enriching the lives of community members.
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Volunteering at the YMCA Patrons $5,000+
Alfred Brien Brian & Anne Wheelock Atlantic Metal Recycling Brenton Kean Lawyers Advocates CAA Maritimes Canadian Cable Systems Alliance Inc. Chics for a Cause Coleen & Stephen Carson Dean Mullin Donald & Patricia Mitchener Economic Development Greater SJ Ernst & Young LLP Fish & Brew Pub Fred & Joyce Godwin Fundy Community Foundation Fundy Engineering & Consulting Ltd. Helen M. Cook IG Wealth Management InColor Inc. Jacob's Industrial Services John & Susan Eisner Kent Building Supplies Labatt Loblaws Mary Jane & David Waugh Michael & Anne Bruce Mitchell McConnell Insurance Inc. Mohommad Monowar Hossain NB Power OSCO Group Services Limited Pearl Hazen Peter Armstrong Encore Global Running Room Canada Inc. Service Master Shilo Boucher T.R. Meighen Family Foundation Target The Christina and Hedley G. Ivany Charitable Foundation The Folder Factory The Hardman Group Ltd. The Home Depot Canada Foundation Trans Canada UNBSJ - Faculty of Business Vision Coaching Inc. William Covert
Meet Sarah
Sarah began volunteering for the YMCA in August 2017 after taking the Group Power instructor training. After a year of attending Group Power, our Wellness Coordinator Sherry approached Sarah about taking the class and the rest is history! Sarah says she loved the way it felt when she came into fitness classes because she was new to the gym. "The instructors and fellow participants were always so welcoming and friendly." Sarah said, “I jumped at the chance to further my knowledge and hopefully be ‘that person’ for someone else beginning their fitness journey. I have learned so much since taking that training and becoming a volunteer, including learning things about my own form that I don’t think I would have ever learned otherwise. The relationships I was able to build with fellow instructors and Y staff made a lasting impact on who I am today and I owe that all to volunteering. I think it’s important to add that I have enjoyed my volunteer experience so much because of the people here. Without our members it just wouldn’t be the same, and I am forever grateful that they are ever willing to spend an hour a week with me!” Sarah goes on to say - "For anyone looking to volunteer - It’s an incredibly rewarding experience to make even a small difference in one person’s day, even just one time. No words can actually do that feeling justice, but it’s something I hope everyone gets to feel at least once. And no matter where you volunteer at the YMCA you will be that person for someone, I promise you that."
For more information, contact our team: volunteer@saintjohny.ca
Become a Difference Maker With your donation, we can help children, adults, and older adults reach their full potential and build healthy communities. Scan the QR code or visit our website - saintjohny.ca to become a Y Difference Maker.
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My Y, My Community Benefactors $10,000+ Acadia Broadcasting Alyson Townsend Bell Belyea Colwell Daley Chartered Professional Accountants Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiative Inc Canadian Council For Refugees Canaport LNG LP CIBC Children's Foundation City of Saint John Crabtree Foundation Dale Knox Dealermine Inc. Deloitte Emera New Brunswick Employment and Social Development Canada FCC Engineering Grant Thornton Poirier LLP Greater Saint John Community Foundation IG Wealth Management ING Foundation J.D. Irving Limited Kiwanis Charities of Saint John MacMurray Foundation Inc. Medavie Health Foundation Murdock & Boyd NB Building and Construction Trades New Brunswick Children's Foundation Ocean Capital Investments Paul Huestis Port Saint John Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc Ready John Environmental Services Richard J. Currie Rod Stears Freelance Photography Rogers Business Solutions Royal Bank of Canada Saint John Energy Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation Saint John Y Service Club Sancton Group Inc
Y IGNITE The YMCA of Greater Saint John and the Department of Post-Secondary Education Training and Labour have partnered to help develop the talent pipeline and support the leaders of tomorrow in Southern New Brunswick through a youth employability program – Y IGNITE. The Y IGNITE registrations have now started for youth ages 15-30. For more information on Y IGNITE visit our www.saintjohny/community.ca.
Leave a Legacy Brian and Susan Moore began their Y story over 30 years ago when they became members of the YMCA on Hazen street. Susan said once they joined they began to see the Y was so much more than just fitness. They realized the involvement the Y had in the community and wanted to become more involved themselves. Over the years both Susan and Brian served on a number of committees with the Y. Susan is especially fond of the memories and the relationships she formed while involved with the women of the then YWCA. “The Y is just such a special place where everyone is accepted and treated as equals, that is something unique, something really special. We thoroughly believe in the YMCA, all it’s programs, and everything it does for the community. We knew we wanted all of it to continue, and that is why we chose to donate to the YMCA Endowment Fund.”
The Heritage Club Your gift carries the power to transform individual lives and the community for generations. The YMCA of Greater Saint John Endowment Fund was created to grow and invest funds, which will provide for future generations. The fund is a critical part of planning so that the Y remains strong, viable, and responsive in the future. Individuals and families who have made a major or estate gift(s) to the Y's Endowment Fund are recognized as Heritage Club Members. Interested in learning more? Visit our website www.saintjohny.ca
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Y News Benefactors $10,000+
2022 Funding
Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception TD Bank Group Telegraph Journal TELUS Corporation The Saint John Jeux Canada Games Foundation Inc. The Windsor Foundation UNB-Saint John - Office of the Vice President United Way Of Greater Saint John Victor Leaman
Walmart - $25,000 Funding will support the Newcomer Department with the purchasing of items for Busy Bags being put together and given to new arrivals. Canadian Tire Jumpstart - $8,420 Funding from this grant will support the Y Summer Sports Camp at the Irving Oil Field House this summer. It will provide equipment for the program as well as sponsor 20 kids to attend.
Founders $100,000+ Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities Irving Oil Limited Maritime Complex Inc. Saint John Exhibition Association Foundation Tabufile Atlantic Inc.
Fundy Community Foundation - $3,400 Funding will support Y programming in Eastern Charlotte County. New Brunswick Children's Foundation - $11,000 Funding will support the continuation of the Rainbow's Program. A peer to peer mental health support program for kids ages 5-12. Greater Saint John Community Foundation - $31,000 Funds will be allocated to the Ukrainian Welcome Fund which will aid in the support of Ukrainians arriving in Greater Saint John.
Irving Oil - Funshine $57,000 Funding will be allocated to Funshine sending 100 kids in our community to overnight camp at Camp Glenburn this summer.
YMCA in Eastern Charlotte County
The YMCA of Greater Saint John is launching recreation programming for Eastern Charlotte residents in Blacks Harbour through a collaboration with the Village of Blacks Harbour. This partnership will see the Patrick Connors Recreation Complex utilized all year round for all ages. Our programming will be designed to cater to the physical, mental, and social health of individuals of all ages, specifically in the Blacks Harbour region. For more information visit - www.saintjohny.ca/community
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Strong Communities Campaign Honorary Co-Chairs “ We want to ensure we are doing whatever we can so the Y’s work continues in the years ahead.” The YMCA has been a part of Brice and Cathy Belyea’s life since childhood. What started as a place where he learned to swim and she attended camp has turned into their second home. Brice recalls his first experience with the Y attending swim lessons from the age of 6. Brice and Cathy Belyea Having lost his mom at the age of 13, the Y became a safe place for Brice and his friends, and he knows that had there been a Rainbows program at the time, he would have been there. “The relationships with the Y really grew strong through those years. All through High School, went to the Y just about every day.” Cathy’s own Y journey started at the YWCA and Camp Glenburn, spending eight summers tenting on the beach for 17 days, and completing her Bronze swim certifications. It was during their High School years that Brice met Cathy, and they recall attending the dances at the Teen Centre on Friday nights. They married shortly after High School and later moved away before returning to Saint John. When asked what stands out about the Y growing up, Brice credits a group of the men including him in sports, which was not typically done as youth and adult areas were separated at that time. To this day Brice still has strong relationships with people from the group, whom Brice has seen do many things over the years to help support the Y, and have influenced the Belyea family to continue to be involved at the Y decades later. “I think the major thing that prompts us to want to be involved and stay involved is the fact that the Y is so much more than a building,” Brice explained. Brice began serving on many Boards with the Y, and in 2007, along with four others, Brice was a Red Triangle Recipient. Their family’s involvement with the Y didn’t stop there. From their daughter helping to introduce the Stay Strong program, to him serving as the Co-chair of the first Early Learning Centre, now known as the Early Childhood Hub, Brice played a key role in getting the Y involved in critical programs. When asked about their vision for this year’s Strong Communities Campaign, Brice and Cathy both agreed that addressing the Achievement Gap in priorities neighbourhoods is key, and believe that the Y is in just the right place to help provide wrap-around support for local families. “Within the last 10 or 15 years, the Y has really increased its presence in the community. It plays a really important role in things like early childhood education, physical and mental wellness and settlement services. We want to ensure we are doing whatever we can so the Y’s work continues in the years ahead.”
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Highlights Y Difference Maker
YMCA Fishing Derby Presented by Godwin & Associates - IG Private Wealth Management
Allan & Tracey Hogg Andy Britton Anne & Brian Wheelock Becky & Edward Betts Blair MacDonald Chris Hughes Cindy Losier Dale Knox Daniel Doiron David Burpee David & Peggy Case Donna Briggs Geoff Mitchell Janet Scott Joanne Ring John & Crystal March Julie Fitzpatrick Karen Adams Karen Farthing Kelley Greer White Kristen Shaw Linda Blenis Linda & Philip Webb Marion Williams Marlene Dutton Sachiko Riegger Sam Wang Steve Mason Wendy and Hans Klohn
Our first ever Fishing Derby at the Glenn Carpenter Centre was a huge success. Families enjoyed fishing, water activities, trail walks and a picnic lunch. The event raised over $7,000 for Strong Communities. Special thanks to Godwin & Associates - IG Private Wealth Management for being our presenting sponsor.
YMCA Celebrates Pride Month Our Youth Volunteers have refreshed the main entrance of the Saint John Regional Y with a Rainbow Crosswalk to reinforce our commitment to improving diversity and inclusion for members, clients, staff, and volunteers of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
YMCA Newcomer Connections OSCO Hiring Fair The YMCA Newcomer Connections OSCO Hiring Fair was hosted on site at the YMCA of Greater Saint John in partnership with Working NB and CCRW on July 7th! Representatives from several departments at OSCO engaged with YMCA clients about job opportunities.
YMCA of Greater Saint John 191 Churchill Blvd, Saint John, NB E2K 3E2 www.saintjohny.ca