Media Newsroom

The YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo welcome media interest in our efforts to build a healthy community. This page is a good starting point for reporters, editors, and producers. Our Director of Communications is James Howe. Contact him to get connected with the best person or people for your story: jhowe@kwymca.org          519-584-7479 ext. 207

The YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo have been responding to the needs of our communities and helping children, families and individuals pursue good health in body, mind and spirit for more than 150 years. There are many interesting YMCA stories about how we build strong kids, strong families and a strong, healthy community. We can also put reporters in contact with staff and volunteers who are experts in a variety of fields. And we offer some wonderful photo opportunities.

Some examples of sources for stories and experts are:

News Releases:

• News Release:YMCA World Peace Week 2008 features ceremonies recognizing people making a difference locally or around the world (Nov. 14, 2008)
• News Release: Nominations open for YMCA Peace Medallions (Sept. 12, 2008)
• Joint News Release with City of Waterloo and Waterloo Public Library: Plans for a West Side YMCA and Library Facility Get Council Go Ahead (July 14, 2008)
• News Release: 620 more kids gain access to YMCA Recreation and Camp programs in Cambridge and Kitchener-Waterloo (June 30, 2008)
• Media Advisory: YMCA’s Group Job Search Program celebrates first
  graduating class of internationally-trained newcomers (June 12, 2008)
• Joint News Release: Partnership Launches Self Employment Program for New Canadians (May 12, 2008)
• News Release: Hundreds building strong kids this weekend (April 4, 2008)
• Joint News Release: Mentoring Partnership Waterloo Region launched with WRIEN (April. 2, 2008)
• News Release: Global Youth Forum aims to build a stronger global community (March 13, 2008)
• News Release: Taking the YMCA to the kids (February 29, 2008)
• News Release: YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo launch annual YMCA Strong Kids Campaigns (Feb. 15, 2008)
• News Release: Jingle Bell Run raises more than $9,000 to support YMCA Strong Kids Campaign (Nov. 26, 2007)
• News Release:YMCA of Cambridge Peacemakers Recognition Ceremony celebrates positive social change (Nov. 22, 2007)
• News Release:YMCA Peace Medallion Gala celebrates impact of community builders (Nov. 22, 2007)
• News Release: YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo promote the power of peace, the power of people during YMCA World Peace Week 2007 (Nov. 14, 2007)
• News Release: Zumba spices up your fitness routine - hot fitness trend arrives in Waterloo Region with party Nov. 15 (Nov. 5)
• News Release: Weston & Wonder gift helps build strong kids at A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA (Sept. 15)
• News Release: Open House at A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA Celebrates 25 Years (Sept. 11, 2007)
• News Release: YMCAs Formalize Collaboration Arrangement (June 27, 2007)

News Stories:

• Waterloo Region Record: Library YMCA plan gets go-ahead  (July 16, 2008)
• Waterloo Region Record: Councillors voice concerns over cost of YMCA project (July 15, 2008)
• Waterloo Region Record: Second look proposed for YMCA-library plan (June 27, 2008)
• Waterloo Region Record (Editorial): Give Y proposal a fair hearing (June 23, 2008)
• Waterloo Region Record: Residents fear loss of identity in YMCA partnership (June 20, 2008)
• Waterloo Region Record: Local program to help immigrants start own businesses (May 13, 2008)
• Waterloo Region Record: Extra funds will assist immigrants, but not those who now have citizenship (May 10, 2008)
• The Record: Virtual prgram brings 'Y' to kids (March 3, 2008)
• Cambridge Times article: Literacy: A family affair (Jan. 31, 2008)
• Record column: Area seniors get their kicks at YMCA (Jan. 23, 2008)
• Shirly Lichti column: Gym software reduces weighty marketing challenge (Jan. 16, 2008 - originally published in The Record)
• Record article: Zumba makes exercise a party (Dec. 20, 2007)
• Cambridge Times article: Citizenship Court (Nov 27, 2007)
• Record article: Y recognizes peacemakers (Nov. 26, 2007)
• Record article: Teens urged to make the world a better place (Nov. 21)
• Launch of Zumba in Waterloo Region featured on CTV Southwestern Ontario (Nov. 16) and Rogers Television (Nov. 16 and Nov. 19 )
• Link Newsmagazine:  October/November issue features article on YMCA Host Program
• Record article: Local program will help immigrants find work (Nov. 7)
• Record article: United Way reaches out to Canadian newcomers (Oct. 30, 2007)
• Record editorial:Young and fit (Sept. 24)
• Record article: An exercise in togetherness
• Record article: Flash from the Past: A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA Celebrates 25 Years

Key Documents:

• Annual Report to the Community - 2007
• Newsletters: YMCA Stories and e-newsletters

Specific Current Story Ideas:

• Helping newcomers to Canada find work - mentorship program and group job search program
• Environmental education / sustainable living at the YMCA Outdoor Centre
• Virtual YMCA