What's New at the YMCA

Go here for News Releases and News Stories

Group Job Search Program celebrates first graduating class of internationally-trained newcomers
On June 13, seven internationally-trained professionals looking for work in their field who have completed four weeks of full-time job search preparation graduated from a Group Job Search Program. This group represents an enhancement in how the YMCA assists newcomers to Canada to start their lives in Canada. The YMCA Newcomer Employment Centre (NEC) began offering career counseling and a group job search program for newcomers in March 2008. These services were once part of the New Canadian Program formerly offered by the Waterloo Region District School Board. Their occupations are Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Programming, Electronic and Communications Engineering, Graphic Designing, Software Engineering, Programmer Analyst/Web Developing and IT Assistant.  

Government funding announcements for YMCA Cross Cultural & Immigrant Services
On May 9, the federal government announced $8.4 million dollars to help newcomers to Canada in Kitchener-Waterloo succeed. More than half of it--$4.3 million--went to YMCA Cross Cultural & Immigrant Services. These funds help three programs to maintain and expand their support of immigrants. The programs receiving funding were Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program (ISAP), the Language Assessment Centre and Settlement and Educational Partnerships in Waterloo Region (SEPWR). Read the Waterloo Region Record’s May 10 article.

On May 12, the provincial government announced support Business Quest a joint Lutherwood and YMCA program that assists newcomers interested in pursuing self employment. Read the Waterloo Region Record’s May 13 article.

Relationship between the YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo

A new page has been created to keep members, participants and the community up to date regarding the new relationship between the YMCA of Cambridge and the Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA. New information is also now posted on the Board of Directors page such as Board Motions and the Association By-Laws.

Read the Winter edition of YMCA Stories
Featured in this issue, the YMCA Host Program's Mentorship Launch, Peggy Liehs story, training day camp staff to build strong kids, John Acheson's story and Better Together with the YMCA of Cambridge.  

United Way reaches out to Canadian newcomers
An article in The Record about the United Way’s support for immigrants features the work of the YMCA of Cambridge’s Immigrant Services and one of its clients. It also talks about the work done by the YMCA Cross Cultural & Community Services in Kitchener-Waterloo. Please support your local United Way generously. 

Building A Healthy Community by Living Our Mission Vision & Values: Annual report to the community 2006

The Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA is contributing to building a healthy community. It is doing so by living its mission, vision and values. The 2006 Annual Report looks at how we do so by looking at specific stories that illustrate our work. The information included gives a good overview of the breadth and depth of the KW YMCA and its impact upon our community. It also offers a glimpse into the future. The annual report of the KW YMCA Endowment Foundation is also included.

Family YMCA in Waterloo

The initial design concepts for the proposed West Side District Library and Family YMCA were unveiled May 2007 at an open house at Waterloo City Hall. See them for yourself.

The proposed facility is getting close to becoming a reality. Finalizing the legal agreement with the City of Waterloo is the next big milestone. Learn more about this proposed project by following this link.

Y Stories

• This Y Story is told by Fauzia Anis who has been involved with several different YMCA programs as a volunteer and staff member. In telling her story, she indicates how she has experienced the YMCA core values of Acceptance, Balance, Caring, Giving, and Responsibility. Follow this link to read her story.

We always like to hear and share stories about how the YMCA has made an impact upon somebody’s life. If you are healthier in spirit, mind or body as a result of your involvement with YMCA programs or services, please let us know. Submit your YMCA story to us so that we can share it in future issues of our e-newsletter and other publications.