Building A Healthy Community… Opening the Doors to Good Health

Waterloo Y Gets Green Light(Waterloo, Ontario) – On October 5, 2009 the KW YMCA Board of Directors and Waterloo City Council unanimously approved the final steps that will see the west side joint Family YMCA and district branch library move from concept to reality. With this approval in place, development of the new $22.3 million facility will commence in October 2009 with an estimated completion date of March 2011. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held in November. “We promised to create a place that touches people’s lives by giving them a supportive environment where they can grow in spirit, mind and body. I am proud that the Stork Family YMCA will soon fulfill our promise,” said KW YMCA President Mike Stork.

The Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA will be contributing approximately $8.2 million to the project through the Building a Healthy Community Campaign which has raised $5 million to date. Notes YMCA CEO John Haddock: “Our key strategic objective is to do more to touch every family in the Region. We are grateful to our donors for helping us get where we are today and look forward to engaging the broader community in the work ahead.”

A Slice of Paradise Donated To The KW YMCAThe Kiwanis Club of Kitchener-Waterloo donated 77 acres of land at Paradise Lake to the KW YMCA in June of this year. With an estimated value of well over $600,000, this gift is one of the largest ever made by a community service organization in the Region’s history. “When we opened this site as a camp in 1924, our goal was for as many local kids as possible to experience the benefits of camping. For generations of local youth, going to camp meant going to our property on Paradise Lake,” said Malcolm Shantz, President of the Kiwanis Club. “The Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA has been a good steward of the land and we have decided that the best way to build upon the site’s tradition is to give theYMCA ownership of the property.”

Year-round programming for school groups was introduced at the Paradise Lake site with the opening of the YMCA Environmental Learning Centre (now know as the Outdoor Centre) in 1995. The Centre recently received $293,000 in government funding through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program RInC). To date, a total of $332,075 has been contributed to the Outdoor Centre. Site enhancements will include the construction of straw bale cabins and a straw bale program pod, as well as replacement of solarium windows to improve the Centre’s energy efficiency.

Campaign Update #2

Kiwanis members at Paradise Lake Aug. 25, 2009

The Virtual YMCAUsing the Developmental Assets and Determinants of Health frameworks, the Virtual YMCA is providing children with the tools they need to succeed in school. A third Virtual YMCA is being planned for an underserved neighbourhood in Waterloo by 2011. Initial results from the St. John’s Virtual Y in Kitchener signal the remarkable impact that the program is having. Data shows that children are more motivated to learn and are spending more time reading, writing and completing homework. They are also increasing their participation in recreational activities and becoming more aware of positive lifestyle choices. The Campaign is striving to raise a total of $350,000 towards this program, and to date, $230,000 has been secured.

Newcomer Youth ProgramThe Newcomer Youth Program is designed to break down cultural barriers, bridge the gap to community resources and build social competencies. Since the Program was started in October 2007, newcomer youth report increased knowledge of YMCA programs and available community services and supports. Newcomer youth are becoming involved in other YMCA programs and are choosing to stay involved as peer volunteers. Youth find the program fun and say they “like giving back to their community” and want to help others. The Building a Healthy Community Campaign is striving to raise $250,000 to expand this program with the goal of reaching out to younger siblings. To date, the Campaign has raised $150,000 towards this initiative.

The Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA is one of the oldest registered charities in Waterloo Region, supporting the personal growth of people in spirit, mind and body. Through health, fitness and recreation programs, immigrant services, youth programming, early childhood education, and much more, the YMCA strengthens our community. To find out how you can support the Building a Healthy Community Campaign, please contact:

Kathy Wilson, Vice President Financial DevelopmentKitchener-Waterloo YMCA460 Frederick Street, Suite 203Kitchener, ON N2H 2P5519-584-7479 ext. 216 kwilson@ckwymca.ca

Health Determinants

The broad definition of health is more than just the absence of disease; it means living to your full potential and is determined largely by social, economic and environmental factors.

Public Health Agency of Canada determinants of health that align with YMCA programs:• Income and social status

• Social support networks

• Education and literacy

• Social environments

• Personal health practices and coping skills

• Healthy child development

• Health services

• Culture

The YMCA promotes the overall health of an individual and the determinants of health listed above closely connect with the programs offered by the YMCA and the impact of these programs. The YMCA is much more than a fitness club! We are a partner in building healthy kids, healthy families and a healthy community.

kwymca.org

The Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA’s Charitable Registration # BN 10757 2687 RR0001

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