Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people. With about 500 locations in the Greater Toronto Area, we provide a third space where people can gather, connect and build community through a breadth of programs and services like health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, and shelters.

What problem does it aim to solve?

We’re focused on creating vibrant communities where everyone can shine. It could be a parent looking to access affordable, high-quality child care so they can re-enter the workforce. A young person experiencing homelessness looking for a safe place to sleep and wraparound support. Or even a child wanting to experience summer camp for the first time. The Y is a place that helps people a chance to reach their potential.

When did you start or join it?

I’ve been at the YMCA of Greater Toronto my whole career. I started working at Central Y in downtown Toronto in a front-line programming role and over the years worked as General Manager of the centre, Vice President of Health and Fitness, Chief Operations Officer, and now, the first woman President CEO of the largest YMCA in the world. It’s been an incredible two years in that role: opening the McDonald Family YMCA in the Waterworks building and announcing a new YMCA Supportive Housing Initiative for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, both in downtown Toronto. The Y is constantly finding new ways to serve the community and it’s a joy to be part of that.

What made you want to get involved?

The first time I stepped in a Y, I knew something special was happening around me. The atmosphere was electric, and I wanted to be part of it. In the span of minutes, key moments are happening around you. Parents are picking up their children from child care, friends are coming together on the basketball (and now pickleball) court, and volunteers are welcoming newcomers and seniors. That’s what I love about the Y. We see people from different backgrounds and ages connecting every single day. It’s an incredibly welcoming community that gets me excited to come to work every morning.

What was the situation like when you started?

When I first started, I met a volunteer at the Y who was a popular fitness instructor. Unfortunately, he contracted AIDS. The fear and stigma around AIDS and homophobia in communities at the time left many people with the disease feeling isolated. So, he had an idea: create a support network and exercise program for people who tested positive for HIV/AIDS. We called it the Positive Living Program. It was a huge success and ran into the 2000s, helping connect hundreds of people in a positive way. It’s an example of how the Y, together with community members, finds ways to support the community with what it needs in the moment. Fortunately, that approach continues at the Y today.

How has it changed since?

The challenges may be different, but it all comes back to one thing: Community. Our charity has been on the ground for over 170 years and has witnessed the challenges our community face. When the unexpected happens, we’ve acted fast and introduced new programs, like Emergency Child Care during the pandemic, to help people when they need it. Today, those challenges include housing, unemployment, isolation, declining mental and physical health, and a deep need for belonging. Some of the more recent programs we’ve introduced to help conquer these challenges are launching the Black Achievers Mentorship Program and its recent expansion, designed to provide social and academic opportunities for Black youth, and the YMCA Supportive Housing Initiative, a program dedicated to creating affordable rental housing for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. We continue to listen to the most pressing needs within our community, and respond. And all of it made possible thanks to the collective contributions of volunteers, donors, community members, funders, like-minded organizations, and employees.

What more needs to be done?

The Y’s programs, partnerships, and people are critical in addressing some of the challenges our communities face every day and creating opportunities for growth. We’re focusing our efforts on growing core program participation and excellence, teaming up with like-minded organizations to make a bigger impact together, and strengthening our charity so we can be ready for whatever comes next. This means centring our efforts on our participants and members, especially at a time when the community and its needs continue to grow.

How can our readers help?

Too many people are facing economic pressures that can become barriers to accessing community programs and services. Become a monthly donor and make an impact on your community. Even a small gift can make all the difference by helping us provide financial assistance for those who would otherwise not be able to participate in our programs. Visit ymcagta.org/Donate to get started.

Do you have any events coming up?

We hosted our 2nd annual Shine On YMCA Charity 5k in September to send 600 children – who would not otherwise be able to for financial reasons – to camp next summer. The event was open to people of all ages and fitness levels, including runners and walkers. It’s a great opportunity to help raise funds to support YMCA Camps and help make camp a reality for hundreds of children across the GTA. This year’s event was a special moment for me. Seeing everyone come together to help others, while having fun, is the definition of what it means to be part of a community like the Y. Whether you’re walking or running, follow along to learn more about next year’s event.

Where can people follow you?

I regularly share updates on LinkedIn. To see the latest on all of our programs and services, visit our socials below:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube

If you’re interested in learning more about the YMCA of Greater Toronto and our programs and services, visit ymcagta.org.

PAY IT FORWARD: What’s an awesome local charity you love?

We partnered with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra during the lockdown days of the pandemic to help improve people’s well-being. We recorded a poolside performance from the Central YMCA that was shared with people at home, and hosted an outdoor rooftop performance. Today, we continue to connect with them through programs such as the YMCA Black Achievers Mentorship Program. The TSO welcomes mentors and mentees of the program to performances and to be inspired by the music. Both our organizations recognize the value of inclusive spaces and the importance of connecting in real life.

The post Charitable Choices: Lesley Davidson of the YMCA of Greater Toronto appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Describe your charity/non-profit in a few sentences.

For more than 165 years, the YMCA of Greater Toronto has provided leadership and worked with partners in solving complex social problems to create real, measurable outcomes that have strengthened the social health and fabric of our communities. As a charity, the Y helps people shine through a variety of programs, including employment and immigrant services, family and youth services, housing, health and fitness programs, child care and camps.

What problem does it aim to solve?

The YMCA of Greater Toronto has always been dedicated to providing people within our communities with the tools they need to achieve greater well-being.

Due to physical distancing requirements during COVID-19, the Y recognized that older community members are facing challenges, including connecting with friends and loved ones and maintaining routines, like walking, that are important for physical and mental health. Increasing support for seniors was previously identified as part of the Y’s new strategic plan and after learning about some of the challenges that older adults are facing, The Bright Spot came together quickly to provide an online community where older adults can shine. This site offers everything from exercise classes and small online group discussions to trivia nights and mindfulness tutorials – all free of charge.

When did you start/join it?

Over 40 years ago, as a young immigrant from Egypt, I was welcomed into the Y as a part-time tennis instructor at the downtown Central YMCA. Since then, I became committed to working at the Y and ensuring that every young person in our community has the same opportunities that I did, thanks to the experiences I was given through our 165 year-old charity.

What made you want to get involved?

Having been involved with the Y for so many years and joining as a young person myself, I’ve been able to experience firsthand the power of helping young people reach their full potential and live their dreams. In leading the Y, it’s our goal to bring more of the Y’s programs and services to more people in our communities. I’ve been able to lead initiatives providing access to sports, child care, community events, fitness programs for all ages and life stages, housing programs for young people, employment counselling, leadership development opportunities, summer day camps and more to our community. During this pandemic, we’ve been able to continue offering these programs to people, both young and old, by pushing our boundaries and moving away from physical support, to virtual support. The Bright Spot is an incredibly innovative initiative that we are so proud to be able to offer our older adult community, in a time when they need support the most.

It’s rewarding to see the effect that these services can have on people and families and the assurance they feel knowing that the Y is here for them.

What was the situation like when you started?

When I became CEO I was concerned with the situation in the GTA: high youth unemployment, the growing number of youth in the NEET category (not in education employment or training), the need for greater access to quality child care, the number of people living in low income households and the children growing up in those households just to name a few of the gaps in the social determinants of health. I felt that the YMCA could step up more to address many of these issues. Having lived in many cities around the world I feel that Toronto is one of the best places but this is not true for the majority of people. We are driven by a desire to make the GTA the best place for everyone. This aspiration meant that I needed to organize our charity so we could bring more YMCAs to more people in more communities. It also meant that we had to add capabilities such as research to help us measure our impact. I was also concerned that many donors did not see us as their charity of choice despite our great work so we added fundraising capacity to help fuel our vision.

How has it changed since?

I’ve seen incredible growth of the organization over the years, with no indication of slowing down any time soon. We have more than 450 locations across the GTA, and our programs are delivered by more than 6000 staff and 5500 volunteers. The Y continues to push boundaries to be able to offer more programs and services to surrounding communities, while ensuring these offerings are accessible. It’s been a priority for our teams to be there for newcomers and street-involved youth, and to be able to offer affordable, accessible and high-quality childcare to working families.

What more needs to be done?

The Y will continue to work alongside partners to ensure that as things change and evolve, especially as we move away from the COVID-19 climate, these services are still available to our communities and we continue to explore new services and offerings, so that we’re meeting the needs of the community – and beyond.

How can our readers help?

Recently, the Y set up a COVID-19 response fund to support our efforts, visit here to learn more or make a donation – everything helps.

Do you have any events coming up?

In light of COVID-19, many programs and activities have shifted online and each day, live classes are available on Facebook Live ranging from health and fitness classes, to camp-based activities like fun & games and children’s programs like story time. Further, The Bright Spot also has live classes and programs available each day for older adults, including health and fitness programming as well as activities like Bingo, that are available on our Youtube channel or via Zoom links that can be found on the site itself.

Where can we follow you?

Please visit our website for more information or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook @YMCAGTA, or visit our YouTube page, YMCA of Greater Toronto.

PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?

My awesome charities are the YMCA and CAMH. I would also highlight LUSO – a charitable foundation that provides day programming and respite services. As a parent of a child who lives with a severe disability, this organization has been a godsend.

The post YMCA of Greater Toronto Launches Online Community ‘The Bright Spot’ appeared first on Toronto Guardian.