Member Agency Spotlight
YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford
“Look at my tummy. It’s going down” proudly announces 10 year old Bailey* to his favourite YMCA staff member. Not too long ago Bailey was the heavy kid. After only 15 minutes into a soccer game he had to sit on the sidelines and try to catch his breath. Now a YMCA “Youth Action” participant, Bailey has lost weight and built stamina. Together with his mom, dad and sister, they are on their way to ensuring healthier lifestyles for themselves as they work out together and have fun at the same time.
Established in 1856, the YMCA has a long history in Brantford. Today, the association continues to serve Brantford residents with a wide range of services such as YMCA Pre-school, School Age Child Care and Day Camp programs, an Immigrant and Settlement Services office, a Career and Learning Centre, and the Brantford Family YMCA health and fitness facility.
Bailey’s experience at the YMCA is typical of the child and youth members’ experiences supported by the Brant United Way. Led by caring and professional staff, children and youth are offered a broad variety of healthy and fun activities under caring supervision at both the YMCA Day Camps and the Brantford Family YMCA facility.
The YMCA also reaches many individual children who come to participate in recreational programs, or to enjoy breakfast and/or the afternoon snack provided in cooperation with Brant Food For Thought (a Brant United Way Member Agency). Children who participate in the daily “Y Kids” programs are empowered with choices. They can engage in active free play in the Play Centre – a safe, supervised space with 2 play structures, a climbing wall, two Wii units and a toddler toy area. Alternately, members can choose to join in on one of the three pre-school activities in the morning or one of the three child and youth programs in the afternoon. Preschoolers can enjoy a range of activities like crafts, stories, basic cooking and learning simple sports skills. Older children and youth can participate in a homework club; polish their sports skills with floor hockey, soccer and basketball; enjoy crafts; and even participate in a work-out on youth sized equipment.
The YMCA Day Camp program, also supported by Brant United Way, has two summer locations in Brantford as well as busing to Camp Chippewa at Christie Lake Conservation Area. Camps provide summer adventure for children aged 4-14 and leadership training for older youth. YMCA camps are open to children of all abilities. While some parents may simply be seeking child care, their children are swimming, canoeing, making crafts, learning sports skills, meeting role models, making friends, and having fun!
Many experienced YMCA parents appreciate the involvement of the staff and the quality of programs offered at the YMCA. All Child and Youth programs draw from the 40 Developmental Assets identified by the Search Institute, providing participants with the building blocks they need to grow up healthy, positive, confident, and competent. Staff frequently hears comments like, “it’s the only place where we can be active together as a family,” and “kids DO things here, they walk away each day with something more.”
Bailey is one of the children “DO-ing” something. Through “Youth Action” at the Brantford Family YMCA, he is working hard to learn and prove his understanding of safety in the workout area. This will earn Bailey the privilege of moving out of the children’s work-out circuit to the main Fitness Centre where he can exercise with his parents and other adults. In a few weeks he will reach his immediate goal. At the same time, Bailey is part of the YMCA mission of helping people achieve personal growth in spirit, mind, and body through participation and service to the community. While Bailey’s “tummy” is “going down” his chances for a healthy adult life in a strong committed community are going up!
*Name changed to protect privacy
For more information about joining or volunteering at the YMCA, please call:
519-752-6568 or email: brantford_membership@ymca.ca
The Brant United Way is proud to have YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford as one of its Member Agencies. The programs they provide make for a stronger and more caring community.