Because many of my friends and family have been asking me about my experiences with work since I started at the YMCA as an Outreach Coordinator, I decided I would share with you what I've learned and felt so far.
People are often surprised to find out that the local YMCA is not just the fitness facility on Massey Drive. I was. In fact, many residents of Prince George don't even realize that we are a charity - not just non-profit - but an actual registered charity that is dedicated to giving back to our community every day. So yes, we ARE a gym, but we are also so much more.
When you become a member at the YMCA, you pay membership fees. Paying these fees not only grants you access to our wide range of fitness equipment, classes, steam room, lockers, discounted programs and REC Room, but also contributes to a variety of initiatives created to enhance the community in which we live.
We rely on income from our programs as well as donations to provide for the hundreds of locals who can't do it on their own. Other gyms might engage in occasional acts of philanthropy, but we make social responsibility a daily priority.
Operating out of TEN facilities in Prince George, the YMCA meets the needs of a very wide demographic. I can't tell you everything that goes on at every facility each day - there is just too much - but I can say that I have witnessed firsthand the impact our organization has on the individuals who benefit from our services.
I've talked to a Camp Kannanaq counsellor who has never been so touched as she was at the end of the session when one child, whose parents weren't able to attend, couldn't believe she was actually there just to watch him in their final performance.
I met a mother who battled cancer while taking classes at the Y and is now an inspirational fitness instructor.
I listened to one young man say, after being left immobile from an automobile accident, that doctors told him he would never walk again. Well, with the help of some of our amazing YMCA staff, he is DEFINITELY walking now!
I'll be blogging more about our Y Champions soon - these are only three of the dozens of stories I've heard in just the last couple of months since starting here. I can only imagine how many more there are left to discover. Each service that we provide really deserves its own post, but here I'd like to summarize some of the main duties our departments perform at the YMCA:
Membership/Health & Fitness (Massey): Provides support, guidance and education about keeping healthy in a fun, safe and engaging way. They offer everything from treadmills to child minding to climbing walls and try to make everyone feel welcome. Assisted memberships allow those who want to join but can't afford it to work out payments that they can manage.
http://www.pgymca.com/membership/index.php
Child Care (various locations): From Early Childhood Education to School Age Care, all of our licensed child care programs, including Preschool, are built to help your child learn in a supportive, secure environment that fosters growth in all areas of physical, mental, emotional and social wellness.
http://www.pgymca.com/child_care/index.php
Seniors' Recreation (Simon Fraser Lodge): The staff and volunteers involved with SFL recreation programming take pride in improving the quality of life of the seniors that reside in the long-term care facility. They create individualized fitness regimes, organize social outings and take care of the residents' pets!
http://www.pgymca.com/seniors/simon_fraser_lodge.php
At-Risk Youth Services (Youth Around Prince): For years, the YMCA has maintained a safe place for at-risk youth to visit and receive assistance by way of advice, clothing, food, work programs, counselling services and more. Working with these teens allows them access to opportunities they would not have otherwise and gives them the chance to make self-improvements.
http://www.pgymca.com/teens/youth_around_prince.php
That's not all, but I hope I've been able to get you interested in learning more about the YMCA. I encourage you to really get to know us. There are several different ways... find the method that works best for you and don't ever hesitate to ask questions! We can only continue to grow and improve by listening to our community and working to address its ever-changing needs.
When you choose to become a member, employee, volunteer or donor of the YMCA, you choose to become part of a caring, dedicated family that you can count on through good times and bad.
Oh, and don't forget, you get that 'gym' pass too!
-Tia
Find us here:
Website: http://www.pgymca.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pgymca
Twitter: www.twitter.com/pgymca
E-mail: communications@pgymca.com
or comment below!
Photo by Birgit Allgaier of Your Mind's Eye Photography
