Peterborough Business Network Donates $15,000 to the YMCA's 'Strong Kids Campaign'

The Peterborough Business Network (PBN) has donated $15,000 to the YMCA of Central East Ontario for their ‘Strong Kids Campaign’ in a cheque presentation on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Business Network.

“A core mandate of the Peterborough Business Network is supporting organizations that help grow and elevate our Peterborough community,” said Alex Archibald of the PBN. “The YMCA of Central East Ontario is exactly this type of organization and we couldn't be happier to support their Strong Kids campaign as they work to make a positive difference in our community.”

The campaign is an annual fundraising campaign to allow everyone, especially children, youth, and families, access to the YMCA, regardless of their financial situation. Accessibility includes opportunities to participate in programming, membership and day camp opportunities.

“I believe that every child deserves a chance to reach their full potential to live healthier, happier lives today and grow into productive, healthy adults in the future, regardless of their financial situation,” said Dave Morello, Strong Kids chairman. “The efforts of the Peterborough Business Network, to do great community work to ensure this is a reality.”

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YMCA and Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre Partner To Create Provide Recreational Opportunities For Urban Indigenous Youth

After a Community Development Grant from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, the YMCA of Central East Ontario has partnered with the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre’s Waawiye Kinoomaagzijig Alternative School Program to create a recreational platform for urban Indigenous youth announced on Tuesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The youth are from the Waawiye Kinoomaagzijig Alternative School Program and have been granted recreational instruction, access to recreational facilities and specialized classes.

The two-hour program occurs twice a week at the YMCA of Central East Ontario, Balsillie Family Branch. Activities may include weight training, powwow dancing, self-defence and more. The second day is dedicated to free time with available activities such as basketball, pickleball, swimming and conditioning.

“We are excited for this opportunity to partner with the YMCA, supported by a generous grant from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities,” says Ashley Safar, Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre executive director. This partnership and funding will increase access and enhance our ability to provide engaging and culturally enriching recreational programs tailored to the needs and interests of youth in our Waawiye Kinoomaagzijig Alternative Secondary School Program.”

This funding covers YMCA staff assistance and instruction, external instructors, equipment, transportation and gym clothing for the participants. The grant aims to remove any financial obstacles and ensure Indigenous youth’s engagement in the program.

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Peterborough Kia to Host Inaugural Car Show to Support Kawartha Food Share and YMCA

Get into Peterborough Kia’s first annual classic car show to be hosted at their dealership this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Event flyer of Peterborough Kia’s first car show. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Kia.

The dealership is located at 238 Lansdowne St. E.

The show features classic cars from the 60s and 70s and is providing live music and a 50/50 draw.

Proceeds of the event are going to Kawartha Food Share and Peterborough YMCA.

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New Adaptive Children's Swim Program Launched By YMCA

After receiving a grant from the Peterborough Foundation, the YMCA of Central East Ontario has launched an adaptive swim pilot program for children, especially with disabilities announced on Thursday.

File photo.

The program welcomes children of all abilities, including those with physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities, as well as those with autism, ADHD and other neurodiverse conditions according to a press release.

“Swimming is an essential life skill, and we have seen there is a need for affordable, adaptive lessons,” said Shannon Hunter, YMCA regional supervisor of aquatics and camp. “Parents are fearful that their children will get left behind without the skills they need to stay safe this summer.”

The program is designed with guidance from Heads Up for Inclusion and Five Counties Children’s Centre. It was developed after all three organizations received multiple requests from parents for a water safety program.

“We recognize that every child is unique and we are committed to providing individualized instruction that caters to each child's specific needs and goals,” said Hunter. “With the help of Five Counties Children’s Centre, our team of experienced and certified swim instructors has received training in adaptive teaching techniques to ensure that every child feels comfortable and supported.”

Registration for the pilot program is full but you can be put on a waitlist or get more information placed on a waitlist by contacting Shannon Hunter at shannon.hunter@ceo.ymca.ca.

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Ontario Government Provides $250,000 to YMCA in Peterborough and Quinte to Offset COVID-19 Expenses

The Ontario Government and Ontario Trillium Foundation have provided the YMCA of Central East Ontario a $250,000 Community Building Fund grant to help offset any costs incurred from the COVID-19 pandemic, announced on Friday afternoon.

(from left to right) MaryAnne Wooldridge, General Manager Balsillie Family Branch; MPP Dave Smith and David Allen, President and CEO of YMCA of Central East Ontario. Photo by Samantha Bianco.

The money was split between the Balsillie Family Branch location in Peterborough and the Belleville branch and the John Williams branch in Quinte West. The former got the lion’s share with around $200,000 of the grant according to MPP Dave Smith.

“Today’s funding announcement has been a tremendous help to the Peterborough YMCA in continuing to provide services within our community,” said Dave Smith, MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha. “This allows them to continue focusing on the important work they do best, which is helping to support the health and wellness of children, families and individuals right here in our region.”

In addition to paying off the upkeep of operation expenses, the grant helped it purchase software with web and virtual costs.

“Like so many other organizations, the past few years have been a really challenging time for our YMCA,” explained David Allen, YMCA of Central East Ontario president and CEO. “This grant allowed our YMCA to cover software and operational expenses at a time when membership revenue was limited.”

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YMCA Launches Buckhorn As New Camp Day Location for 2023

YMCA of Central East Ontario has Buckhorn as one of their new day camp locations for this summer 2023 announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of the YMCA.

The camp is in partnership with the Buckhorn Community Centre and offers it to children ages 4 to 12 for six weeks. Each week has a new theme which is highlighted in games, songs, arts and crafts, creative play, sports, adventures and more according to a press release.

Camps will run from July 3 to Aug. 11 at the Buckhorn Community Centre located at 1782 Lakehurst Road.

“The YMCA is excited to add Buckhorn to our summer camp programs,” said Shannon Hunter, regional supervisor of aquatics and camp. “The Buckhorn Community Centre is a beautiful location with so much potential for experiential programming in stunning natural surroundings.”

Registration is now open online or in person at the YMCA Balsillie Family Branch.

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Peterborough Seeking Approval For $8.2 Million Community Health Centre From Provincial Government

Community leaders have proposed an $8.2 million community health centre (CHC) has been to help 6,000 marginalized people announced at the YMCA of Central East Ontario on Wednesday.

Johnathan Bennett, CHC director and chair is part of four board of director members spearheading the porposed centre. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The centre is set to offer on-site laboratory services, pharmacy, access to social work, peer navigation, physiotherapy, parenting supports and specialist support for mental health and addictions according to Jonathan Bennett, Peterborough CHC’s board chair.

“A community health centre essentially asks that family physicians become employees,” he explained. “They're salary so it tends to attract different kinds of a physician to work and surround that position to help more complex issues (usually marginalized folk) that take longer to receive the care that they need.”

The proposal was first made to the Ministry of Health by the Peterborough Ontario Health Team on Aug. 5.

“Peterborough has the fourth highest level of marginalization among 42 Ontario Health Team regions yet we don’t have the health care model that is designed and resourced to serve more complex patients,” said Dr. Dawn Lavell-Harvard, CHC vice chair.

Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith joined the announcement showing his support for the centre.

“More than 60 per cent of new medical graduates want a salaried position with flexibility to explore many challenges in healthcare,” he said. “The community health centre would provide that attractive option to entice new physicians to our area in a way we have not had in the past. It will integrate into our existing healthcare options to help reduce hallway healthcare, reduce demand on the emergency room and provide the right care where it is needed most.”

He also added that the closest CHCs are in Lindsay and Cobourg which are too far away from anyone living in Peterborough especially if they need care and have no vehicle.

“It’s 49 kilometres from the edge of Lindsay to the edge of Peterborough. How many individuals, who don’t have access to a car, are going to walk to Lindsay? How many individuals are going to walk to Cobourg?” said Smith. “The answer is historically none.”

Bennett and Lavell-Harvard make up two CHC board of director members (chair and vice chair respectively) with Sarah Budd (treasurer) and James Shipley (director) who are spearheading the proposal.

A location has yet to be determined for the new proposed centre.

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YMCA Closing All Branches For Friday Due To Inclement Weather

Due to the inclement weather from the winter storm, the YMCA is closing all their branches on Friday.

File photo.

The branches closed at 10 a.m. Friday, citing the health and safety of our staff and members is the top priority.

YMCA says they are providing an update to be open for Christmas Eve later on Friday. They were originally scheduled to be open until 2 p.m. on that day.

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YMCA of Central East Ontario to Honour Local Peacemaker at Peace Medal Ceremony

On Nov. 24, The YMCA of Central East Ontario is hosting a Peace Medal Ceremony, celebrating a Nogojiwanong community member who has made significant contributions toward peace-building through grassroots efforts.

Photo courtesy of The YMCA of Central East Ontario.

Mkwa Ghiizis (Crystal Hebert) will be honoured at the YMCA Balsillie Family Branch at noon. Mkwa is a 2-spirit water protector, artist and advocate living in the Nogojiwanong community since 2006.

They are the founder of Tweak Easy, a grassroots overdose prevention site. They organize advocacy rallies, vigils and marches, holding events that bring community members and organizations together in finding grassroots solutions to the opioid and homelessness crisis. They focus on low-barrier access to ceremony, medicines and support for those experiencing systemic failures, as well as those engaging in sex work or drug use from an Indigenous Harm Reduction approach.

From Nov. 12 to 19, the YMCA recognizes Peace Week. The YMCA of Central East Ontario, together with other YMCAs across Canada, are celebrating the presence of peace and reflecting on peace-building work that happens through the organization. During YMCA Peace Week they honour those at the forefront of these peace-building efforts.

The YMCA recognizes Mkwa’s work as a voice for those experiencing systemic failures within the community.

“The recipient of the YMCA Peace Medal demonstrates that peace has many dimensions. They show us the importance of building community, where people feel that they belong and are included. Most often their actions started small and grew into something bigger than themselves. That is the power of peace,” says David Allen, president and CEO of the YMCA of Central East Ontario.

To learn more about YMCA Peace Week, click here.

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YMCA of Central East Ontario To Sign On To Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care System

The YMCA of Central East Ontario will sign on to the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system along with the other 13 YMCA associations across Ontario announced Tuesday.

File photo.

The YMCA says in a press release that while “considerable work remains to address workforce shortages and to improve equity, inclusion and accessibility, (they) look forward to working alongside government and community partners to support its successful implementation and future growth.” The CWELCC system is an “opportunity to build a stronger publicly-managed early years system that will benefit children and their families for years to come.”

"Ultimately our goal is affordable, accessible and high-quality child care for parents, we have advocated for that and understand the importance of high-quality and affordable childcare for families in our community,” said David Allen, YMCA Central East Ontario president and CEO. "Fees will vary from family to family depending on what they’re paying now. For example, more care is required for an infant than for a six-year-old. But providers like the Y who have opted into CWELLC will be reducing fees for 0-6 years old by more than 50 per cent on January 1.”

YMCAs advocate for a high-quality licensed childcare system that is affordable and accessible. They say they have developed and honed a research-based early learning curriculum that is now delivered across Canada.

"As the largest provider of childcare in the province, we are also the number one choice of parents and families, making us the most trusted provider in the province. We have long known that healthy and robust childcare programs set children up for success," said Allen.

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