Ignite the Spark Campaign Update We're nearly there!

Dear Friends of the YMCA:

There’s something magical about the first few snows of the season and the feeling of the holidays in the air. Our thoughts often turn to those we love as well as to those who may be less fortunate than ourselves.

In this season of giving, I am writing to give you an update on our annual fundraising campaign along with some personal stories of how your participation in the Y and your generosity to our people and programs, you have made an important difference in the lives of so many.

You have helped us raise 93 per cent of the 2024 Ignite the Spark campaign goal of $432,000, which amounts to $401,760.!

With a few weeks to the end of the year, we are confident that we will reach 100 per cent of our goal with your help.

And our members and program participants across all ages have felt the impact of your caring. In 2024, you helped to provide financial assistance to 2,670 members and to subsidize campers over 278 weeks of summer camps.

Thank you!

In this update, I’d like to focus on one of our critical programs of which you may not be familiar – our Student Impact Program. The ultimate goal of SIP is to assist students who would benefit from alternative academic programming to build success and allow student to re-integrate into an academic setting. This is done by helping students develop the skills necessary to better engage with the world around them and to keep pace academically with their peers.

We are very proud of this program as academic success has life-long repercussions not only to a person’s ability to have wider career choices, but also to health, relationships and mental health outcomes.

We have 30 participants and are maintaining an 85 per cent attendance rate and a full grade eight and grade 12 graduation rate in the 2023-2024 school year. One student has applied to college; three have become Y volunteers and one was hired in their first job at the Y.

1. 19. what some of our students have to say.

“I attend the Student Impact Program at the YMCA. With my anxiety, I struggle… in a normal classroom and I enjoy that [at SIP] students have the personal space to work on schoolwork. It has helped me feel more comfortable. Talking with Ashley and having the support of staff has made a big impact on my life and made me feel not alone; I have felt supported emotionally and socially, and had help with decision-making while being here.”  - Grade 11 female student

“I enjoyed going to Lemoines Point (a hiking spot) in the Student Impact Program. My favorite memory so far is when we went I had tried the entire time to get a Blue Jay to take the feed from my hand. With no luck, I started to get frustrated. By the time we made it to the end of the trail, the teacher and SIP staff encouraged me to try again. Right before we left he landed on my hand and ate the seed. It was so cool, Blue Jays never landed on anyone but I fed him.”  - Grade 11 male student 

“I’m a Grade 12 student and have been attending since I was in Grade 11. I struggle to focus in the normal classroom, often getting distracted or not motivated to complete the work. In the SIP class, I have the help of a teacher who helps keep me on track, and Ashley who has helped with decision-making and life-skills outside of the classroom.”  - Grade 12 male student 

“I like the classroom; it’s a nice space and I enjoy going swimming at the YMCA. Our class goes swimming every two weeks and it’s something I look forward to the most when I come to class.” - Grade 10 male student

We are delighted with the ongoing success of the Student Impact Program. Your support of the Y mission to help everyone shine brighter and reach their potentials plays a huge role in allowing us to take on these important programs.

I hope you will consider giving to the Y as you contemplate your year-end donations.

I thank you for your ongoing support. On behalf of the YMCA of Eastern Ontario, I wish each-and-every one of you a joyous holiday season.

Warmest regards,

 

Rob Adams
CEO, YMCA of Eastern Ontario

P.S. Don't forget to get your $50 ticket for chances to win some terrific prizes in the Shed Some Joy fundraising event run by Brockville Hyundai! Money raised goes to your YMCA.