Welcome back! Rob's Blog

Hello and Welcome Back!

It has been a while since I have written everyone and I've got to say that it’s great to see so many familiar faces and the smiles that come along with them!  

With the energizing summer we had with YMCA summer camps running in Kingston, Brockville and Kemptville, partnerships with the Town of Prescott and City of Brockville for lifeguarding duties, and an agreement with the Town of Gananoque to operate a teen drop-in program with RNJ Youth Services and Gan Police and Fire Services.

Over the past 10 days, we have been happy to see members back in our facilities and can’t wait to launch swim lessons and youth rec programs on September 20^th . We are equally glad to see more children in our childcare program with the start of the new school year. With the opening of our facilities came the decision to again put safety first – this time by creating a vaccination policy for our staff, members and all visitors. Our leadership on this issue has proven to be effective and aligns with the province’s recent announcement on a provincial vaccination passport. Details about how your Y will monitor this will be shared in the coming weeks as we received details from the province and public health.

My personal thanks goes to everyone who has supported this decision and who have not only signed their own vaccination pledge, but helped to put our new policy into practice.

While summer days are coming to an end, your Y is already planning on a busy fall and will be participating in important community events, late September and October, your Y will be hosting vaccination clinics in partnership with Leeds & Grenville Public Health. We are working out dates and will make that announcement very soon. We have made the same offer to KFL&A Public Health who have us on its radar should the need arise. 

On September 26, your Y will once again be proudly participating in the Pride Parade in Kingston. It will be wonderful to get together in person to celebrate diversity and we hope to see you along the route, Covid protocols allowing.

Below are some highlights of my schedule for next week. 

Monday – Kingston, meeting with City of Kingston Officials, YMCA Canada COVID-19 Taskforce Meeting
Tuesday – Kingston, Senior Leadership Team Meeting
Wednesday – YMCA of Niagara visit, YMCA Ontario Surge Committee Meeting
Thursday – Brockville
Friday – Brockville, Meeting Brockville Public Library Partnership Discussion.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Rob
Rob Adams
CEO, YMCA of Eastern Ontario