YMCA
Winter 2008/2009
YMCAs OF CAMBRIDGE & KITCHENER-WATERLOO INTRODUCE COMMON
MISSION, VISION & VALUES The YMCA is a charitable organization that strengthens our community by providing opportunities for personal growth and active involvement for all children, adults and families.
A common strategic plan is an important element of the collaboration between the YMCA of Cambridge and the KitchenerWaterloo YMCA. If the two YMCAs are to see the benefits of working closely together, they require a common strategy for the future. With everyone on the same page, our YMCAs can be the best they can be while responding to the needs of their communities. Since everything the YMCA does is based upon its Mission, Vision and Values, it was critical that each YMCA have the same ones. The good news is that although they used different words, each YMCA’s Mission, Vision and Values already had much in common. But since they were not exactly the same, the first task of the Boards of Directors was to establish common wording. Considerable thought and time was given to this task. Mission An organization’s mission focuses on what it is doing today by reflecting its core purpose and identity. It defines why our YMCAs exist. The common mission emphasizes that the YMCA is a charity and then outlines how it achieves its charitable mandate.
A leader in building a strong, healthy community through innovation and collaboration.
Vision A vision is best defined as “an image of the future we seek to create.” This definition illustrates why it is important that collaborating YMCAs agree on who they are and where they are going. Both YMCAs have been dedicated to building strong, healthy communities. The common vision continues to emphasize this work. Initially, the YMCA was not commonly viewed by people outside the organization to be a leader in this area. Much progress has been made in the meantime and with continued emphasis on this work, the YMCA is expected to be more commonly viewed as a leader. The vision directs the YMCA to achieve it by being innovative and collaborative. This direction builds upon the YMCA’s history of innovation. By collaboration, the vision means it in a broader sense than just our YMCAs’ new relationship. For example, there may be opportunities to work with others in our communities who share our approach to building a healthy community.
Acceptance: welcoming and open to all Caring: acting with compassion and concern for the well being of others Health: developing people in spirit, mind and body Respect: treating all persons with dignity Responsibility: accountable for oneself, others, our environment and the world we live in Values Values are an expression of “what is important to us and what we believe in.” As a values-based organization, they are the foundation for what we do and how we operate today, including all of the Y’s programs and services, and into the future. Where did these values come from? Two of the common values, Caring and Responsibility, were core values of both YMCAs. Acceptance was a KW YMCA core value but it was also found in the concept of inclusiveness included in the YMCA of Cambridge’s mission. Respect was a value in Cambridge but it is also commonly a value of YMCAs across North America. Making health a value is appropriate as it is a part of the YMCA’s core foundation. It emphasizes the Y’s holistic approach to health and that we want to ensure we give everyone opportunities to grow in spirit, mind and body.
The common Mission, Vision and Values were passed by each Board of Directors in November. Details of the remainder of the common strategic plan will be made available in 2009.
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kwymca.org
COMMON
Ahmad Zeitoun, a volunteer youth & cultural adovcate, with his mother Aiche (left) and Ken Seiling (right), Chair, Region of Waterloo during Peace Week in November. He works as a peer leader with the Youth Action Alliance funded by the Region of Waterloo. It is a group of youth fighting the tobacco industry by educating youth about the industry.
MISSION, VISION
AND VALUES
REFLECTS BOTH YMCAs As outlined in this newsletter, the respective Boards have each approved a common Mission, Vision, Values. What I find most interesting is that although both YMCAs are serving different people, in different programs, in different communities, their reason for doing it (Mission); what we hope to accomplish as an organization (Vision), how we do it (Values) and who does it (Staff/Volunteers) are very similar. I believe that both YMCAs are very strong and successful because they have retained their core purpose (Mission) and how each delivers its programs (values) even though the types of programs and services offered are significantly different than in the 1960s –or even the 1980s. Personally, I wish that you and your family have a time of fun, reflection and renewal during the Christmas Season and a healthy 2009! Sincerely, John Haddock CEO, YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener Waterloo
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“JOIN ME IN BUILDING
A BETTER
WORLD.” By Ahmad Zeitoun
Ahmad Zeitoun received a 2008 YMCA Peace Medallion from the YMCA of Cambridge in the Strong Kids category. He is actively pursuing social change through his involvement with the YMCA, the Islamic Centre of Cambridge and Waterloo Region Public Health. Here is his acceptance speech. Peace is a very powerful word. The concept of peace is abused all around the world. Peace is not just a concept of mental calmness and non-violent solutions. Peace is a quality that every one of us has the potential to embrace. However, it is weaved through our hearts in such a way that it takes a lot to activate the peace inside us. When I used to live in London, I was young and had difficulty establishing a state of peace in my heart and through my actions. I was a big troublemaker.
As soon as I stepped in Cambridge, my life turned around. As a result of my experiences with the people in this community I started to feel that I had a mission to actively bring peace. My involvement with the community gave me a special feeling in my heart. It’s like getting goose bumps, but not just once, but over and over and over again. Since the first time I volunteered with the YMCA of Cambridge I felt so much energy, which guided me to volunteer again and again. Since then, I have become an absolutely different man. The way I interact with people is different. The way I make eye contact is different. The way I eat is different. The way I solve problems is different. The way I learn is different. The way I see things is pragmatic and different. The way a see the world is different. The way I see and act on peace is different. However, the only thing that stayed the same is my body. This means that everyone else can change too. Everyone else can open their hearts and minds to the world. Everyone else can communicate, love, respect, and reflect with each other. We are one. We might look different. But truly we are all the same. We are beautiful, sophisticated, intelligent human beings. We are united. I will dedicate my life to continue to make changes and unite all people to peace. We are one. Let’s act like we are one and take action together! Feel it, and believe it and do it.
FIVE YEARS OF
HELPING CAMBRIDGE
KIDS 10 - 17: “Where would you be without the Z?” He replied, “Getting in trouble,” after pausing to think, he expanded on his answer, “I’d probably be back in jail too…” The Cambridge Youth Leadership Development Centre, commonly called the Z Beside the Y, celebrated its fifth anniversary in November of helping kids: Stay in School Keep Away from Drugs Strive for success Established in 2003, the Z gives kids a place where they feel like they belong and a chance to grow as individuals. It gives youth the tools to build themselves a better future.
YOUTH TELL US WE ARE CHANGING THEIR LIVES
“It made me change from being a really shy person to a more out-going individual who is able to take smart risks.”
Each program run at the Z beside the Y is designed using a program logic model to plan and describe the outcomes we wish to see in youth who participate in the program. Surveys tell us how we are making an impact on young lives.
The Z engages youth in planning, carrying out and evaluating their activities. Constant conversation, family meetings and surveys are used to gather input from teens regularly to create programming and community projects that engage youth. A Youth Centre Council, composed mainly of youth, plays an active role in the life of the Z.
A 2008 survey of participants at the drop-in recreation program at the Z, revealed the following impact. Youth said the Z has helped them:
To learn more about the Z, visit: ymcacambridge.com/zbesidethey.html The YMCAs of Cambridge & KitchenerWaterloo are making an impact upon the health and lives of people at all ages and stages of life. This story is part of a series that reports on our efforts to measure our impact upon the people we serve.
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Tell the truth even when it’s not easy Be responsible for what I do Care about other people Express my feelings in a way that doesn’t hurt others Stay out of trouble Feel good about themselves Get along with others
Teens who have completed the Z leadership programs over the past three years have consistently reported the following outcomes. They said the Z helped them: 0%
Feel good about themselves Make better decisions Stand up for what I believe in even when it’s unpopular Respect people from different cultures Stay away from drugs Deal with difficult people Be a leader
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TURNBULL FAMILY ENCOURAGE GIFTS TO HELP
YMCA BUILD STRONG KIDS The Turnbull Family is no stranger to the YMCA. For three generations now, the Turnbulls have been involved with the Chaplin Family YMCA. Linda Turnbull first joined the YMCA in 1978 after some encouragement from her father who was a member. Shortly thereafter, Linda became involved in group fitness classes at the Cambridge Y and became a fitness instructor, teaching everything from power pacing, muscle classes, step and aerobics. Husband Lindsay Turnbull started volunteering at the Y in individual conditioning in 1989. By 1997, he was actively involved in the Strong Kids Campaign. Lindsay says, “We give to the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign because we can see how the Y benefits people every day. As a volunteer and donor I have met hundreds of people who I have seen develop and grow into good citizens of this community.” With two parents so involved in the life of the YMCA, it was perhaps no surprise that son Roy Turnbull remembers being involved with the Y since he was a young child. Roy learned to swim at the Y and attended Y camp during the summer.
A self-described “Y rat,” Roy took his NLS certification and worked as a lifeguard at the Cambridge Y from 1992-1997. For Roy, it was natural to take his aquatics training to the next level, and he credits the Y with giving him the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and for building his confidence as a youth. The third generation of the Turnbull family – grandchildren Zachary, Davina and Ella – are active YMCA members. The whole Turnbull family meets at the Y several times a week to spend time together as a family. For the past two or three years Lindsay and his grandson Zachary have participated in the YMCA Spring Clean Up. In 2007, Zachary and Davina won an award for the most pledges raised for the Jingle Bell Run, an annual fundraising event in support of the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. When asked to represent the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign for 2008, the Turnbull Family was keen to do so because they believe that every family deserves access to YMCA programs and services. Proceeds from YMCA Strong Kids campaign are used to subsidize memberships and day camps for children, youth and families in need.
Name:
Address:
City:
Postal Code:
Home phone:
e-mail:
Yes! I’d like to support the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign in: a Cambridge a Kitchener I have enclosed a gift of: a$25 a$50 a$100 a$250 a$500 a$1000 other
Mail to: YMCA Financial Development, 460 Frederick St., Suite 203, Kitchener, N2H 2P5
It’s not too late to support the 2008 Strong Kids Campaign. By choosing to give to the Campaign, you will be: m m m m
helping a family stay active and healthy with a YMCA membership; enabling a child to grow through a camp experience; giving youth a chance to build leadership skills in a meaningful environment; supporting newcomer youth as they settle in a new community Please join the Turnbull Family in supporting the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign by making an online gift:
ymcastrongkids.ca
Bright Lights for Newcomers
YMCA staff and extended family are supporting 264 people from 60 families in the Region this year who are newcomers settling into life in a new community through the Bright Lights campaign. This year, our YMCAs have chosen to support this effort instead of sending out Christmas Cards.
Do you have a story to tell? What do you think of this newsletter?
Contact James Howe, Director of Communications: james_howe@ymca.ca or 519-584-7479 ext. 207.
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The YMCA of Cambridge’s Charitable Registration # BN 11930 7098 RR0001 The Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA’s Charitable Registration # BN 10757 2687 RR0001