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Meghan Reddick
Vice President, Communications, YMCA Canada
Direct: (416) 967-5435
Cell: (647) 980-9157
meghan_reddick@ymca.ca 

YMCAs in Canada launch 2013 YMCA Strong Kids campaign

Fundraising drive targets over $10 million to eliminate
financial barriers that many across Canada face today

 TORONTO – Feb. 15, 2013 – Many children, teens, young adults and families require financial assistance to participate in YMCA programs.  YMCAs in Canada have launched the 2013 YMCA Strong Kids campaign, with a goal of raising $10.5 million to eliminate the financial barriers that many in Canada are facing.

The national campaign will involve all 45 YMCAs and 6 YMCA-YWCAs across Canada. Money raised will give children, teens and young adults in local communities a chance to join YMCA programs designed to promote health, education and job skills within a positive environment, giving young people the skills that lead to better life decisions.

“One in five kids coming to a local Y (Health & Fitness) need financial assistance today,” said Scott Haldane, President & CEO of YMCA Canada. “Without the YMCA Strong Kids fundraising campaign, the YMCA would not be able to serve these children in need. Our goal is to give kids a chance to learn new skills, meet new friends, set new goals and, ultimately, truly change their lives. The campaign aims to eliminate very real financial barriers, so that all children, teens and young adults can flourish in a healthy, safe and positive environment.”

Every year the YMCA Strong Kids campaign helps families in need of temporary or longer-term financial assistance benefit from Y programs.  YMCA Strong Kids success stories include:

• A child with severe autism, growing up in a single parent family, participated in a summer camp program and his personality began to shine. For the first time he began to engage in group activities and made friends with other children in this safe and caring environment.
• The aunt of two young sisters couldn’t afford to pay for a YMCA membership for both of them at the same time, so they took turns, alternating the membership each month. A YMCA staff member noticed this pattern and was able to provide memberships for both children through our subsidized membership program made possible by the YMCA Strong Kids campaign.
• A school guidance counselor was concerned about four youth who were getting into trouble at school. Through the YMCA Strong Kids campaign, the youth were able to become YMCA members and since then their grades have improved, along with their behaviour at school.

 YMCAs in Canada provide a wide variety of programs that offer invaluable resources to communities. Health, fitness and recreation programs, education, child care, employment and training programs, camp and outdoor skills, leadership and volunteer development – all are much-needed community programs that are giving children and youth a chance to grow in the type of healthy, caring environment that all young people need and deserve.

There are many activities planned at various dates throughout February and March to kick-start the campaign in local communities.  YMCA Canada is encouraging donors to visit the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign web site and choose the community they want to support. All YMCAs accept donations to the campaign throughout the year.

For more information, visit www.ymcastrongkids.ca.

About YMCA Canada

YMCA Canada is a charity dedicated to building healthy communities.  We are committed to nurturing the potential of children, youth and families, promoting healthy living and fostering social responsibility within the community. There are 45 YMCA Member Associations and six YMCA-YWCA Member Associations across Canada. Together, we serve more than two million people, in 1,000 Canadian communities. Our focus on inclusiveness and accessibility means we serve people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities through all stages of life. Through YMCA financial assistance programs and the YMCA Strong Kids campaign, the YMCA is accessible to all.