Fall 2013

Values in Action

OkanaganYMCA of

Introducing the YMCA Strong Kids Play CardAddressing the overall health and well-

being of children and youth is a primary concern of the YMCA of Okanagan. Only 7% of children and youth meet Canada’s guidelines of 60 minutes of physical activity a day and kids ages 6–19 spend 62% of their free time (after school and weekends) sedentary.

YMCA of Okanagan is one of 13 YMCAs in Canada taking part in a program which will measure the impact of YMCA programs to determine if education and free access to YMCA programming will influence a child’s physical activity, healthy eating and nutrition.

The Impact Measurement Initiative has three parts; the first is to provide full access to the YMCA, the second is to promote and encourage healthy choices in eating and physical activity and the third is to measure the impact of the Initiative.

Our YMCA will provide access through a new program called YMCA Strong Kids Play Card. The YMCA Strong Kids Play Card program provides free membership to the Kelowna Family YMCA. The first pilot group is full time registrants in YMCA Out of School Care programs. Over 75 children have been offered the YMCA Strong Kids Play Card, thanks to 2013 donors of the Strong Kids Campaign.

Children 12 and under participating in the program will get the chance to play

sports, learn to swim and do all sorts of fun activities. The Out of School Care and Membership Services staff are working in unison to share the message of what the program is and what a Kelowna Family YMCA membership offers.

The program staff in YMCA Out of School Care will be adding curriculum focused on healthy eating and the benefits of physical activity. This adds to our existing commitment to ensure that every child in YMCA Child Care Programs participates in 45 minutes of physical activity every day.

The children are participating in surveys to measure the impact of the Initiative. The Impact Measurement surveys were administered in September 2013 locally and in all 13 YMCA sites across Canada. The questions were simple and in most cases could be easily completed by the children.

Some sample questions included:• What did you eat for

breakfast today?• What is the best snack choice?

Yogurt or ice cream? Cheese or goldfish crackers?

• Yesterday, did you play in an activity that made your heart beat fast and made you breathe hard for 20 minutes?

The answers were fascinating and sometimes entertaining. In most cases, children knew what a better snack choice

was but didn’t necessarily make those choices in what they actually ate. The same survey will be conducted with the same kids in June to measure the impact a deeper YMCA experience provides.

It is the YMCA’s long term hope that as a result of these initiatives, the children will feel happier, improve their self-confidence, learn new skills, grow stronger and be healthier overall.

I am so thankful for everything the Y has done for my family. It means the world that my children are safe in any program they attend at the Y. I know my children are in good hands and I am grateful to have a Y in my community that enriches their lives every day. —Ashley Sullivan

To learn more about the YMCA Impact Measurement Initiative or to become a corporate sponsor or individual contributor of the Strong Kids Play Card Program in 2014, please contact Allyson Graf 250-764-9621 #302 or agraf@ymcaokanagan.ca

Kelowna Family YMCA Member Chris Chapman and his wife Susan have been successful business owners in Kelowna since 2000, owning three Tim Hortons stores in the Kelowna area and being involved in multiple community projects through out the years.

Chris sees the YMCA as one significant anchor in his life, the other being his family. Over the years, through conversations with Y staff he began to learn more about various programs being offered at the YMCA, of particular interest was the Strong Kids Campaign.

“When I learned about how many children in this neighborhood struggle for the basics I found it very upsetting. I didn’t realize the scope of the programs being offered and how important the resources

Donor Spotlight: Tim Hortons Cookie Campaign Brings Smiles to Okanagan Children

made available through the YMCA are for the healthy development of these children,” says Chris. “It’s a scary thought where some of them may end up if they don’t have access to these programs.”

Approximately 1 in 4 children participating at the YMCA receive financial sponsorship and the percentage is even higher for child care families. Close to 50 percent of families served by YMCA Child Care programs receive some sort of financial aid in order to participate.

Chris and Susan are now avid supporters of these families and recently chose to reach out to the network of Tim Hortons owners with a proposal they knew would be an easy sell. With an upcoming opportunity to raise thousands of dollars he shared the opportunity to

provide healthy snacks to every child enrolled in a YMCA Child Care program. The response of the owners was a unanimous yes. The 2013 Smile Cookie Campaign was an overwhelming success raising $30,598 through eleven stores located between West Kelowna and Winfield in support of the Strong Kids Healthy Snacks Program. This translates to 45,240 healthy snacks being served to kids enrolled in 2014 programs.

“I see so much potential in this program—our children’s health need to be a priority. Taking small steps that influence the wellbeing and the future of our community is critical. I’m grateful I can share my success and the success of my colleagues with the community in which we live,” says Chris.

2014 Annual Campaign Case Priorities and 2013 ImpactWith the support of donors and committed volunteers the YMCA continues to

have a positive impact on children, youth and families living in the Okanagan. It continues to be our goal to ensure that all kids have an equal opportunity to participate in programs that help them explore and reach their full potential.

2014 Priorities • To raise $525,000 during the 2014 Campaign.• To provide continued access to the YMCA for families in need.• To sustain programming targeting vulnerable children and families.• To invest in the potential of our youth through

leadership development opportunities• To target the health and wellbeing of children through

programs such as the Strong Kids Play Card.

2013 Impact to date

2195 kids received Assisted

Memberships at the Y

178 families were provided

affordable child care

201 campers were sponsored at Silver

Lake Camp and Day Camps this summer

7322 Okanagan kids actively

engaged in programs that are

partially funded by donors.

My little angel, Summer Belle, just turned 5 years old and started French kindergarten this year. She had been a student at Little Scholars for 3 years. Needless to say I am a very proud father, but I was a little worried about how she would adapt at her new school. I approached the YMCA teachers back in the summer and expressed my concern. They assured me that I had the brightest, most caring, beautiful little girl in the entire world. Although my concerns as a parent were warranted, I had nothing to worry about.

Do you know how wonderful that is to hear from an educator? From someone who spends more working hours in a day with my child than I do. We are now 2 weeks into kindergarten and my little angel can count to 20 in French, knows the entire alphabet and has more friends now than I have in my entire life! I feel this can be directly related to the care and attention she received from her education at Little Scholars. We love you guys!

When my little buddy, Robert “Jaxson”, was ready for daycare, we placed him in a different centre, which had a great

indoor playroom. We noticed a difference in atmosphere right away. There was little communication and eventually we were told that Jaxson got a “little too excited,” so he was not allowed to join his friends in the playroom. Right away we went to Little Scholars and as luck would have it there was an opening.

It has been just over 2 weeks since Jaxson started at Little Scholars: he eats better, looks happier, sleeps better and has never been singled out for getting too excited! If my little buddy wants to play outside all day, then he gets to play outside all day. We love you guys!

I have embarked on a new career in the financial industry and our current cash flows are tight. My fiancée also works full time but things were really, really tight. It was suggested that we apply for YMCA financial assistance. I was so amazed to find out that we would be receiving this financial support thanks to YMCA donors. Now you are giving our children the best education, letting them play and learn and saving the parents money in our time of need! We love you guys!

We love the YMCA!By Joel Ritchie

At the YMCA, we never met a kid whose potential we couldn’t see.

Visit ymcapotential.ca

Undercover Boss uncovers camp improvement opportunity

The YMCA of Okanagan was proud to be one of the four YMCAs featured on Undercover Boss Canada. President and CEO Scott Haldane went undercover and interviewed Stu McQueen, the operations manager of Silver Lake Camp.

“He [Stu] really gets what we’re all about because it’s what he’s all about,” says Scott. One of his discoveries during his time with Stu was the camp’s need for updated equipment, in particular a Bobcat compact tractor. After revealing his true identity, Scott announced that the camp would be receiving a Bobcat, with thanks to William’s Machinery who contributed a donation towards its purchase.

Stu has since used the Bobcat to help build a brand new 80-by-45-foot basketball court, which became a reality in part thanks to a donation from local company Burnco Landscape. “I’ve been able to save thousands of dollars in equipment rental fees,” says Stu, who has become something of a local celebrity since the show aired. Most important to Stu, though? He wanted to be sure that he represented his family and co-workers respectfully. Proof of his success? “My mom was thrilled.”

Lake Okanagan Insurance Society (LOIS) raise $6,570 at their 29th Annual

golf tournament. Combined with a donation of $4,565 earlier this year,

LOIS has contributed $11,135 to support campers at Silver Lake in 2013.

Urban Systems volunteered to help to clear the hiking trails at Silver Lake Camp.Over 40 volunteers from BDO helped

clean the grounds and facilities, making it the biggest volunteer work day

Silver Lake Camp has seen to date!

Over $44,000 was raised during the 2013 Spin for Strong Kids.

Special thanks to Delcourt Wealth Management, Fresh Air and all the sponsors and teams for the best year yet.

Hundreds of children participated in the Strong Kids Running Series: races geared towards fun, family

and giving back. All proceeds from this series were generously

donated to the YMCA Strong Kids.

Kelowna Kia Drives Change in our community by raising awareness and funds for the Strong Kids Campaign.

YMCA of Okanagan 375 Hartman Road, Kelowna, BC V1X 2M9 250-764-9621 ymcaokanagan.ca

People strengthening community...

Rotary Club of Kelowna Ogopogo donates $3,750 sending 5 kids to

Silver Lake Camp and purchasing 10 much needed camp mattresses.

Children and youth who have special needs at the Kelowna

Family Y will benefit from a new height adjustable table made

possible by a grant provided by Variety – The Children’s Charity.

Kelowna Fire Fighters donate $1,400 and help four kids experience a

great week at summer camp.