STEPPING
FORWARD

Our YMCA of Oakville is Stepping Forward to solve the immediate local challenges we face, act on opportunities to pilot, scale and measure our impact and identify new possibilities for programs and services that will build a stronger and healthier community.

Message from the CEO and Board Chair

Through changing times over the past 66 years, our YMCA has continued to step forward to provide solutions to local needs.

‘Our YMCA is stepping forward to solve local challenges we face, act on opportunities to pilot, scale and measure our impact and identify new possibilities for programs and services.’

We are very pleased to provide you with a report that captures our impact and regains our momentum. 2022 was an exceptional year. Despite an uncertain economy, our YMCA delivered on our mission to connect people and build health and well-being through a wide variety of programs for people of all ages and from all circumstances. Children, regardless of where they live or their economic circumstances, developed healthy habits and new skills needed to face the adversity they encounter. Youth need a safe place to socialize, develop leadership skills, land their first job, and engage in sports activities. Adults need affordable licensed child care, safe summer camps for their kids, and their own place to unwind and keep fit. Seniors need to stay physically and socially active through cardio activities, weight training, pickleball, and group fitness. People of all ages need a welcoming and friendly place where there is something for everyone and never a dull moment.

We are proud of how we have addressed these needs and created a positive impact on our community. We could not do it without the support of many individuals, donors, volunteers, staff, community leaders, and partners who believe that what we do makes a difference.

Across Canada, YMCAs have been working on the transformation of licensed child care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to the Affordable Child Care Program. The Ontario government joined CWELCC in the fall of last year. We have been working with Halton Region to understand and adopt the new systems and expectations for operating this part of our licensed child care program under this new agreement, which has required a few business process and logistical changes. We are working hard to adapt to these changing requirements. Licensed Child Care is our largest program area. We deliver Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Full-Day Licensed Child Care in 10 locations, serving hundreds of children per day, and we also deliver Licensed Before and After Child Care in 40 schools across the region. We are extremely proud of our Child Care Educators and the high quality of care they provide to children every day. It is no secret that Early Childhood Educators are vital to society’s ability to take care of children, essentially supporting working families. Our ECEs work tirelessly. Unfortunately, fewer people are choosing this profession. Our YMCA relies on our ability to attract and retain professionals in this critical role. This has been and will continue to be a major focus for our YMCA.

There is no doubt that despite all this great news, our YMCA found emerging from the pandemic to be financially challenging. As government funding was discontinued, our YMCA needed to chart a conservative course to match program delivery with attendance and fee recovery. We have just launched our 2023 Annual Campaign “Ignite the Light,” and we encourage you to take a look at the ways you can continue to support the great work of the Y.

Thank you to all those who stepped forward to assist us by sharing your valuable time, skills, and resources.

Kyle Barber

President & CEO

Paul Nieweglowski

Chair, Board of Directors

2022 YMCA Volunteer & Staff Leadership

YMCA Board of Directors

Paul Nieweglowski, MAppSC | Board Chair
Retired Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environment

Eileen McCormack, MSc. | Vice Chair
Retired, Head of New Product Planning, AstraZeneca, USA

Denis Dinsmore, BComm., CPA, CMA | Vice Chair Finance
VP, Finance & Administration, Re:Sound Music Licensing Company

Ian Troop, BBA, ICD.D, | Past Chair
Principal, Demickmore Limited

Heather Angel, M.Ed., PCC, ICD.D
Principal, Heather Angel & Associates
Sr. Consultant, Phelps: Executive Search & Leadership Advisory

Eduardo Delgado
Associate Vice President, Operational Risk Management,
TD Bank Financial Group

Owen Duguid, Bachelor of Environmental Studies (B.E.S.), J.D.
Lawyer, O’Connor MacLeod Hanna LLP

Anna Maria Iacobelli
Sr. Vice President, TD Canada Trust

Lynn Petruskavich
Director, Thinkstream Inc.

Juzar Pirbhai, CPA, CA, CFA
Head of Stakeholder Engagement and Enterprise Risk Management, Canadian Public Accountability Board

Richard Pratt, B.Comm., LLB
Managing Counsel, RBC Law Group
Royal Bank of Canada

Anusha Shanmugarajah
Director, Growth Technology, Shopify

Michael Wells, MBA
Director of Human Resources, Holland Christian Homes Inc.

YMCA Staff Leadership

Kyle Barber
President & CEO

Kathy Robinson (Retired)
Vice President, Finance,
Risk Management & IT

Cathyann White
Vice President, Operational Development & Program Growth

Alison Williams
Vice President, Human Resources

Lorraine Pettinato
Vice President, Child Care

Licensed Child Care

As an established child care provider, the YMCA welcomed the Ontario government’s decision to participate in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system. We view this as a significant measure toward fulfilling the promise of supporting families across Oakville and the province. The CWELCC system provides families with more options for affordable, high-quality child care, which can help parents participate in the workforce and give their children a strong foundation for future success.

In 2022 the YMCA of Oakville extended our licensed child care services to include full day kindergarten care during the summer months. This extension provided families with year-round access to reliable, high quality child care throughout the year, which supported parents to maintain consistent work schedules while providing children with a stable and nurturing environment.

3197

Children
Received Care

346

Early Childhood
Educators Employed

1

Child Care Centre
Was Re-opened

Providing a strong foundation for learning in a safe environment.

The YMCA Child Care Waterford was re-opened in 2022 following an extended closure during the pandemic and has quickly become a beloved institution within the local community. This intergenerational facility is located within the Waterford Long Term Care facility and offers a nurturing and stimulating environment for children, providing them with a safe space to grow, learn, and thrive. With its traditional design the YMCA Child Care Waterford promotes a holistic approach to child development, focusing on physical, cognitive, and social-emotional growth. The dedicated staff members, trained in early childhood education, create engaging and age-appropriate activities that foster curiosity and encourage exploration. The YMCA Child Care Waterford is a testament to the YMCA’s commitment to nurturing the potential of every child and supporting families in the community.

Health, Fitness and Aquatics

In 2022, the Health, Fitness, and Aquatics Team at the YMCA worked hard to provide exceptional service to members. By welcoming new members and focusing on community outreach and engagement, the Y has fostered a vibrant and diverse community of individuals and families. We are also piloting new programs for people of all ages and abilities, including specialized training programs and assistance for those in need.

3,100

HFA Members as of Dec

6,474

Members/Participants Served in 2022 at PGFY

907

People Helped with Financial Assistance in 2022

609

HFA Assisted Members

$132,444

Subsidy Provided by Y to HFA Members

570

Sessional Members

969

Swim Lesson Members

In 2022 we stepped forward into some fresh new programs!

New and expanded sports and recreations options including leagues and our new PhysioAid program.

In 2022, the YMCA of Oakville introduced the PhysioAID Program, which optimizes joint health through personalized sessions led by certified Trainers. It caters to individuals with joint injuries or chronic pain, regardless of whether they are already working with a healthcare practitioner. The program combines rehabilitation and prehabilitation methods to address pain, restore functionality, and prevent injuries. With a focus on timely assistance and injury prevention, our goal is to ensure optimal physical health for all.

In 2022, the YMCA of Oakville introduced a range of exciting sports opportunities for youth with the addition of leagues and new tournaments. Members and non-members now have the chance to participate in basketball and pickleball leagues, providing them with engaging and competitive experiences. The YMCA also offers volleyball leagues and exciting 3 vs 3 basketball tournaments, fostering teamwork, skill development, and friendly competition. These newly created sports programs aim to provide a platform for young athletes to thrive, enjoy their favorite sports, and cultivate a passion for active and healthy lifestyles.

Human Resources

Like many organizations, since the pandemic our YMCA is facing unprecedented labour shortages. The post pandemic journey has required a more deliberate focus on our efforts to be an employer of choice stepping up and adopting new and creative ways to attract skilled and diverse talent. This has included hosting job fairs remotely and outdoors, staying at a distance while encouraging others to come close.

Staff shortages have also meant our hard-working team have often had to step in and step-up to cover gaps and absences ensuring we continue to provide high quality programs and avoid disruption to our services in our community.

Each year a highlight for our team is our Employee Recognition Event, which is one way we celebrate the retention of our valuable staff members, their engagement in our mission and the impact they make every day in the lives of so many others, is the cornerstone of our organization.

This year we proudly celebrated this commitment, loyalty and dedicated service with many staff celebrating more than 25 years with the YMCA of Oakville.

Camp

In 2022, the Summer Camp delivered a range of exciting and enriching experiences for children. With a wide variety of camps available, there was something for everyone and for children of all ages; from sports and games to educational activities, outdoor exercise, sports, technology and artistic pursuits, we kept kids busy and active all summer long.

Whatever your child is interested in, the Y has a camp experience to inspire, teach and entertain.

3,307

Camper Weeks

22

Assisted Families

27

Total Volunteers

2,148

Total Volunteer
Hours Combined

Community

Listening, Learning, Leading

In 2022 thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the YMCA of Oakville in partnership with Sheridan College launched a one-year Community Consultation Study. Through consultation and engagement with 2 separate resident Community Advisory Committees, this study aims to identify the three most critical community health concerns which have been exacerbated by the pandemic; and to develop relevant program interventions including enhanced appreciation of the barriers to participation. This year, the study and consultation process led to the delivery of 6 community-based events which served a total of 1,416 residents. The full report will be published in June of 2023 and the recommendations within will inform our program planning or 2023 and 2024.  

25

Youth Peace Committee Members

680

Total Volunteer Hours

180

Mobile Sports Participants

3

Events Hosted

3

Mobile Sports Oakville Locations

59

Participants of 2 Family March Break trips

Juliet’s Story

Juliet’s first memory of the YMCA was attending an after-school program in Guyana where she learned life skills and crafts. Juliet suffered an injury that delayed her ability to learn to walk until she was 12 years old. When she went to the YMCA, nobody made fun of her, and the person running the Y helped her learn how to walk again. Later in life, she experienced domestic abuse, but found safety and support at a YMCA shelter for women and children. After completing a course at George Brown College, she worked at the shelter to help other women fleeing abuse. She later started her own home and helped other abused young girls and children.

Juliet is now living in an apartment in Oakville and is part of a committee of people who look out for others in their community. Together, the committee identifies YMCA programs suitable for the residents, such as arts and crafts, yoga, Zumba and summer camps. She also recently organized a ‘Celebration of Nations’ event in her building, which brought the community together, and her goal is to be inclusive and bring people together.

 

To read or listen to more of Juliet’s story and the work of the YMCA’s Community Outreach Team please visit our website. We would also love to hear from you about what the YMCA of Oakville means to you. Please reach out to Sarah for an informal chat at 905-510-2218 or [email protected]

Philanthropy

Philanthropy lies at the heart of our YMCA. The financial support from donors is used to fund our financial assistance program, ensuring that nobody is denied access to a YMCA program or service due to an inability to pay, and to fund selected free programs for the community. In 2022, this included the restart of our Halton Sport Leadership Program (HSLP), Together as Girls, and a range of community events organized by our Youth Peace Committee. All of these initiatives inspired leadership and reconnected our community. The YMCA also forged a new partnership with Act of Allyship to continue our learning around ways our organization and individuals can collaborate to create positive change. We launched our Fill the Bus and Fill the Pool campaigns, which raised funds to empower and enable children and youth to attend summer camp, learn to swim, and become a lifeguard or swim instructor. Our child care staff and children raised funds and awareness of our charitable work through our Annual Megathon Event, bringing together children and families from across the region to share stories of YMCA impact and raise money. Our YMCA continues to engage staff, volunteers, and members of our community in our mission to connect people and build health and well-being for the community.

Y Mind

Y Mind is an evidence-based mental health program created by the YMCA of Vancouver. The seven-week program is designed to assist individuals who suffer from mild to moderate anxiety, providing them with a supportive and safe environment to learn coping strategies. Participants aged between 18 and 30 years old can attend the program free of charge. The program teaches techniques for mindfulness and self-compassion and is facilitated by trained mental health professionals. It offers a valuable opportunity for individuals to connect with others who share similar experiences in a small group setting. The Y Mind program is a valuable resource for those who are struggling with anxiety and seeking ways to manage their symptoms and improve their mental health.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT

ymcaofoakville.org/programs/mental-wellness/

Financials

Statement of Financial Position
Year Ended December 31, 2022

*Certain comparative figures presented have been reclassified to conform with the current year’s presentation. The summarized financial information is extracted from Annual Financial Statements audited by BDO Canada LLP, Licensed Public Accountants. A copy of the complete financial statement is available online at www.ymcaofoakville.org. Requests for a copy can be made by email to [email protected], by phone at 905-845-3417 or by written request to YMCA of Oakville, 410 Rebecca Street, Oakville, Ontario L6K 1K7.

Financials

Statement of Revenue and Expenses
Year Ended December 31, 2022

*Certain comparative figures presented have been reclassified to conform with the current year’s presentation. The summarized financial information is extracted from Annual Financial Statements audited by BDO Canada LLP, Licensed Public Accountants. A copy of the complete financial statement is available online at www.ymcaofoakville.org. Requests for a copy can be made by email to [email protected], by phone at 905-845-3417 or by written request to YMCA of Oakville, 410 Rebecca Street, Oakville, Ontario L6K 1K7.