Peter Gilgan Leadership Award

Bradley Olson has been part of the YMCA of Oakville community for two years, supporting children through his work as a Registered Early Childhood Educator in the Before and After Care program. His connection to the YMCA began much earlier as a child and continued through his Early Childhood Education placements, giving him a strong appreciation for the organization and its commitment to creating welcoming and inclusive spaces for children and families.

Throughout his YMCA journey, Bradley has demonstrated a strong commitment to building trusting relationships with children, supporting their social and emotional development, and creating engaging experiences that foster confidence, curiosity, and a sense of belonging. His personal experiences with the YMCA have also inspired him to give back and create the same positive experiences for the next generation.

Bradley is currently pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Studies at the University of Guelph-Humber. He hopes to continue his education through Teachers College and become an elementary school teacher, creating classrooms where children feel supported, inspired, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Danesh Bharucha has been part of the YMCA of Oakville community for five years, beginning as a Camp Counsellor and growing into leadership roles. Throughout his journey, Danesh has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting campers, staff, and volunteers through positive leadership and mentorship.

Danesh has played an important role in creating welcoming camp environments, supporting staff development, and encouraging young leaders to grow with confidence. His passion for education is reflected in the engaging STEM-based programming he has developed, inspiring campers to explore science and learning in creative ways.

Danesh is currently pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Information Sciences in Cyber Security at Sheridan College. Inspired by his YMCA experiences, he hopes to pursue a career in education where he can combine his passion for technology, science, and youth development to inspire future learners.

Gabriela Pastor has been part of the YMCA of Oakville community for seven years, supporting children and youth through her work as a Camp Counsellor, Child & Youth Instructor, and Sports Instructor. Throughout her YMCA journey, Gabriela has demonstrated a strong commitment to creating meaningful experiences for children while promoting inclusion, confidence, and personal growth.

Beyond her role supporting youth, Gabriela has demonstrated her commitment to strengthening the YMCA community through her involvement in the Cycle Ride for Kids campaign, where she has been recognized as one of the top individual fundraisers for multiple years. Her passion for giving back extends beyond the YMCA, with previous volunteer experiences and leadership opportunities supporting youth in her community.

Gabriela is currently pursuing Early Childhood Education at Sheridan College and aspires to become an educator who creates inclusive and supportive learning environments. Drawing from her own experiences, Gabriela is passionate about empowering children of all abilities and helping them recognize their strengths, overcome challenges, and achieve their goals.

Lorie Amelia Young began her YMCA journey as a placement student during her Early Childhood Education studies and quickly demonstrated a strong passion for supporting children and contributing to the learning environment. Her dedication, initiative, and leadership skills led to opportunities to continue supporting YMCA Child Care programs as a Supply Teacher.

Throughout her time with the YMCA, Lorie has supported children across toddler, preschool, kindergarten, and school-age programs. She has contributed to creating engaging learning experiences, supporting program planning, promoting safety practices, and building positive relationships with children, families, and educators. Her adaptability and commitment to collaboration have allowed her to take on additional leadership responsibilities and support teams across the child care environment.

Lorie is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Child Study and Education at the University of Toronto with the goal of becoming an elementary school teacher. She is passionate about child development, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and hopes to use her experiences to create learning environments where every child feels valued and supported.

Natalie Breslin is a passionate YMCA leader and aspiring educator with over 10 summers of experience at the YMCA of Oakville. Beginning her journey as a Camp Counsellor in 2015, Natalie has grown through several leadership roles, where she has supported campers, families, and staff across multiple programs and locations.

Throughout her YMCA career, Natalie has demonstrated exceptional leadership by mentoring staff, supporting leadership teams, and creating inclusive camp environments where children and youth feel valued and supported. One of her most meaningful contributions has been inspiring the next generation of YMCA leaders, with former campers returning years later and sharing how her guidance influenced their own decision to work at the YMCA.

Natalie is currently pursuing Teacher Education at Brock University with the goal of becoming an elementary school teacher. She hopes to carry forward the YMCA values of leadership, inclusion, and community by creating classrooms where students feel encouraged, supported, and empowered to succeed.