YMCA Peace Week (November 14-21, 2020)
We cannot expect to live in a world of peace if we are unable to live in peace with those close to us – even those who differ from us….
Resilience of the Human Spirit
YMCA Peace Week is a time when we celebrate the presence of peace in our communities and reflect on the peace-building work that happens all year both inside and outside the YMCA.
The YMCA believes peace is more than the absence of violence and conflict. Peace is the ongoing work of building and rebuilding conditions of fairness, inclusion, empathy, security, and respect for diversity. When Canadians embody the values of PEACE through our daily actions, we can build a better Canada.
YMCA Peace Week calls people to: Build Communities. Act for Peace.
When we act for peace, together we build stronger and healthier communities.
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Act for Peace
Peace is an active state of being, not a passive one.
Acts for peace can be big or small. Either way they tend to grow outward, creating ripples through the whole community. An act for peace may affect only one person directly—but it may show many more people what’s possible.
Peacemakers challenge and inspire others to pursue acts for peace.
Anyone and everyone can be a peacemaker. Join the movement and #actforpeace.

Youth Peace Forum
Saturday, November 21, 2020 | 5:30pm – 8:00pm
ZOOM meeting | Pre-register online here.
The Youth Peace Forum is an event for Youth led by Youth! Its an opportunity for young people in our community to learn from each other and engage with their peers on topics related to our 2020 Peace Week theme “Resilience of the human spirit”.
This event will include interactive games, a panel discussion where they have the opportunity to talk to local community experts and then youth-led discussion groups on topics related to systemic racism, truth and reconciliation, mental health and living through the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an exciting chance for young people to really dig into these big topics and to be inspired to create change in our community.
Peace Week Speaker Series
From the Inside Out: Building Resilience for a Future that’s Anti-Racist
2020 is a year that will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the most challenging times in recent memory. From the global COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of Black Lives Matter, the growing climate crisis, and the sharp rise in environmental and natural disasters, this moment is inviting us to dig deep to ensure we have the strength, innovation, and resilience to face these challenges.
Leveraging resilience that is within each of us, and creating conditions that allow systemic resilience to emerge is more important now than ever before.
Join Leena Sharma Seth, Kale Black, and Anna Kiani on Zoom for this four-part interactive conversation as we use an interdisciplinary and intersectional approach to explore:
- Different definitions and approaches to resilience
- Why is resilient leadership necessary?
- What are the characteristics of resilient systems?
- How can we build individual resilience? Community resilience? Systems resilience?
Registered participants will receive a ZOOM invitation and a link to the recording afterwards.
About the Panel
About Mending the Chasm
At Mending the Chasm, we meet people where they are and take them where they need to go. We specialize in coaching, consulting, strategy development, and inclusion, equity, and anti-racism training.
Virtual Community Breakfast for Peace
Thursday, November 19, 2020
7:30 am – 8:15 am
Zoom Meeting
Resilience of the Human Spirit
This year presented many challenges globally, locally, and individually as we face a pandemic, environmental crisis, and blatant acts of racial injustice. As we face these challenges we reflect on the Resilience of the Human Spirit; our ability to have the strength, learn, adapt and grow to overcome these challenges.
In recognition of the YMCA’s commitment to Act for Peace, YMCA Peace Medals are given to local individuals or groups who are working to strengthen our communities by promoting peaceful solutions to violence, conflict, discrimination, and justice. Through their actions, nominees have had significant impact on the lives of others, either locally or elsewhere in the world. Our YMCA has a long history of presenting this award to deserving individuals.
Join us this year for our Virtual Community Breakfast for Peace, where you can login to the event from home and join us as we present the 2020 YMCA Peace Medals and hear from our Keynote Speaker, Leena Sharma Seth.
To learn more about Ms Seth, please click her profile photo below.
(Pass code to access video: gYHLP+u9)
2020 Peace Medal Recipients
Individuals:
Group:
Peace Week: Other Ways to Get Involved
Our Cause
The YMCA of Oakville is more than a gym and swim, we are a cause! The YMCA does not just strengthen bodies – the YMCA strengthens community.
More than cardio, a healthy and active lifestyle
More than a canoe, a springboard to leadership
More thank aquafit, an opportunity to make friends
More than financial assistance, a springboard to life
More than bricks and mortar, a place of belonging
Together, we move forward…
We are deeply concerned for the immediate well-being of families, children and youth impacted by covid-19 and the long-term repercussions on vulnerable populations.
Prior to March, one in 12 children were living at or below the poverty line in Oakville. We expect that number to increase because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are inviting you to help build a resilient community by donating to the YMCA of Oakville. We have a fundraising goal of $250,000.00.
With your donation, together, we are
- Removing social isolation
- Improving mental health
- Strengthening a sense of belonging
- Improving access to services