Y’s ‘Strong Kids’ campaign to raise $80,000

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on February 9th, 2010.

The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:

Next Monday, the Saint John YMCA-YWCA will join its Y counterparts across Canada to kick off the 2010 Strong Kids campaign.

More than 50 YMCAs across Canada participate in the Strong Kids campaign, which is focused on raising funds to support children, teens and families who can’t afford the full costs associated with participating in Y programs or activities.

At the local level, the Saint John Y’s goal is to raise $80,000. Money raised in Saint John will stay in the city and provide financial assistance for children and youths who want to participate in a Y program. The majority of funds raised will be used for “camperships,” which send kids to residential and day camps, membership sponsorships, youth leadership programs, child care support as well as health and wellness sponsorship programs.

The theme for this year’s campaign launch is “Kids Helping Kids,” with walkathons scheduled for six Y locations in Saint John to raise awareness for the campaign and teach those already enrolled in Y programs what it means to help those less fortunate, linking to the Y’s focus on community support and development.

“Each Y is undertaking its own activity to mark the occasion, so we came up with the idea of the walkathon,” says Shilo Boucher, chief operating officer at the Saint John Y.

“It’s a great way for our program participants, children, parents, members and staff to get involved, learn more about Strong Kids, and understand how the funds are used and how important they are to the Y and our community,” Boucher said.

“It’s very powerful as we have over 70 students who come to the Y’s Broadview location every day, many of whom are members themselves, or have children in child care. So it will be an opportunity for these the students to have an impact on their community.”

The Strong Kids campaign also offers an opportunity for people to be a part of the Y beyond making a donation; people are also encouraged to generate support by sharing their “Y story” online, or volunteering at one of the 13 Y locations in Greater Saint John.

“As a charity, we rely heavily on volunteer time and expertise,” Boucher said. “In 2009 we had over 278 active volunteers contributing over 6,500 hours of service.”

Supporting the Strong Kids campaign in Saint John will allow our local Y to continue to maintain a strong presence in the city, in terms of both the programs it offers and the fact that many are offered at multiple locations in the city.

Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtpr.ca.

Visit the Saint John Y’s website for more details!