YMCA of Oakville. YMCA of Oakville. YMCA of Oakville. YMCA of Oakville. YMCA of Oakville. YMCA of Oakville

Transcription

1 e Bus h t l l i F Send a Kid to C I Sent a Kid to C! I Sent a Kid to C! I Sent a Kid to C! I Sent a Kid to C! I Sent a Kid to C!

2 Ride for YMCA Strong Kids 5 of 5 At summer c kids are active, get the chance to increase their self-confidence and develop an appreciation for the natural world. It s a place where kids can explore, meet new friends, learn new skills and make memories that last a lifetime. But not every family can afford to send their kids to c. Through generous contributions to our YMCA Strong Kids caign, you can help subsidize the cost for these families, ensuring that all kids can experience the wonder of summer c. 222 reasons to give. Last year, 222 deserving children in the community got the chance to go to summer c thanks to the generous support of donors like you. By donating to our Ride for YMCA Strong Kids event taking place on Wednesday, August 14, you can help us reach our goal to raise $15,000 and give even more deserving kids the summer of their lives. Many of us who were fortunate enough to go to summer c often reflect back on this early experience as one that shaped us into who we are today. For kids like Bill, summer c has the potential to change lives Many years ago, Bill learned how to swim and paddle a canoe at c. These skills proved invaluable. As somebody who comes from a poor background, you automatically feel inferior to your peers, he says. By teaching you to be good at something, it makes a huge difference. Learning to swim gave me an opportunity to fit into the mainstream. I had the feeling that I was okay because I could do something well. At the YMCA, the difference we are making in kids lives, well it s not just about a week at summer c. It s about opening up a whole new world of opportunity for kids, giving them the confidence to believe in themselves and their future -- regardless of what they have today. Please, give generously and help us give every kid a chance.

3 August 14, 2013 Team Biker Chicks Team It Just Doesn t Matter (featuring members of our Board of Directors dressed as the characters from the Meatballs movie) 410 Rebecca Street, ON L6K 1K7 Tel: Fax: ymcaofoakville.com Charitable Registration # RR0001

4 Personal fundraising webpage featuring the video

5 Sponsor Solicitation Package 4 of 5 The is a leading charity with deep roots in our community. For more than 50 years we have been dedicated to strengthening s people in spirit, mind and body. Our programs and services are designed to meet the needs of everyone in our community, but we have a special focus on children, teens and young adults because we believe that when we help young people grow up healthy, our entire community becomes stronger. Your YMCA is a recognized leader in child and youth programming that promotes health; builds selfesteem, character and values; and gives children the tools to help them reach their full potential. is changing and so is childhood. Our town is beginning to experience rapid growth and demographic change. In the last decade, the overall poverty rate in our community has risen by more than 22%. Today, more than 5,000 young people (1 in 9) in lives in poverty. Their families can t afford to give them the things that other kids have. These kids are vulnerable to problems like bullying, low self-esteem, risky behaviour, drug use and even suicide. They don t have the same access to experiences that can help them grow up happy, healthy and confident. The need is growing More people than ever before in our community are requesting financial assistance from the YMCA because they can t afford the costs to participate in healthy, active living programs. We see this trend increasing. The need is significantly greater than the funds currently being raised through the YMCA Strong Kids caign. Last year, we raised only 1/4 of the annual cost ($706,890) to provide financial assistance to those who turned to us for help. a community characterized by caring, proud, passionate people who are dedicated to ensuring the best for those who live here. Together, we can make a difference. We must meet the demand created by the growth of our community and rise to the new challenges facing our children. Stronger, more confident kids, build stronger, healthier communities.

6 At your YMCA, we believe that everyone, regardless of their financial circumstance, deserves the chance to benefit from a YMCA experience. Each day people rely on us for support. They are single parent families, families with low-incomes or those that have fallen on hard times and require transitional support due to illness, crisis or loss of employment. Donors to the YMCA Strong Kids caign give them hope and health at a time when they need it most by providing them with financial assistance to subsidize the costs to participate in YMCA programs that help kids grow up stronger, healthier. Programs like Summer C A lifetime of impact Summer c is one of the most impactful experiences a child can have. C remains one of the few places where kids can just be kids. Where they can have positive, fun experiences without the interruption of today s modern technology, explore the natural world, and make lasting friendships. At summer c, kids learn valuable life and leadership skills that strengthen their confidence and build character. These are the things that they carry with them for the rest of their lives. Date: Description: Goal: Outcome: Thursday, June 20, :00 11:30 pm is an annual fundraising event lead by the s volunteer Board of Directors. We want to create awareness and raise funds to send deserving kids, from families that can t afford it, to summer c. Together, we will open the doors to a world of possibility for kids in need; giving them what they really need to grow up stronger and healthier - a place to belong, connections that are genuine and real, the skills and confidence to be resilient and courageous, and the support they need to reach their full potential. For more information about the YMCA Strong Kids caign contact: Heather Anderson Manager, Financial Development 410 Rebecca Street, ON L6K 12K7 T: x. 317 E: heatheran@oakville.ymca.ca Charitable Registration No RR0001

7 Everyone knows the saying it takes a village to raise a child. That s how I describe the YMCA. They re my village. Almost seven years ago, we received terrible news. Chris was at YMCA summer c and his sister, Sydney was in YMCA childcare, when their father, Gary, was diagnosed with cancer. He died just a few months later. It was such a difficult time, but I know our journey would have been so much rockier without the support of the YMCA. Christopher has been fortunate to have had the YMCA counselors as positive role models in his life. I m not even sure the c counselors fully understand the tremendous impact they have on the younger kids. It s so powerful! It really is a strong testament to all the people involved with the YMCA and the bonds they help create. Now at almost 15, I m starting to see Chris evolve as a role model for others. Last summer during Counselor in Training c, he chose to mentor a special needs child. I think this likely came from a place that recognizes that we all have challenges to face, but Chris explained it in his own way. He said that everyone deserves the best possible c experience and he wanted to help create that experience for this particular child. I was so proud when I heard that. I could tell that Chris was starting to see himself differently. Just as the c counselors have influenced him for so many years, he is now seeing himself through the eyes of the younger kids, as a leader and a role model. The c counselors had also told him they were proud of him, and I think that meant more than anything. These are very influential moments in a child s life. Chris s experience at the YMCA has helped to shape him into the person he wants to be. He really feels a part of something at, and now he s making a difference for others. Jeanette

8 Mandate 3 of 5 The Challenge Last year, 1,902 people in turned to us for help. They were single parent families, families with low-incomes or families that had fallen on hard times and needed transitional support due to illness, crisis or loss of employment. These families and many more can t afford to give their children the opportunities that other kids have; experiences that can help them grow up happy, healthy and confident. These kids are vulnerable to problems like bullying, low self-esteem, risky behaviours, drug use and suicide. The Solution We believe that every child, no matter their financial circumstances, deserves the chance to reach their full potential. Our generous donors help subsidize the costs for families in need so their kids can benefit from positive YMCA experiences like summer c. At summer c kids get the chance to connect, develop an appreciation for the natural world, form friendships that are real, in-person and genuine, learn valuable life and leadership skills and create memories that last a lifetime. At your YMCA, kids in need are finding the courage to believe in themselves - to reach for their dreams, to have a second chance, to form new friendships and gain the confidence to change their lives. By supporting our event, you can give kids in need a reason to believe that they can achieve anything they want from their lives, regardless of what they have today. Become an event sponsor Donate an auction prize June 20, 2013 Make a donation. Just $200 can send a kid to c for a week. A week that can change a child s life. Stronger, more confident kids, build stronger, healthier communities. Charitable Registration No RR0001