The YMCA has always been part of my life. Growing up my grandfather was a huge YMCA advocate and once told me “if you’re not going to further your education you must work for the YMCA”. As I got older and finished my post-secondary education I received the opportunity to work for the YMCA in Amherst NS. That is where I fell in love with the YMCA values and culture. As my contract came to an end and with no available positions I made the decision to leave the YMCA and peruse something different; however this change made me missed the YMCA thoroughly.

In September of 2011 I decided to move to Barrie Ontario to be closer to my boyfriend who had been working from Barrie for quite some time. This move meant leaving my entire family on the East Coast. When I got here I was lost with no immediate family, no job and with a boyfriend who worked away; I did the only thing I knew…contact the local YMCA. I was given the opportunity to volunteer and in March of 2012 I was offered the position – Coordinator of Child, Youth & Aquatics and I couldn’t have been more grateful.

Working for the YMCA has made it so much easier to be away from my family. I work alongside amazing individuals who are all hear for the same reason as I – Enrich all the lives who walk through our doors each and every day as well as smile.

Thank you to the staff, volunteers and members of the Barrie YMCA who have made this this community my home away from home.

MyY would not be the same without you.