| Share the Y Experience |
| Members of the Chaplin and A.R. Kaufman Family YMCAs have an extra incentive to bring guests along with them to share their YMCA experience. If one of the guests becomes a member between July 20 and August 31, we'll thank the member who brought the guest by giving them a YMCA workout towel.
This promotion highlights members ability to bring one or two guests with them. Each guest can come up to three times for free. Members can share the Y experience with an unlimited number of guests. You can bring a guest any time you come.
So introduce a friend or family member to the Y experience the next time you come! If you aren't a member, come with a friend or family member--or come in for a tour. |
| YMCA Outdoor Centre to add straw bale structures |
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| YMCA of Cambridge launches Cultural Diversity Ambassadors |
 On July 2, the YMCA of Cambridge's Cultural Diversity department launched the Ambassadors Project. The purpose of the ambassadors project is to reach out to various cultural groups across Cambridge who may not be accessing community services and give them the information and tools they need to do so. By making these connections in a variety of languages with a variety of individuals and groups, we are building a more inclusive Cambridge.
Funding from the City of Cambridge also made this project possible. |
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$1.2 Million from Federal and Provincial governments to refurbish and expand the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA |
You may have heard about this grant. News stories featured the 6,000 square foot addition and its possible use to give people with serious illnesses one-on-one help to improve their health. A second story addition has been planned since before 2004. With this announcement, we have accelerated our process for determining the best ways to make use of this space.
Most of the funds announced are going towards upgrades and refurbishments such as adding an elevator and repaving the parking lot.
"We greatly appreciate the federal and provincial funding," said John Haddock, CEO of the YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo. "We try to keep our facilities like-new and this grant helps the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA to do so sooner than planned. The money allows for increased safety, accessibility, comfort and space for those who are pursuing better health for years to come."
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| Challenge your child to dream and achieve at a YMCA Camp |
New this year for the YMCA of Cambridge is a day camp at Shade's Mill Conservation Area called Discover Y. Read Cambridge's day camp booklet to learn more.
Kids living on the west side of Waterloo can attend a Y day camp in their neighbourhood at the YMCA's site on Erbsville Road.
Try an overnight camp!
Help your kids connect with nature or explore their love of BMX biking or sailing at YMCA Camp Belwood. A selection of weeks is available--but they'll go quickly so act today.
Read this blog entry to see the lifelong impact made by going to camp. |
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Watch the TV commercial for the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign |
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| 50 Ways to help your whole FAMILY Thrive |
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6. Turn off the TV.
7. Ask for help when you need it.
8. Trust your instincts.
9. Meet your children's friends--and their friends' parents.
10. Accept that you don't have to be perfect--just be real. |
| A Special Thank You! |
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Gifts of $5,000 to the KW YMCA's major fundraising campaign were made recently by Gore Insurance Company Foundation and Intact Foundation (connected to the Intact Financial Corporation). Both gifts were in co-operation with Erb & Erb Insurance Brokers. We greatly appreciate the support of these companies in our efforts to build a healthy community. |
| FIT TIP: Early Injury Management - R.I.C.E. |
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by Dave Patterson, BSc (Kin), MTS
A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA Volunteer
Many of us are lacing up again and head outside for fresh air activities. But the risk of sprains or strains is heightened when newly engaging in activities. In the unfortunate event of an injury, remember R.I.C.E.
 R stands for rest. That does not imply becoming a couch potato, rather taking enough ease to allow an injury to heal.
- I is for ice, which when applied for several bouts immediately after inflammation onset, reduces healing time considerably.
- C means compression. Apply a firm tensor or other wrap to give support and stability and to reduce swelling, but not so tight that the wrap feels like a tourniquet.
- And E means elevation. For injuries to the distal limbs (like hands and feet), raising the ailing part helps to reduce swelling and painful throbbing.
Stay active and be careful! Learn more from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
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| Our YMCA story: Linda Brown & Abbie Gateman |
 Linda and Abbie met as Big Sister/Little Sister and are now co-workers at the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA. Learn how Linda played a role in Abbie's growth into a successful young adult. Read their stories.
What's Your Story?
Tell us how the YMCA has made an impact upon your life or on someone close to you. Use our fillable PDF form or send us an e-mail to ymcastories@ckwymca.ca. We would love to share your story with people interested in the benefits of making the YMCA a part of your life. |
| YMCA Host Older Adult Program goes to the symphony |
As part of the YMCA Host Older Adult program, participants go out into the community and introduce newcomers to different partners and organizations as a group event so they will feel more comfortable and confident when going out to these same places in the future on their own. They always have a great time together and it's wonderful to see their faces and hear their responses to the friendly welcomes received from the excellent organizations that we visit in our community. |
| Volunteers Needed |
- The YMCA of Cambridge is running Bingos in August on Saturdays from 12:05 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. We can use all the help we can get! If interested contact Wendy - wdwornikiewicz@ckwymca.ca .
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