Put a hand up to move forward
From fitness to child care, the Y offers the support needed to change people’s lives
Lyndsey Townsend was struggling. The single mother of then 4-year-old Justin had lost her job with Toronto Community Housing and had recently moved from a women’s shelter in Toronto to a basement apartment in Brampton.
“I just felt so isolated,” says Townsend, 35. On top of that, her weight had hit 300 pounds. “I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t keep up with my son.”
That changed one morning at a local park when another mother asked if Townsend knew about the nearby YMCA preschool program. Townsend investigated and found out that even with her low income, she would be able to access YMCA services for her son and for herself thanks to the organization’s financial assistance program.
Based on a family’s finances, the YMCA offers subsidies to allow people who couldn’t otherwise afford to use the organization’s child care, education, fitness and other services. In 2013-14 alone, the YMCA provided more than $6 million in financial assistance.
For Townsend, it was a life-changer. While Justin was in preschool, Townsend took up exercise classes. With support and coaching from her trainer, she lost 80 pounds in one year — and she gained confidence and friendships.
“I still have another 40 or 50 pounds to lose,” she says.
“It’s all about lifestyle change and continuation. I’ve met great new people and I’m more involved and active with my boy. I would encourage anyone in my same position to go to the Y.”
Melissa Morant would agree. The 24year-old was unable to find work after completing her studies to become a paralegal.
“I was getting panicked,” says Morant. “I was hearing from other grads, too, that they were having a hard time finding employment.”
Then a friend suggested they visit the YMCA to check out their employment services — and Morant hasn’t looked back.
“They helped me put together my resumé and sent me opportunities that were out there,” she says.
“Other agencies don’t really help you. At the Y, someone sat with me and actually helped me through. They’d send me emails with job opportunities. I felt spoiled.”
It wasn’t long before Morant found fulltime work as a legal assistant with Elaine Gordon Law — a position for which she credits the YMCA. “I had no experience,” she says. “They basically go in and do that first interview for you — they get you in the door — then it was up to me to impress them and do a good job.
“I would send anyone looking for work to the Y.”
Toronto’s Liz Forsberg would also encourage people to look to the Y. The mother of Elias, 10, Freya, 6, and Linnaea, 4, has used a variety of YMCA services for years.
“Before having kids, I was a member of the West End YMCA,” she says. Her membership fee was offset by the organization’s health and fitness subsidy.
Forsberg, who was a front-line worker at a women’s shelter, says the membership was essential to her mental and physical health.
When Elias was 18 months old, YMCA’s daycare services allowed Forsberg to go back to school to complete her masters in environmental education at York University.
That achievement meant that Forsberg could start a new career at Art Starts, an organization that brings artists and residents together to create community-building art projects.
These days, Forsberg still uses the YMCA — for her children’s before-and-after school care, to play in the gym, attend summer camp, and more — but she credits the YMCA for helping her get the educational edge she needed to do work that fulfils her.
“If I hadn’t been able to go back to school,
“If I hadn’t been able to go back to school, I wouldn’t have been able to contribute the way that I am now.” LIZ FORSBERG YMCA MEMBER
I wouldn’t have been able to contribute the way that I am now,” she says.
“The Y has been such an important support system and scaffolding for my partner and I to be able to raise our family.”
Such feelings of gratitude are common among those whose lives have been given a hand up from the 160-year-old organization. And many, such as Townsend, are inspired to give back.
“I now participate as a volunteer for barbecues,” she says.
“I feel encouraged to give back and I want to share my story to help others too. The Y is more than just the Y — it’s family.”