YMCA thanks community after departure from Volleyball on the Boardwalk – May 10, 2021 SAINT JOHN, NB – The YMCA of Greater Saint John wants to thank all our participants, partners and community members for the amazing support over the past 26 years for Volleyball on the Boardwalk. The YMCA of Greater Saint John was approached by community volleyball enthusiasts who supported our Y’s Strong Kids fundraising initiative to create a program that would not only engage the community, but also provide more opportunities for community members to participate in programs and services with financial aid. “Friends and volunteers at the YMCA started Volleyball on the Boardwalk to raise funds for the Strong Kids Campaign,” said Shilo Boucher, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Saint John. “The growth over the years, in terms of participation and support, was incredible to see. This program not only kept [...]

YMCA of Greater Saint John Condemns Anti-Asian Racism – April 9, 2021 SAINT JOHN, NB – We are deeply concerned about the rise in anti-Asian racist violence that has occurred in Canada since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.  We are shocked and saddened by the violent events targeting Asian women in their place of work in Georgia last month, and we stand firmly against anti-Asian discrimination and attacks in our communities. Since March 2020, there have been over 1,000 incidents of Anti-Asian hate crimes across Canada, according to data provided by Fight COVID Racism. The YMCA condemns this violence, and we stand with our Asian and Asian-Canadian staff, volunteers, and community members in support. We are committed to confronting, addressing, and dismantling racism in all forms.   We recognize the pain that arises as a result of the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes and violence. We urge all leaders [...]

Y Employer Engagement Event Sparks Crucial Employment Discussions Immediate Release - March 25, 2021 SAINT JOHN, NB – YMCA Newcomer Connections is thrilled to have hosted its first online Employer Engagement Brunch and Forum (EEBF) on March 23. The event, created in a new virtual platform called REMO, provided a new and interactive experience to its attendees. Members of the Y Newcomer Connections team met virtually with more than 60 community stakeholders, including representatives of the business community, parliament, local government, social development organizations, and more, to spark meaningful conversation on challenges faced by newcomers and businesses alike in hiring and retaining workers in the region. Olive Ozoemena, Manager of Newcomer Programming, commenced the morning by recognizing the social and economic issues faced by newcomers and employers. She then went on to give land acknowledgements to the Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet), Passamaquoddy, and Mi’kmaq Peoples before giving her seat to [...]