Fall 2016

#YWeAreHere

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Manny's Story"I grew up in North Hamilton - it wasn't the same place then that it is today," says Manny Ferreira, chef and owner of Hamilton's Mezcal TNT. As a young child, living under the roof of an abusive father, Manny's self-esteem suffered. "I didn't feel like I had any value," he reflects. Although a strong student, he carried his insecurities to school. School became the place where he could hang out with friends outside of rigid house rules.

At home his brother became his best friend, bonded together by the confines of their father's drinking. At 18, when his brother left home, his entire life changed. "Something inside me snapped," he says. Manny began drinking heavily and using drugs - they turned off his insecurities. He could be a different person. "I'd always wanted to be part of the cool crowd, so I was doing what I needed to get there," says Manny, "but when you use drugs, you can't see clearly, can't rationalize. These weren't my friends." Then he too left home.

After three years of binging, Manny had exhausted all of his options. He didn't have a job, money or a place to sleep. He was homeless. "I was depressed. I had been grabbing at something that wasn't there. I had overdosed so many times - I should have been dead." Life was a struggle with no supports.

Eventually, a phone call to Good Shepherd, got him off the streets and placed in the last bed at Notre Dame House, a home for street-involved youth. Now nearing 21, he was the oldest person there. His counsellor was a former peer at school. The disparities in their life paths were apparent. It was a humbling experience.ymcahbb.ca

The next best thing to home.YMCA Preschool Child CareSpace for your child available now.

A Weemarkable Window Into Your Child's Day

Today's families are busier than ever. Between child drop offs, work, pick-ups, meal prep, and activities, you don't always have time to speak with your child's educators and learn about your child's day.

We're making it easier for our YMCA Preschool Child Care families to connect to the small moments and big milestones of their child's day, through our new YMCA app - WeemarkableTM.

Launching this Fall, WeemarkableTM will give YMCA child care families secure access to important child care notices, photos, milestones, educator observations, menu information and direct to educator messaging with just a tap on their mobile devices.

We know how special this time of life is, so even when you can't be with them, it's Weemarkable how connected you'll be.

For more information visit Weemarkable.ca

Sowing SeedsIn the Spring, inner city children from YMCA Beyond the Bell visit Earth to Table: The Farm to plant seeds. In the Fall, they return to harvest the vegetables and make pizza.

The field trip provides a tangible learning experience that builds upon the health and nutrition component of the program while also giving these inner city children the opportunity to fully experience the land and environment that surrounds them.

Squash Player Who Defied the Taliban to Speak at YMCA Peace Medal Breakfast

Aquatic Progress Reports

Every child receives a quarterly aquatic progress report highlighting their skills. Visit YMCASwimReport.ca to download your child's report. Have their membership card number ready. Next report will be available in December.

Construction of the Laurier Brantford YMCA Now UnderwayConstruction of the Laurier Brantford YMCA is underway on the south side of Colborne Street. In July, crews began pouring the foundation which will continue throughout the Fall. Construction of the 118,000 square foot facility will be complete in 2018.

Launching This Fall - PICKLEBALLLooking for a new challenge? Join us for Pickleball, a paddle sport which combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis, using a wiffle ball.All levels are welcome! Pickleball is low impact, low risk and free to members. Equipment is provided.

Pickleball is offered at Flamborough Family YMCA and Ron Edwards Family YMCA.

Check out YMCAHBB.CA for days and times.

Maria Toorpakai Wazir is a professional squash player, currently ranked as Pakistan's top female player and 48th in the world. As a child growing up in a highly conservative tribal area of Pakistan where girls' involvement in sport was forbidden by the local Islamic culture, Toorpakai trained and competed as a boy in Peshawar.

Today she resides and trains in Toronto, under former professional squash player Jonathon Power and we are proud to welcome her as this year's YMCA Peace Medal Breakfast Keynote Speaker.

Each year, the YMCA honours individuals or groups who have made a significant contribution to fostering a culture of peace in our community, by awarding them the YMCA Peace Medal at our Annual Breakfast, presented by the Farah Family Foundation and Hasty Markets.

29th Annual YMCA Peace Medal BreakfastWednesday, November 30, 2016 7:30 - 10:00am Hamilton Convention Centre, by Carmen's

Maria Toorpakai's recently published book, Different Kind of Daughter: The Girl Who Hid from the Taliban in Plain Sight, will be available for sale at the event.

Tickets cost $40 and can be ordered at YMCAPeaceMedal.ca or contacting Susy Comegna at 905-681-1140 or susy_comegna@ymca.ca

Refresh My YReady to refresh your workout? There are some big changes coming to the Les Chater Family YMCA. We're bringing in all new Cybex strength and cardio equipment to refresh the Fitness Centre and your YMCA experience. Featuring the Cybex GO entertainment and exercise tracking platform, the new cardio equipment will keep your workouts fresh and connected.

Equipment will be installed in two phases:

Phase 1: Strength Equipment Installation - October 6 - 7, 2016 Open to Members - October 8, 2016

Phase 2: Cardio Equipment Installation - December 27 - 29, 2016 Open to Members - December 30, 2016

During these times, the YMCA will remain open with a reduced program schedule. The Fitness Centre will be closed. For schedules during Refresh My Y, please visit YMCAHBB.CA or download our app for your Apple or Android device.

#YStaffCaresThe YMCA staff team are an extraordinary group, showing true commitment to our work. You may be surprised to learn that nearly 60% of staff also support our mission financially through the

YMCA Strong Kids Campaign.

For many, it's personal. They see first-hand the difference YMCA involvement makes in children’s lives and they want to ensure other kids have equal opportunities. Leading the campaign effort is the Y Staff Cares Committee.

This group of staff volunteers from across the YMCA lead our staff giving campaigns, which also includes the local United Way campaign. More than a quarter choose to donate and support the United Way each year. Our sincere thanks to the Y Staff Cares Committee and our very generous staff.

Congrats to Retro Running World ChampionCongratulations to YMCA Health and Wellness Supervisor, Kat Clewley, on running backwards into 4 World Championship medals at the Retro Running World Championship in Essen, Germany in July. Kat is the new World Champion of the 800m, 5K, 10K and Half Marathon races. "I'm grateful! As someone who embraces life in the moment, I fell across this sport while out for a run with my dog. Our bodies are made to move in all different directions," says Kat. Kat Clewley

Apply online at:ymcahbb.ca/careers

For a full list of job postings, visit ymcahbb.caArrangements for the appearance of Maria Toorpakai Wazir made through Hachette Speakers Bureau, New York, NY.

Charitable MissionThe YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford is a charitable organization helping people achieve personal growth in spirit, mind and body through participation and service to the community.

VisionCreating healthy communities in which individuals and families have opportunities to reach their potential.

Our CommitmentWe are committed to strengthening the foundations of community: nurturing the potential of children, teens and adults; promoting healthy living; fostering social responsibility; and delivering lasting personal and social change.

#YWeAreHere is a quarterly publication produced by the YMCA Marketing & Communications Department. We welcome your questions, suggestions and story ideas. Please contact:

YMCA Communications79 James Street SouthHamilton, Ontario, L8P 2Z1 | P: 905.317.4941ymcahbb_comms@ymca.ca

Follow us onymcahbb.ca

Charitable Registration # 10808 3825 RR0001

To watch Manny's Story on video, visit YMCAHBB.CA

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YMCA EMPLOYMENT SERVICESYtoWork.ca

Manny's Story continued Life started changing. He was welcomed into a church congregation; he rented a room of his own in the city's East end; and his uncle helped him find work doing odd jobs. " wanted more," says Manny. "I knew this wasn't a career. I knew I had more talent."

One day, walking past YMCA Employment Services, a poster for young people facing barriers to employment, caught his attention. The employment counsellor got to know him; looked at potential areas of skill and interest; and helped develop a resume that highlighted his strengths. Everything indicated he should try cooking. "I had zero experience but they didn't see that as a problem," he reflects. His counsellor set up a job interview for an entry-level kitchen position at a local restaurant and even accompanied him to the interview.

Manny got his first real job that day.

It wasn't long before Manny developed a passion for his work. He knew culinary school was unaffordable for him but he learned that there was a lot of knowledge to be gained working with chefs at a variety of restaurants.

His biggest career influence came working under Jeff Crump, Executive Chef of the Ancaster Mill. It was an important opportunity to work under a chef of this caliber.

But Manny started struggling with drinking and drugs again. After several days of missed work, he had to be let go.

"Then I had my son and everything came into perspective. I have a reason to succeed," says Manny proudly. "I made my mind up that I'm going to do my best. I'm not only going to be a chef but also a restaurant owner."

Armed with a new resolve, he contacted Jeff and asked for an opportunity to apprentice. Jeff accepted. Manny worked hard and took everything he was taught to heart. When the opportunity arose, Jeff offered Manny the position of Head Chef at his new restaurant Earth to Table: Bread Bar. "I was elated. He trusted me. I had failed him more than once and he had every reason not to believe in me but he did."

In 2014, Manny was featured on the Food Network's competitive culinary show, Chopped Canada, and won. The show came at the right time.

With his success on Chopped Canada, Manny opened Mezcal TNT on Hamilton's James Street South. The taco and tequila restaurant has taken off - big time, and soon he'll open his second restaurant downstairs. For Manny, cooking nurtures a side of him he has had all his life - the need to entertain. "I live for the experience where someone tries something, and they smile. It can change someone's day."

"I am still my own worst critic," says Manny. "But my son is my biggest motivation - I want him to look back one day and say he's proud of me."

"For a person in my position, without that help from the YMCA and the incentive they provide to employers, I wouldn't have gotten that first job. I was able to tap into this career path because of the YMCA. And they didn't just leave me there. They followed up and made sure I was ok. There are opportunities out there for youth and the YMCA provides them. In our city there is no reason why somebody should struggle- they helped me become a business owner in the city I once used as a playground."

Today Manny gives back by giving other youth opportunities to get the experience they need by working in his kitchen, through the Summer Jobs for Youth program offered through the YMCA.