YMCA Newcomer Connections

🍼 Interested in Learning More About Your Toddler’s Nutrition? 🌱 Join Horizon Public Health’s registered dietitians on November 12th from 10am-11am via Zoom for expert guidance, helpful tips, and answers to all your questions about feeding your little one! 🔹 English session on November 12, with French sessions available upon request. 🔹 Open to all parents and caregivers looking to support their toddler's healthy growth and development. Click here to join the session: https://ow.ly/rhuA50U2F1f For more information, reach out to Nutrition.PHSJArea@gnb.ca. Let’s build healthy habits together!

💪🏾✨ "Strength doesn't come from what you can do; it comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn't." ✨ This is the Y story of a courageous single mother who brought her four young children from Sudan to Saint John, hoping to build a new life filled with opportunities. Imagine arriving in a new country, filled with dreams but facing overwhelming challenges. Her journey has been one of constant perseverance, filled with moments of doubt, strength, and hope. From the start, she had one goal: to learn English and create a better future for her children. But the obstacles were endless. She spent nearly a year waiting to attend her first English class, held back by the lack of childcare options for her youngest child. Each day that passed felt like another wall between her and her dreams. Yet, despite the setbacks, she never gave up. With the steadfast support of our YMCA Newcomer Connections team, they worked through countless struggles together. They celebrated every small victory, from finally securing daycare for her son to overcoming language barriers that once seemed insurmountable. The breakthrough moment arrived when her youngest son got a spot at a YMCA daycare, finally allowing her to attend classes. Her tears that day were of relief and joy—a moment that symbolized her triumph over all the challenges she'd faced. The pride in her heart and the joy on her face were clear for all to see. Today, she's thriving in her English classes, her determination stronger than ever. And she’s not alone; we at the YMCA are walking this journey with her, cheering her on every step of the way. 💬 Her story is a reminder that hope, resilience, and the support of a caring community can make even the toughest paths possible. Read more about this inspiring mother's journey and join us in celebrating her courage: Read her story here https://lnkd.in/eAFRBAtp Do you have a Y story? Share it with us at : https://lnkd.in/eUEBdWSx

Full house, full hearts! Yesterday, we gathered with our amazing community to celebrate an exciting new chapter for the Glenn Carpenter Outdoor Education Centre! With heartfelt speeches from MP Wayne Long, Campaign Co-Chair Dale Knox, and an inspiring Y story from Settlement worker Catrina Townes, it was a day filled with gratitude and hope for the future. Our President & CEO, Shilo Boucher, shared how close we are to making this dream a reality – only $500,000 to go! A huge thank you to ACOA - APECA and the federal government for their support! If you’d like to help us cross the finish line, please consider donating or sharing this with friends. Every bit helps us get closer to completing this wonderful project! ❤️ https://lnkd.in/eT4cQJ87 Together, we’re a community supporting community, building a brighter future for all.

🌲 Exciting News!!🌲 The YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick is thrilled to announce that thanks to a generous $484,643 investment from the federal government, the Glenn Carpenter Outdoor Education Centre is about to become even more special. This support, provided through ACOA - APECA’s Innovative Communities Fund, will transform this cherished green space into a year-round haven for newcomers, families, and youth in Southwestern New Brunswick. With these upgrades, we will be able to expand our programming for newcomers, providing resources and a welcoming environment to support community and workforce integration. The new multi-purpose building will feature energy-efficient upgrades, including insulated concrete forms, an HVAC system, and LED lighting, ensuring sustainable and inclusive activities in every season. Opening early 2025, this new space represents a lasting commitment to the community—one where people can gather, learn, and grow together in a setting that’s as environmentally conscious as it is inviting. Read the full story to see how this project is setting the stage for a sustainable, thriving future! https://lnkd.in/e7JXGEi6

Join Now or Waitlist for 2025! 🚀 Get ready, Millidgeville! Our YMCA After School Program is set to open in a state-of-the-art, 6,000 sq/ft facility in January 2025 — but you can start this fall at our temporary location! 🌞 🏢 Brand New Facility: A spacious, purpose-built environment where your child can grow, learn, and play! 🌳 200 Acres of Outdoor Adventures: Our Outdoor Education Program lets kids explore trails, forests, and a lake! From tree and plant identification to archery and night sky exploration, each day is packed with exciting outdoor experiences! 🍌 Snacks Provided Daily to keep their energy up. 🕕 Convenient Hours: Open until 6 pm for parents’ peace of mind. 📞 Don’t miss out! Register today to secure your spot now or get on the 2025 waitlist! Contact Jeff Gibbons at j.gibbons@saintjohny.ca to reserve your spot! #YMCAAfterSchool #NewYMCAFacility #OutdoorEducation #JoinTheAdventure

🌟 Help Our Community Shine! 🌟 We’re in the final stretch of our Staff Strong Communities Fundraiser, and with a goal of $10,000, we're so close at $7, 957 raised! We only need 80 people to donate $25 to help us reach the finish line? Will you be one of them?! Every dollar makes a difference! 👉 Donate here: https://ow.ly/KBPo50TTxLV When you support the Strong Communities Fundraiser, you're doing so much more than donating – you’re directly helping people in your own community. 💙 Your contribution helps in: 🌲 Sending children to camp 🏋️ Providing seniors with access to health and fitness 🛍️ Ensuring essential food deliveries reach those in need 🤝 Supporting newcomers to feel welcome and connected 🌈 Offering peer-to-peer grief support through our Rainbows Program and so much more...! By giving today, you’re breaking down financial barriers and opening doors for everyone to participate in life-changing programs at the YMCA. Together, we can build a strong, vibrant community and ensure no one is turned away. 💪 #StrongCommunities #YMCAFamily #SupportLocal #HelpUsShine #CommunityFirst

Yesterday, we had the privilege of coming together with many incredible organizations from our community to celebrate a monumental milestone—the 170th anniversary of both our organization and the Sisters of Charity! 🎉 The energy in the room was filled with community spirit, collaboration, and a deep sense of celebration. Sister Mary Beth summed it up perfectly: it’s not just about what we’ve each accomplished individually, but how we've worked together, side by side, to achieve amazing things for our community. 🤝❤️ We shared ideas on how we can continue to support each other, collaborate, and create even more impact for the next 170+ years. Here's to the power of unity, and to a future filled with more shared success and community impact! 🙌 ✨ It was a truly wonderful and inspiring day! #CommunityImpact #Collaboration #170YearsAndCounting

🌍✨ Happy World Teachers’ Day! ✨🌍 Did you know that YMCA Newcomer Connections has 25 Language Instructors? Today, we celebrate and honor the incredible dedication and hard work of our amazing LINC Teachers (Language Instructors for Newcomers Canada)! 🙌 Their passion for teaching and commitment to empowering newcomers through language has a profound impact. Every lesson they share helps create a stronger, more inclusive community. 🗣️🌟 Thank you for your unwavering support, guidance, and compassion as you help others find their voice and thrive in their new homes. You are truly changing lives, one word at a time. 💙📚 #WorldTeachersDay #ThankYouTeachers #LanguageInstructors #EmpoweringNewcomers #StrongerTogether #YMCA #CommunityImpact

In the latest episode of the UNBeknownst podcast, Shilo Boucher, our President & CEO of YMCA Southwestern New Brunswick, opens up about her journey and the profound impact the YMCA is having across the region. From serving over 45,000 individuals, offering essential childcare, to supporting newcomers and promoting mental health and wellness, this episode is a must-listen! 🎧✨ "Sometimes people don't understand the YMCA as a charity because we do what the community needs us to do... Whether it's youth employment, mental health within our schools, and partnering to ensure that if there's a need, we're right there supporting folks as YMCA" – Shilo Boucher, President and CEO of YMCA Southwestern New Brunswick Shilo reflects on the incredible growth of the YMCA and how we have evolved to become a driving force in community development in Southwestern New Brunswick. She discusses the challenges and opportunities of community building, inclusivity, and leadership, and what the future holds for our organization. 💡 Join us to hear more about her inspiring leadership over the past 18 years and discover how the YMCA is shaping a brighter, more inclusive future! 👉 Don’t miss this inspiring conversation—listen to the full podcast now: https://lnkd.in/gPjkzP_B #YMCA #CommunityImpact #InclusiveCommunities #UNBAlumni

Join us for our Community Luncheon as we celebrate 170 years of service by the YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick and the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception! 🎉 This special event is an opportunity to reflect on our rich history and envision a brighter future together as a community. 🗓️ Wednesday, October 9 ⏰ 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM 📍Lily Lake Pavilion, 55 Lake Drive South, Saint John, NB 🎟️ Tickets: $25 Enjoy a delightful luncheon while we share inspiring stories and engage in meaningful discussions on how we can collaborate to strengthen our community ties. We look forward to celebrating this significant milestone with you! For tickets and more information, visit https://lnkd.in/eReEVd3h