The  YMCA  was  established  over  160  years  ago  as  a  charity  dedicated  to  the  health  of  both  individuals  and  communities.  Our  focus  on  inclusiveness  and  accessibility  means  we  serve  people  of  all  ages,  backgrounds  and  abilities  through  all  stages  of  life.  Through  YMCA  financial  assistance  programs,  the  YMCA  is  accessible  to  all.  

Today,  there  are  45  YMCAs  and  5  YMCA-­‐YWCAs  in  Canada  that  offer  programs  and  services  tailored  to  each  community's  needs.  Together,  we  serve  2  million  people  in  more  than  1000  communities  across  Canada.    

Thanks  to  nationally  accredited  Chid  Protection  Standards  and  Procedures,  YMCA  programs  safely  build  assets  or  critical  factors  children  need  to  become  healthy,  caring  and  responsible.  These  factors  include  support,  empowerment,  positive  identity  and  values,  a  commitment  to  learning,  boundaries  and  many  others.  Our  programs  instill  values  of  caring,  respect,  honesty,  inclusiveness  and  responsibility.  

The  YMCA  of  Southwest  Nova  Scotia  is  a  registered  charity  dedicated  to  promoting  growth  of  our  people  in  Spirit,  Mind  and  Body.  As  a  charitable  organization,  the  YMCA  invests  all  its  resources  in  the  provision  of  programs  and  services  focused  on  wellness,  health  and  fitness,  childcare  and  personal  development  needs  of  all.  This  was  especially  evident  in  2014  as  the  Lunenburg  County  YMCA  branch  invested  in  new  fitness  equipment  and  facility  upgrades,  resulting  in  the  largest  facility  refresh  since  its  inception.  

Thanks  to  the  exceptional  efforts  of  our  members,  program  participants,  volunteers  and  guests,  the  YMCA  of  Southwest  Nova  Scotia  is  able  to  champion  our  vision  of  being  the  hub  of  the  community.  Together  we  continue  to  fulfill  this  purpose  more  effectively  every  year  -­‐  thank  you.  

Sincerely,  

Building healthy communities

Welcome & Thank You

YMCA  of  Southwest  Nova  Scotia2014  Annual  Report

2associations

98staff

1mission

Elspeth McLean-Wile Chair

YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia

Yvonne Smith Chief Executive Officer

YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia

39,000times in 2014

accessed over

nearly

8,000swimmers enjoyed our facility pool

•   Annapolis  Basin  Conference  Centre  •   Annapolis  County  Recreation  Committee  •   Armstrong  &  Armstrong  Law  •   Annapolis  Valley  Health  /  South  West  Health  -­‐     4  The  Health  of  It  ,  Way  to  Wellness,  Safe  Talk  •   Cornwallis  Physiotherapy  •   Digby  &  Area  Recreation  Committee  •   Fairway  Insurance  •   Hutchin’s  Pharmacy  Annapolis  Royal  •   Foam  Worx  •   Oliver  Janson  Law  •   Senior  Living:  Tideview  Terrace,  The  Meadows       &  Mountain  Lee  Lodge  •   Tri-­‐county  Regional  School  Board  &     Annapolis  Valley  Regional  School  Board:     Swim  to  Survive       School  Trips     Schools  Plus     Teacher’s  Union  •   Searidge  Foundation  •   Shopper’s  Drug  Mart  Digby  •   Wagner’s  Refrigeration    

Community Connections• Over  900  members  per  month  used  the  facility  a  total  of  39,  001  times  

• Our  Membership  Assistance  Program  provided  financial  assistance  to  1  in  3  members  who  would  not  have  been  able  to  join  the  YMCA  otherwise  

•59  volunteers  contributed  more  than  1,431  hours  to  YMCA  programs  and  policy  

• On  average,  nearly  30  fitness  classes  and  18  youth  activities  were  offered  per  week  

• Over  3,000  participants  attended  Water  Art  classes  

• Nearly  8,000  youth  and  adults  enjoyed  swimming  at  the  Fundy  YMCA  

•1,376  people  (mostly  children/youth)  used  the  pool  on  a  day  pass  

• Every  month,  over  400  people  completed  lane  swims  

•45  children  took  part  in  Swim  to  Survive  while  over  400  children  and  adults  enrolled  in  our  Aquatics  Swim  Lessons  in  2014

Facts & Figures

+900members

59volunteers

1,431contributed

hours

Fundy  YMCAreview  of  2014

The  Fundy  YMCA  gratefully  acknowledges  the  ongoing  support  of  

The County of Annapolis Without  their  financial  contribu]ons,  we  

would  not  be  able  to  build healthy communities

  What  started  with  2  women  at  Fundy  YMCA  in  Cornwallis,  NS,  morphed  into  a  3  year  Cross  Canada  Swim  Challenge  for  more  than  20  lane  swimmers  who  swam  a  total  of  217,911  pool  lengths  (5,034kms)  to  cover  the  distance  from  Newfoundland  to  British  Colombia.    

  The  challenge  was  initially  generated  by  lane  swimmers  Sandra  Brown  and  Valerie  Wilson,  who  were  regularly  swim  60-­‐80  pool  lengths  three  times  weekly  at  Fundy  YMCA.    Their  lengths  were  quickly  adding  up,  so  they  decided  to  turn  their  efforts  into  a  challenge  by  swimming  across  Canada  by  going  from  one  provincial  capital  to  another.    They  did  the  math:  40  lengths  of  a  25  meter  pool  =  1  km.    When  they  realized  that  as  individuals  this  challenge  could  take  them  several  years  they  invited  other  lane  swimmers  to  join  them.    The  start  date  of  Fundy  YMCA  Cross  Canada  Swim  Challenge  was  November  5,  2012.  

“We  asked  everybody,”  says  Sandra,  “whether  they  were  swimming  2  or  100  lengths  of  the  pool.”  

  The  two  women  encouraged  swimmers  of  all  ages  and  abilities  to  join  the  challenge.    Participation  grew  and  there  were  soon  more  than  20  lane  swimmers  tracking  their  daily  swim  distance.    Richard  Chapelhow,  YMCA  Facilities  Manager,  generously  donated  a  provincial  flag  that  was  hung  over  the  pool  for  each  border  crossed  by  swimmers.    Provincial  capitals  included  in  the  challenge  were;  Charlettown,  Halifax,  Fredericton,  Montreal,  Toronto,  Winnipeg,  Edmonton,  Regina  and  Victoria.      

  “It  took  us  a  total  of  113  weeks  to  reach  Victoria,”  says  Valerie.    “We  finished  January  11,  2015.  It  was  absolutely  amazing  to  see  so  many  people  participate  and  equally  amazing  that  most  of  the  people  who  started  the  challenge  stuck  to  it  for  the  entire  swim.    We  applauded  everybody’s  efforts.    It  was  especially  satisfying  to  see  people  who  initially  couldn’t  swim  a  stroke  sign  up  for  swim  lessons  and  go  on  to  participate  in  this  challenge”.      

Y Story

Fundy  YMCA  International  Swim  Challenge  is  next!Our  destination  Tokyo,  Japan  –  a  distance  of  7,579  kilometres

“It was especially satisfying to see people who initially couldn’t swim a stroke sign up for swim lessons and go on to participate in this challenge”

Valerie WilsonFundy YMCA Member

Go swimmers !

•  58,309  visits  were  recorded  by  over  1,050  YMCA  members

•  Over  160  members  received  financial  assistance  towards  their  YMCA  Membership

•  More  than  170  toddlers,  juniors,  pre-­‐schoolers  and  school-­‐age  children  received  registered  child  care  from  YMCA  Educators

•  The  Youth  Leader  Program  contributed  2,570  volunteer  hours  to  community  programs  in  Lunenburg  County

•  1,979  youth  visits  were  recorded  by  the  King  Street  Youth  Centre•  Supportive  funding  resulted  in  piloting  the  YMCA  Youth  Leader  Program  in  New  Germany  and  Chester

•  1,582  children  and  youth  participated  in  our  free  Friday  night  Youth  Zone  program

Lunenburg  County  YMCA

Community Supporters• Town  of  Bridgewater  • Municipality  of  the  District  of  Chester  • Municipality  of  the  District  of  Lunenburg  • United  Way  of  Lunenburg  County  • The  Lunenburg  County  Community  Health  Board  • Nova  Scotia  Department  of  Health  and  Wellness  • Nova  Scotia  Department  of  Justice  • Nova  Scotia  Health  Authority

Community DevelopmentThe  YMCA  King  Street  Youth  Centre  has  formed  affiliations  with  a  number  of  organizations  within  the  community  and  continue  to  develop  opportunities  in  2015  for  youth  that  are  not  presently  available  to  them.    

• Employment  SoluVons  Society  • Luneburg  Queens  Volunteer  Partnership  • Town  of  Bridgewater  Police  Department  • South  Shore  Council  of  Canadians  • South  Shore  School  Board  (Coop  &  O2  programs)  • South  Shore  Big  Brothers  Big  Sisters  • Be  the  Peace  Project  • Second  Story  Women’s  Centre  • NOW  Lunenburg  County  • Grinders  Square  Commi^ee  • Family  Resource  Centre  • The  Youth  Project  • Nova  ScoVa  Sea  School  • Mermaid  Theatre  Group  • Duke  of  Edinburgh’s  Award  Programme  • Mining  AssociaVon  of  Nova  ScoVa  • Town  of  Bridgewater  Department  of  Parks,  RecreaVon  and  CultureMunicipality  of  the  District  of  Lunenburg,  Municipal  RecreaVon  Dept.  

• Municipality  of  the  District  of  Chester,  Municipal  RecreaVon  Dept.  • ParVcipACTION  

review  of  2014

Facts & Figures

+1000members

58,000times in 2014

accessed overvolunteer hours2,570

were recorded by theYouth Leader

Program

number of children who received registered child care:

175

Y Story “My  wife,  our  three  children  and  I  are  new  immigrants  to  Canada.  We  came  here  as  a  visitor  and  instantly  loved  Nova  Scotia.  On  our  visit,  we  met  with  a  few  families  who  lived  in  Halifax.    When  we  spoke  to  them  about  immigrating  to  Canada,  they  wanted  us  to  settle  down  in  Halifax  with  them  as  we  shared  the  same  culture  and  values.  Me,  my  wife  and  our  kids  on  the  other  hand,  found  Mahone  Bay  to  be  a  much  more  comfortable  and  a  beautiful  place  to  begin  our  life  here  in  Canada.    

We  immigrated  to  Mahone  Bay  leaving  our  jobs  and  career  paths  behind,  It  was  hard  in  the  beginning  without  any  jobs  and  even  the  families  who  we  knew  in  Halifax  decided  to  cut  off  all  ties  with  us  as  we  did  not  move  closer  to  the  community  that  shared  the  same  culture  as  ours.  For  a  month  or  so,  we  simply  mingled  with  families  that  were  in  our  neighborhood  and  the  children’s  school.  But  then,  things  changed.  We  were  very  fortunate  to  see  a  poster  of  a  ‘Conversation  Circle’  happening  in  Bridgewater  for  newcomers  and  immigrants.  Me  and  my  wife  decided  to  attend  the  Circle  with  our  kids  and  from  that  day,  we  never  looked  back.  

Today,  me  and  my  wife  enjoy  a  delicious  lunch  every  Tuesday,  practicing  English  with  other  newcomers  while  our  children  are  taken  care  by  professional  staff  in  a  licensed  day  care  facility  for  free.  I  would  like  to  express  my  gratitude  and  approval  for  the  YREACH  program  and  its  liaison  executive,  Tina,  as  she  has  in  numerous  accounts  been  there  for  us.  

Both  me  and  my  wife  were  referred  to  the  local  Employment  agency  in  town  and  have  developed  a  work  profile  to  begin  our  search  for  job  opportunities.  We  have  also  received  a  lot  of  help  with  processing  our  paper  work  for  immigration.  Living  in  a  rural  community  it  can  get  very  expensive  to  keep  on  traveling  to  Halifax  when  we  have  a  question  or  need  help  in  filling  out  immigration  documents.  Tina’s  expertise  in  immigration  bridges  the  gap  between  families  and  individuals  living  in  rural  communities  to  immigrant  services  in  Halifax.  Along  with  providing  immigration  support  to  our  family,  the  Lunenburg  County  YREACH  program  advocates  different  cultures  and  diversity  in  the  community.  Tina  introduced  our  cultural  holiday  to  the  fellow  members  of  the  conversation  circle.  There  was  a  potluck  event  in  the  community  where  we  did  a  presentation  to  talk  about  the  celebration  of  Hanukkah.    She  also  supported  us  to  present  on  this  holiday  in  our  children’s  school.  All  this  has  made  me  and  my  family  feel  very  welcomed  in  our  neighborhood  and  our  community  as  a  whole.    

The  YREACH  program  has  certainly  changed  and  continues  to  change  our  life  here  in  Mahon  Bay.  We  would  definitely  recommend  the  program  and  how  Tina  could  support  them.    We  feel  very  fortunate  for  the  existence  of  the  program  and  for  meeting  such  remarkable  staff.”

“ I would like to express my gratitude and approval for the YREACH program ! ”

YREACH ParticipantLunenburg County YMCA

members at the Fundy YMCA receive financial assistance !

1 in 3

Our  YMA  Financial  Assistance  program  serves  those  individuals  and  families  who  have  the  greatest  need  in  our  community  by  offering  reduced  rates  for  membership.  

We  are  extremely  grateful  for  the  generosity  of  individuals  and  organizations  whose  financial  and  in-­‐kind  contributions  make  our  programs  and  services  accessible  to  those  in  financial  need.

of all members at the Lunenburg County YMCA receive financial assistance …

7%While

Donors  of  our  annual  YMCA  Strong  Kids  Campaign  help  our  families  build  a  better  community  for  the  future.    

We  believe  that  everyone  deserves  a  chance  to  realize  their  full  potential.

Did you know…Youth  programming  is  offered  free  at  the  YMCA  of  Southwest  Nova  Scotia?

By  eliminating  the  financial  barrier,  we  encourage  all  young  people  in  our  communities  to  participate  in  YMCA  youth  programs!

Lunenburg County YMCA 75 High Street Bridgewater NS B4V 1V8 T: (902) 543-9622

Fundy YMCA 1043 Highway 1 Cornwallis NS B0S 1H0 T: (902) 638-9622

YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia

ymcalunenburgcounty.org fundyymca.com

ymcacanada.ca

In April of 2014, the members of the Lunenburg County YMCA and the Fundy YMCA agreed to a name change to better reflect their current operations. At special membership meetings held in Bridgewater and Cornwallis, YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia was adopted as the name for the governing organization for the Lunenburg County YMCA and Fundy YMCA.

The name change reflects the joint operation of the two organizations under one management and governance structure. Each branch will continue to serve the needs of their respective communities as the Fundy YMCA and Lunenburg County YMCA.

The YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia is dedicated to building healthy communities by nurturing the potential of children, teens and young adults, promoting healthy living, and fostering social responsibility in order to create lasting personal and social change.

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us:

Who  We  Are

FINANCIAL REPORT Year Ended December 31 (Audited)

Statement  of  Operation                            2014         2013                                  Total  Revenue                1,717,258        1,815,960    Total  Expense                1,808,407        1,832,279  Fundraising  Activities                        80,444                  34,572  Excess                          (10,705)                  18,253  

Statement  of  Financial  Position  

Current  Assets                      434,472                569,354    Property  Plant  and  Equip                  770,157                743,263  Total  Assets                1,254,629          1,312,617  

Current  Liabilities                    190,235                218,975  Deferred  Capital  Contributions                650,946                669,489                            841,181                888,464    Net  Assets                        413,448                424,153                      1,254,629          1,312,617

YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia

Lunenburg County YMCA 75  High  Street  Bridgewater  NS  B4V  1V8  T:  (902)  543-­‐9622  

Centre Manager Johnathan_Gregorash@ymca.ca

Director of Children’s Services Candy_Lohnes@ymca.ca

YMCA King Street Youth Centre 416  King  Street  Bridgewater  NS  B4V  1A9  T:  (902)  530-­‐3392  

Youth Coordinator Kim_Whitman-Mansfield@ymca.ca

YMCA School Age Program Y-­‐SAP  Lunenburg  County  YMCA  75  High  Street  Bridgewater  NS  B4V  1V8  T:  (902)  543-­‐6399  

Y-­‐SAP  Hebbville  Academy  16147  Highway  #3  Hebbville,  NS  B4V  6Y1  T:  (902)  543-­‐6399  

Fundy YMCA 1043  Hwy  1  Cornwallis  NS  B0S  1H0  T:  (902)  638-­‐9622  

Centre Manager Sharon_MacAlpine@ymca.ca

Charitable registration # 123648594RR0001

Yvonne SmithChief Executive OfficerYvonne_Smith@ymca.ca  T:  (902)  521-­‐3599  F:  (902)  543-­‐6545

Locations

Jill SutherlandChief Financial OfficerJill_Sutherland@ymca.ca  T:  (902)  543–9622  F:  (902)  543-­‐6545

Elspeth  McLean-­‐Wile,  Chair  Janice  Tanner  Ernst,  Vice-­‐Chair  John  Wright,  Secretary    Louis  Tousignant    Brit  Mathisen    Alan  McMullin    Carroll  Publicover    Matthew  Naugler  Ken  Smith  Beth  Earle    Lawrence  Garner  Yvonne  Smith,  CEO    

2014 Board of Directors