News

YMCA Canada Statement for National Day for Truth and
Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day 2023

The Indian Residential School Survivors Society is available to survivors and their families at any time. Please call 1-800-721-0066 or 1-866-925-4419 to access the 24-7 crisis line. You can find additional support via the First Nations and Inuit HopeForWellness.ca Help Line at 1-855-242-3310. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth can text 686868 for access to Indigenous volunteer crisis responders (via Crisis Text Line powdered by Kids Help Phone) and adults can access this same service by messaging 741741.
Today, on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which coincides with Orange Shirt Day, YMCAs in Canada reflect on our responsibilities as treaty people with respect to the devastating legacy of the residential school system.
Since 2021, the uncovering of unmarked graves at the sites of former residential schools has brought widespread attention to what many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people already knew: thousands of Indigenous children perished and were harmed in the Canadian Indian residential school system. The graves raised many questions about how a society takes responsibility for the suffering inflicted by its own institutions upon vulnerable children.
At YMCA Canada, we recognize that reconciliation is an ongoing process, and we must be an active participant. This past year we identified that Indigenous People are under-represented on our national board of directors, and we have initiated a recruitment process to change this. To mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, YMCA Canada held webinars this month that amplified Indigenous voices, as we continue to explore how we can meaningfully advance our truth and reconciliation journey.
The YMCA continues on our path to deepen our understanding of the ongoing effects of residential schools and how we can act in solidarity with Indigenous communities. Wherever you are on your path, we hope today you take another step forward toward being an active participant in reconciliation.

Please join us for the YMCA of Fredericton Annual General Meeting to be held on Monday, May 30 from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. A virtual link will be sent out at a later time. Please RSVP to Darcy Delaney at darcy.delaney@ymcafredericton.org

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Fredericton, I am pleased to announce the hiring of Darcy Delaney as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA of Fredericton effective on Monday, January 10^th, 2022.

Darcy has spent the past 15 years working at and running youth and recreational camps, including two years as Executive Director of YMCA Florida’s Wewa Outdoor Center and five years as Executive Director of Mansfield Outdoor Center in Ontario. Within these roles and others, Darcy has implemented rigorous and clinical evaluations, grown and diversified revenue, led capital redevelopments, and established programs to engage and serve low-income youth.

A keen outdoorsman with a business mindset and significant not-for-profit experience, Darcy brings a distinctive skill set and expertise. Darcy holds a degree in geography with further studies throughout his career in environmental studies and business leadership and strategic planning.

Darcy is an enthusiastic and authentic leader and has illustrated his commitment to fostering collaboration and inclusivity to maintain and strengthen the YMCA presence in our community.

Darcy’s appointment is the result of an intensive four-month search process the Board of Directors undertook with the guidance and support of Y Canada.  The CEO Search Committee was comprised of YMCA of Fredericton volunteers with past and present Operations and Endowment Board members: Peter Clark, Lisa LePage, Don Roy, Linda Speedy, and myself.  The thorough process involved a National job posting and the assessment and screening of 34 candidates for the position.

More information on Darcy’s contact coordinates will be available soon.  The Board wishes to acknowledge the diligent work of Michelle Paquin as the Association’s Interim President and CEO over the last five months and are pleased that Michelle will be continuing in her leadership role as the Association’s CFO; a role that she has performed in admirably on behalf of our YMCA even as she undertook the additional Interim responsibilities.

Please join me in thanking Michelle for her dedication and leadership and also in welcoming Darcy to the YMCA of Fredericton community.

Ben Coles
Board Chair
YMCA of Fredericton

The YMCA of Fredericton pool will be closed from Dec 13 to Dec 23 for scheduled maintenance and repairs.

To ensure YMCA members continue to have access to a pool during the closure, members can use the aquatics facilities at the Sir Max Aitken (SMA) pool at UNB (Dec 16 – 23) and the Fredericton Indoor Pool (Dec 13-23).

When visiting the Sir Max Aitken pool at UNB:

• YMCA members can identify themselves with their YMCA membership, Government ID and Proof of Vaccination during every visit.
• YMCA members will be asked to complete a waiver, and a COVID-19 waiver. This can be done at the Lady Beaverbrook Gymnasium where the Sir Max Aitken pool is located.
• Parking passes are required between 8am-4pm Monday-Friday. These passes can be purchased at the UNB Security and Traffic building on campus.

When visiting Fredericton Indoor Pool:

• YMCA members can access the facility with their YMCA membership card, Government ID and Proof of Vaccination (or exemption)
• FIP is currently open for drop-in usage, or swims can be pre-booked by contacting Adam Munn, Recreation Officer, Aquatics; at munn@fredericton.ca  who will create an account and assign a temporary pass.
• Masks are to be worn in all areas of the facility and only removed for (1) showering prior to entering the pool area and (2) prior to entering the water to swim.

Addresses:

Sir Max Aitken Pool

at UNB Lady Beaverbrook Gym

15 Peter Kelly Dr.

Fredericton, N.B.

E3B 5A3

Fredericton Indoor Pool

79 Carrington Ln

Fredericton, NB

E3A 5R5

As part of YMCA Peace Week, YMCAs across Canada present the YMCA Peace Medallion to individuals or to a group, who, without any special resources, demonstrate a commitment to the values of PEACE.  The values of PEACE are Participation, Empathy, Advocacy, Community and Empowerment and this year, the Peace Medallion is awarded to an individual who has demonstrated these values for over 20 years through her generosity and commitment to the Fredericton community. We are pleased to announce that Georgette Roy is this year’s recipient of the Peace Medallion. To read the full story, visit us at Community Impact on our site.

Please be advised that the leisure pool will be closed on Friday, October 22 for maintenance.