YMCA Peace Week and The Peace Medallion
YMCA Statement on Peace
YMCA Peace Week takes place in November and is a time when we celebrate the presence of peace in our communities, and reflect on the peace-building work that happens all year both inside and outside the YMCA. The YMCA believes peace is more than the absence of violence and conflict. Peace is the ongoing work of building and rebuilding conditions of fairness, inclusion, empathy, security, and respect for diversity. When Canadians embody the values of PEACE through our daily actions, we can build a better Canada.
In keeping with this year’s International Day of Peace theme of “End racism. Build peace,” YMCA Peace Week 2022 focuses on developing an anti-racist lens to understand conflicts taking place around the globe. The goal is that this year’s theme continues to inspire our work throughout the year.
Peace Medallion
Each year, YMCAs across Canada celebrate acts of peace by recognizing individuals or groups who, without any special resources, status, wealth or position, have demonstrated a commitment to building peace within our community. Nominate a peace maker in our community for a YMCA Peace Medallion today! Download form here.
Peace Medal Recipient
The 2022 recipient of the YMCA Peace Medallion is Nicki Lyons-MacFarlane.
Peace Medallion Recipients
2022 – Nicki Lyons-MacFarlane
2018 – Dr. Paul Ross
2014 – Andy Scott (posthumously)
2011 – Jon V. Oliver
2007 – Yvonne Mersereau, Gloria Paul
2003 – Karl McLellan
2000 – Judy Coates
1997 – Inez Flemington (posthumously)
1994 – Transition House
1990 – Richard Blaquière
2021 – Georgette Roy
2017 – Kim MacDonald
2013 – Norm Laverty
2010 – Johnny Evans
2006 – Mavis Doucette
2003 – Charlotte Gallagher (posthumously)
1999 – Pauline Cunningham
1997 – Robert and Marie Young
1993 – Concerned Youth for Development
1989 – Father Monte Peters
2020 – Corinne Saunders Hersey
2016 – Mary Dickinson
2012 – Dr. Colleen O’Connell
2009 – Sister Eleanor McCloskey, CND
2005 – Brigid Toole Grant
2002 – Comité de l’avenir
1999 – Juan Montalvo (posthumously)
1996 – Judy Loo
1992 – Judge Graydon Nicholas
1988 – Allayne Armstrong (posthumously)
2019 – Nashwaaksis Y Service Club
2015 – Jan Lockhart
2012 – Patricia Ellsworth
2008 – The Epsilon Y’s Men and Y’s Menettes
2004 – Anna Christie
2001 – Lorenzo Fabro
1998 – Brian and Elaine Perkins – McIntosh
1995 – Valerie Drury
1991 – St. Paul’s Refugee Committee
1987 – Jim and Kay Bedell