With over 2,500 volunteers, the YMCA of Greater Toronto has many stories that highlight the contributions they make each year. Stories like these:

A Peace Medallion Volunteer's Story
I arrived to Canada from South Korea nearly six years ago with my husband and our three children. When I left South Korea I was a working professional with a Master's Degree in Education. When I arrived in Canada my social location changed dramatically. > read more

Young YMCA Volunteer Recognized
When 16-year-old Arnav Agarwal from Mississauga visited a New Delhi orphanage founded by Mother Teresa, he was inspired to give back to his own community. Arnav began volunteering for the Y leading programs for Child, Youth and Family Development. > read more

Giving Back to the Future
Greg Clark is an alumnus of YMCA Camp Pine Crest. He’s reconnected with the camp to give back to a place he loves, and to introduce his growing family to the camp. Greg is a volunteer on our Advisory Committee, which gives support and resources to camp management. He’s also stepped up to be the lead volunteer to help grow our alumni database and re-connect others to the camp. > read more 

Connecting Through Sport
Intisar Al Pachachi came to Canada from Iraq three years ago. She holds a Masters degree in Physical Education in basketball, and found it difficult to find employment in Canada. Intisar began volunteering at YMCA Peel Youth Village in October 2007. Intisar started teaching the youth in the community about basketball and brought new life to the girls’ basketball games. Before Intisar came, only the boys were playing basketball, but when the girls saw her on the floor teaching and playing, they joined in.  > read more 

Volunteering is Child’s Play
Gowri Puvithasan has been volunteering for the Scarborough YMCA child-minding centre since December 2006. Gowri assists in the safety and care of each child who enters. She motivates children to learn through play by offering a variety of activities for the children to do throughout the morning such as arts and crafts, sensory activities, creative arts and free play. Gowri’s leadership is impeccable — she regularly takes on additional duties on her own initiative. She is punctual, light-hearted and fun! > read more 

Spreading the YMCA Story
Howard is a new volunteer with the YMCA, but he’s making a tremendous effort and having a huge impact on our community already. Howard recently joined our Advisory Council, which meets on a monthly basis to work with the general manager on the overall strategy for our centre. This year, Howard decided to expand his involvement as a volunteer by getting involved in the Strong Kids Campaign, and he took on the responsibility of being Chair, Major Gifts Campaign.  > read more

Through Rain or Snow
Michael Fernandez, 15, started volunteering in the summer of 2007 at the Stouffville Employment Resource Centre. Every Tuesday afternoon Michael will walk through the door of our Centre promptly at 4pm. He is eager to learn, help and is courteous to all. He has even been known to ride his bike across town in the rain and snow to make it for his “shift”. While performing his weekly tasks, Michael always has a smile and is waiting and willing to assist members who may be struggling with routine tasks on the computer. > read more