The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

continued from p.2 eryone who applied, it's a blessing for me," said Natividad. Since joining the Y, the 24-year-old has taken on more responsibility, working with families to help their children succeed. The experiences you gain from working at the YMCA are "larger than life," Natividad said, which is why he got involved with the group. "Being a part of this field and this experience, giving exposure to myself, opened a lot of doors for me." This fall, Natividad is heading to the University of Guelph-Humber to acquire his bachelor of applied sciences in early childhood studies. Caroline O'Brien This summer, O'Brien shone again as a program co-ordinator of the Bronte Camp where she used theme-based programs to empower campers and counsellors. She first learned the significance of community as a camper in the junior leadership program at YMCA Geneva Park. Following that, O'Brien became a camp counselor at the Oakville YMCA in 2014. "I really admire this organization and the work it achieves in the community. It feels really wonderful to be a part of it because I value it so much," said O'Brien. The 21-year-old's passion for creating community in the camp environment grew stronger, and in 2015, she took the next step in her leadership journey as an on-call integration camp counsellor. Experiences gained from working at YMCA `larger than life': Natividad "(The Y) is like a big family. I just wanted a second home and extended family, which is what I found at the Y," said O'Brien, on why she joined the group. O'Brien's dream is to become a high school teacher and will be attending Brock University this fall to obtain her bachelor of education. Nikita Cadranel For the past seven years, Cadranel has held a variety of roles at the Oakville Y including as a membership services representative and program co-ordinator at Bronte Camp this summer. As summer camp co-ordinator, she developed innovative programming ideas based on the goals of the program, creating impactful experiences for campers. As a team leader at Mother Teresa Elementary School in 2016, Cadranel built positive relationships with children, staff and parents. "(The Y) has helped me get hours for work and get the experiences in, as well as giving me opportunities I may not have had. It was really nice being given the opportunities," said Cadranel, 24. Next month, Cadranel enters her second academic year of teacher's college with a goal to inspire more children and youth to be leaders. Michael Vanstone Vanstone's experience as a YMCA of Oakville summer camp participant led to him working as counsellor, and later on, to start fulfilling his vision of becoming a teacher. After completing leadership camp to become a counsellor, the 20-year-old's skills quickly developed as Vanstone guided younger campers and fellow counsellors. He worked as a program co-ordinator at the Peter Gilgan Camp this summer. Currently a teacher education student at Brock University, Vanstone hopes to complete undergraduate and post-graduate programs to 3 | Friday September 1, 2017 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insidehalton.com continue working with youths in a educational capacity. "Working for the Y, I learned to love being in a leadership position. Working with kids and wanting to pursue teaching as a career is very similar to what I do at summer camp," said Vanstone. For more information, visit http://ymcaofoakville.org/. Need help with house-cleaning? Let us do it for you! Discover cleaning service that's affordable, reliable, and convenient. Sunrise Cleaning Services Call us today for a free estimate! 905-567-1199 Servicing Oakville for over 20 years! Check out our current specials at: www.Sunrise-Cleaning.ca Mention this ad and get 15% off! ·Recurring cleaning. ·One time cleaning. ·Spring cleaning. ·Post renovation cleaning. ·Moving cleaning. ·Gift certificates. Enjoy your life and leave the cleaning to us! Farewell foot pain Our foot care starts with education. We treat all foot issues so you can live without pain & improve mobility. · Best Chiropodist / Clinic / Orthotics provider since 2004 · We put care & service first! No School! A Fundraising Initiative of Burlington Lakeshore 905 632 1414 728 Burloak (South of the QEW) Foot & Health Clinic.com ONLY ONL Y STARTING FROM AIRE ONE MADNESS SALE! HIGH EFFICIENCY FURNACE & CENTRAL AIR * $ OR * September 3990 $ Call for details 59 /MTH OAC* SAME DAY INSTALLATION P PACKAGE ACKAGE INCLUDES: · 95.5 % High Efficiency Efficiency Gas Furnace · High Effi Efficiency ciency Central Air R410A Refrigerant ·10 Year Factory Warranty · Limited Time Offer 95.5% EFF. $2500 IN REBATES* RECEIVE UP TO CENTRAL AIR OR FURNACE DIAGNOSTIC SPECIAL www www. . HEATING & COOLING $ .com 49 *Call for details. CENTAL AIR OR FURNACE CLEANING BOOK YOURS TODAY! $ 79 Friday 1 2 3 4 Saturday Sunday Monday Spencer Smith Park, Burlington CanadasLargestRibfest.com *Call for details. OVER 120,000 SATISFIED CUSTOMERS 9 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER OAKVILLE (905) 849-4998 19 ribbers · over 30 musical acts · kids zone · crafters · free admission