11 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, April 15, 2009 Our Mission The YMCA of Oakville is a charitable association open to all, dedicated to providing life-long opportunities for health enhancement and personal growth. Camille volunteers with the fitkids program on Saturdays. Here she is at the climbing wall with Cameron (9), Tyler (6) and Joshua (3) Evans. GAINING FROM VOLUNTEERING You can do it, buddy, try again! Adam encourages Woad who is frustrated by a soccer exercise. Sue Perry was a volunteer who stepped into her job as Acting Aquatics Supervisor. For Susan Perry, volunteering at the Y opened the door to a career. She went from being a volunteer Aquafit instructor to recently being promoted to Acting Aquatics Supervisor. While she is grateful that a one-hour-a-week commitment led to a career, she began volunteering simply to get a break from being "a stay-at-home mom with two small children," as she says. "Volunteering was an opportunity for me to get out and be someone other than `mom' for an hour each week. The childminding service offered by the Y provided a safe and nurturing environment where the staff cared for my children while I `escaped.'" While a change of routine was her reason for volunteering, she found other rewards. "Volunteering is empowering. It helped me realize that I can make a difference simply by chatting, smiling and getting to know people after a class. But the most empowering thing is not the difference I feel I've made for other people, but the difference other people have made in my life." Volunteers are always needed to help teach swimming lessons. They need to love working with kids and be good at multi-tasking. They also need certifications including Bronze Cross and standard first aid. HAVE FUN HELPING AT SUMMER CAMP Want to develop leadership skills? Share your creativity? Make a difference? Earn volunteer hours for school? If you're at least 14 years old, Y Summer Camp might want your help. You'll work with children on crafts, sports and building friendships. We'll give you training. Get an application form from www.ymcaofoakville.com or at the front desk. Send the application to Tammy Smith, Supervisor Staff and Volunteer Development, (905 845-5597 ext 23 ) or at tammysm@oakville.ymca.ca. All applicants need a recent Criminal Reference Check with Vulnerable Sector screening. A few hours this summer will help build your future! 410 Rebecca Street Oakville, ON L6K 1K7 Telephone: 905-845-3417 Facsimile: 905-842-6792 E-mail: customerservice@oakville.ymca.ca Tours available Monday to Friday: 5:30 am to 10:00 pm Saturday: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm Sunday: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm