The pandemic has made life challenging for charities and non-profits and the Saint John Regional YMCA is no exception.
It did not meet last year’s fundraising goal of $525,000 for the Strong Communities Campaign.
For 2022, Interim Chief Development Officer Jennifer Yeomans says the campaign set the same goal.
“It was a struggle last year to meet all those needs in our community but, we are forging ahead this year. We are set to meet our goal and we’re hoping we will do that with the support of the community,” Yeomans said.
Yeomans said there is a focus this year on getting more kids involved in their nine day camps throughout the City and at the Glen Carpenter Centre.
The Strong Communities campaign allows families with financial barriers to participate in all of the Saint John Y’s programming and services.
Yeomans said this year’s target was set based on the needs of the community.
“We provide support for different things for memberships, for kids to go to camp, for child care costs but we are still not meeting everything that needs to be done,” Yeomans said.
A successful campaign will have a direct impact for more than 3,000 individuals from the community.
The honorary chairs of the 2022 Strong Communities Campaign are well-known local philanthropists Brice and Cathy Belyea.
“Within the last 10 or 15 years, the Y has really increased its presence in the community,” said Brice, who is a past YMCA of Greater Saint John Red Triangle Award recipient. “It plays a really important role in things like early childhood education, physical and mental wellness, and settlement services. We want to ensure we are doing whatever we can so the Y’s work continues in the years ahead.”
Starting the day at the Saint John Regional Y. pic.twitter.com/qDhBxqOssh
— Tamara Steele (@tamarasteele1) April 14, 2022
