Stephen Butz, CEO of the YMCA of Niagara, is pleased to announce that there will be one YMCA serving Niagara, as a result of the decision to unify by the YMCA of Niagara and the YMCA of Fort Erie. This merger received final approval on May 29 at a special meeting of voting members in Fort Erie. The response was overwhelming with over 98% of the votes cast in favour of merging the two YMCAs.
Our new YMCA of Niagara will be serving nearly 60,000 people of all ages, economic circumstances and abilities across Niagara in 100+ sites. This restructuring will result in a broadening of services in the Fort Erie area through investment to ensure ongoing community relevance and sustainability.
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Asset Building the YMCA Way
What Kids Need to Succeed & What Our YMCA is Doing About It
The YMCA way of building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities is now validated by studies conducted by the Minneapolis-based Search Institute of almost two million young people in the United States and Canada. Out of this research, Search Institute researchers have identified 40 concrete, positive experiences and qualities called "developmental assets" which have a tremendous influence on young people's lives. The developmental assets are the essential building blocks all young people need to be healthy, caring, competent adults.
The 40 developmental assets include such things as healthy relationships with adults, service to others, creative activities, honesty, peaceful conflict resolution and a sense of purpose - the very things that YMCAs have been providing young people with for years. These assets are grouped into eight categories.
- Ensure that young people experience Support.
- Provide opportunities for Empowerment.
- Set Appropriate Boundaries & Expectations.
- Facilitate Constructive Use of Time.
- Cultivate a Lifelong Commitment to Learning.
- Instill Positive Values.
- Develop Social Competencies.
- Nurture a Positive Identity.
The assets have been shown to influence adolescent behaviour across all cultural, socioeconomic groups and geographic areas — protecting youth from poor choices and risky behaviours and promoting positive attitudes and behaviours. Youth with a higher number of assets are less likely to engage in activities such as problem alcohol use, antisocial behaviours, violence, illicit drug use and sexual activity. Young people with more assets are more apt to experience success in school, have good health, possess an appreciation of diversity and an ability to delay gratification.
The YMCA of Niagara is committed to building assets to help young people make wise decisions, choose positive paths and grow up competent, caring and responsible. Our staff who interact with children and youth have participated in training about the Asset Building approach. We have examined our existing programs to assess the Asset Building which is currently happening in our YMCA and strategies to expand upon our strong foundation. Our values-based program model, Early Years programs and the curriculum used in our child care centres demonstrate an asset-rich philosophy. As additional programs develop, we will ensure that there are opportunities to further enhance the experiences of children and youth using the Asset framework.
With the powerful impact Asset Building has on YMCAs and the potential power of YMCAs for building assets and building communities, YMCA Canada, YMCA of the USA and the Search Institute have joined together to create the Abundant Assets Alliance. This alliance is a natural collaboration that unites the YMCA movement with research and cutting-edge thinking on positive child, youth and teen development. The alliance seeks to strengthen the existing capacity of YMCAs to build strong kids, strong families, and strong communities in the framework, philosophy, and principles of developmental assets.
If you are interested in more information about the 40 Developmental Assets and what we are doing at our YMCA, please contact one of the Asset Building Committee members listed below or visit the Abundant Asset Alliance website at: www.abundantassets.org
Asset Building Committee Memebers:
David Wyllie, VP Development and Employment Services
Lisa DeGasperis, Regional Director, Children's Services
Jackie Kerry, Regional Director, Children's Services
Kelly Jones, Program Coordinator, Niagara Centre YMCA Branch
Erin McBride, Director of Camp and School Programs
