BUILDING A BETTER YFOR MANY HEALTHY RETURNS

Dear Members, I’m excited to have this opportunity to share the details of our $1.8 million expansion with you, our members and volunteers. You are the heart of our Association. Many of you are aware that the Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA received $1.2 million in federal and provincial funding last fall to renew and expand the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA. These funds have enabled us to get a head start on capital projects that were planned over the next few years. Our Association will be contributing a total of $600,000 to this project from our capital development budget and a community fundraising campaign. The project will be completed in spring 2011.

When the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA was opened in 1982, it was one of the first YMCAs deliberately designed to serve families. This unique focus made the Y a popular destination for people of all ages who were looking to connect with their community and participate in multiple activities. Membership grew rapidly and in response, the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA was expanded in 1986, 1998 and again in 2003/2004. Today the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA is a dynamic hub of activity. Our average monthly membership is over 7,000 people, with more than

50% of our core participants under the age of 18 years. Seniors and newcomers are growing segments of our membership.

Many people in our community do not enjoy good health. We know that in the years ahead, many more are at risk of developing serious health conditions in the prime of life. Childhood obesity, aging baby boomers and growing ethnic populations with special risk factors are trends which will clearly impact the health of our community. If we act now, we have an opportunity to promote good health, prevent disease and help more people sustain an active, healthy lifestyle.

To better meet the needs of our members and the community we serve, we will be making a significant investment in the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA over the next year. These changes will expand the capacity, enhance the programming options and promote the environmental sustainability of our membership facility. I hope you will take a few moments to learn more about the improvements planned for your A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA— all designed to enrich your experience as a YMCA member or volunteer, and intended to better serve a growing, changing community that relies upon our YMCA for a safe, healthy place to grow in Spirit, Mind and Body.

We’re building a better Y and I invite you to be part of the journey!

Yours truly,

John HaddockCEO, YMCAs of Cambridge and Kitchener-Waterloo

“We’re building a better Y … be part of the journey!”

ARK Newsletter #1- September 2010

Total Cost $1.8 millionFederal RInC Funding $600,000Provincial RInC Funding $600,000KW YMCA Contribution: $600,000 …  Capital Development Budget      $300,000  Building a Better Y:  Many Healthy Returns Campaign Goal: $300,000

• A 6,000 sq. ft. expansion of the facility’s second floor to increase capacity for a new and innovative range of fitness, health promotion and rehabilitation programming;

• A new elevator to the second floor to provide access to the track and the second floor addition for those who have mobility challenges;

• Indoor track resurfacing to reduce bone and joint injuries by providing needed cushioning and resiliency;• Renewed front entrance/lobby to improve access for people with mobility issues and extend the life of the

area and use of the overall facility.

 Repave Parking Lot (completed spring 2010) Upgrade all Lighting to T5 and T8 Technology (completed spring 2010) Replace Pool Windows (completed spring 2010) Install UV System for the Pool (completed spring 2010) Replace Boiler (completed spring 2010) Replace Track Windows Track Resurfacing Replace 4 HVACs Repair Roof Second Floor Addition New Front Entrance New Elevator

Project Summary

Project Highlights

Schedule of Projects

healthysupporting lifestyles

Changes in the health care system have led to services that used to be available in hospitals now being provided in the community by a number of different community service providers, including the YMCA. The YMCA is ideally suited to lead the preventative health cause given its unique role as a community resource, a builder of social capital and an organization that welcomes all and builds a sense of community where people are engaged. The new Smart Start to Healthy Living Program is an excellent example of how the Y can leverage its role to foster improved health outcomes for the people of Kitchener-Waterloo.

The Smart Start program will be launched this fall at the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA. It is a multi-week nutrition and exercise program for people living with diabetes or those on the cusp of a diagnosis of diabetes. The program is a collaborative effort, bringing the resources and expertise of the Canadian

Health Trends to Think About• According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, our children may be the first generation of kids

who may not live as long as their parents: 1 in 4 Canadian children are overweight or obese, putting them at risk of developing high blood pressure, heart disease and type 2 diabetes;

• A record number of baby boomers are entering their high-risk years. By 2020 the population of seniors will increase by more than 30%;

• Growing ethnic populations with special risk factors will contribute to increased pervasiveness of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Diabetes Association, the Kitchener Community Health Centre, and Grand River Hospital together with the Y to support people in making lifestyle changes to slow or reverse the progression of symptoms related to diabetes. The Ministry of Health Promotion has committed $46,456 to the Smart Start program, recognizing the potential of disease prevention and sound disease management to positively impact health.

The expansion of the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA will provide our Association with the opportunity to develop a whole host of innovative collaborative programs like Smart Start, Cardiac Rehabilitation and Beginner Fitness aimed at preventing disease and promoting good health.

Healthy Returns

and excerciseaccess to training for everyone

Our vision for the future is one in which all members of our community share an equal opportunity to be healthy throughout their lifetime. We know that there is a growing gap between those who are healthy and those who are not, yet we remain committed to our belief that everyone should be able to participate in the programs they need regardless of their ability to pay.

Member support, philanthropy and volunteerism make it possible for the Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA to level the playing field for the most vulnerable and at-risk people in our community. We are open and accessible to all regardless of financial circumstances, cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs, physical ability, age or gender. Our goal is to give all families and individuals the opportunity to participate in YMCA programs and activities. Dona-tions we receive from our YMCA family and the community are used to fund capital projects, support Y programs and services so that everyone can experience the benefits of an active, balanced and healthy lifestyle. Watch for more information in the months to come!

Building a Healthy Community

ARKFamilyY.ca

For more information about how you can support our charitable mission, please contact:

Kathy Wilson, Vice President Financial DevelopmentYMCAs of Cambridge and Kitchener-Waterloo

460 Frederick Street, Suite 203Kitchener, ON N2H 2P5

tel: 519-584-7479 ext. 216e-mail: kwilson@ckwymca.ca

The Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA’s Charitable Registration # BN 10757 2687 RR0001

The Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA Administration Offices460 Frederick Street, Suite 203Kitchener, ON N2H 2P5