Profile of a Staff - YMCA

Downtown YMCA Centre Newsleer
Director's Corner
To all, Hello, ¡Hola, Bonjour, Olá, Hallå,
Boker Tov, etc..,
Another busy year is ending. Busy indeed!
Here are just some of the events that
have marked 2012:
Profile of a Staff
EDITH WERBEL, INSTRUCTOR IN THE WEIGHT ROOM
We had the pleasure to chat with Edith
Werbel, a YMCA instructor in the weight
room, and asked her couple of ques‐
ons.
Why did your choose fitness as a career?
Winter 2012 | Issue 3 | Downtown YMCA
1. An awareness campaign to our members
outlining the impact of some of
our community programs (February
and March);
2. A hugely successful spinothon held on
February 25, raising more than
$6,500 for our center's community
programs;
3. Shortages of hot water during peak
periods, a complex problem finally
resolved in March;
4. Significant reducon in the waing
me to get one of your three free
training programs, down from more
than 20 days to less than 10 days
(April);
5. The May 29 torrenal rains caused
significant damage to the gym and
destroyed the men's PLUS locker
room sauna;
6. The pool's le groung was almost
completely redone (August); and
7. The PLUS locker rooms, men and women,
were renovated (August and
September).
[Connue on page 2]
“Two years ago, I was stuck behind a
desk in an unfulfilling job. That's when I
decided to take the F.I.T. program at the
Downtown Y. I loved every minute of it,
learnt so much and upon compleon, I
launched right into my new fitness career.
I now work full me in the industry
and it has proven to be the perfect job
for me. I enjoy a genuine sense of
helping people become healthier and
stronger, and this is especially true with
my senior clients. My training at the Y's
F.I.T. program also gave me the tools to
train myself beer. “
Congratulaons Edith! Why did you
choose the YMCA to work or and to study?
“I chose to study and work at the YMCA
for a few reasons. But mostly because
the Downtown YMCA is an instuon,
respected and known by all and that for
good reasons. “
What also movates you to keep on
working for the YMCA?
“Personally, I've always respected the
Centre for its focus on community, and
that's exactly what keeps me here. I really
appreciate the people at YMCA, both
staff and members! ”
Edith feels that she is in the best shape
of her life, she recently competed in her
First Physique Compeon (fitness model)
and won first place! She also just
won her first professional compeon!
Edith feels that she is on the path to
great things, both personally and professionally.
Bassel Youssef
Director, Health, Fitness and Recreaon
For more informaon on the F.I.T. program please
visit: hp://goo.gl/2QxNp

(The Director's Corner cont’d )
SERVICE TO OUR MEMBERS
TOWEL RENTAL SERVICE
TELL US YOUR STORY!
As of January 2013, you will now have to buy tokens at a cost of
$2, that you will then exchange for a towel instead of paying at
the counter.
We are confident that this new measure will help to reduce
congeson during peak hours.
Why not purchase tokens prior to your next visit to save me?
The Downtown YMCA would like to know more about your story with us. We invite all
interested members to share their memories or the personal impact of the Downtown YMCA
on your life via email or to share with us your archives (photos, training programs, etc.). For
more informaon, please contact Marie‐Claude Ravary, Head of Communicaons and
Fundraising (marie‐claude.ravary@ymcabec.org / 514 849‐8393).
I also want to bring to your aenon
that to date over $64,000 have been
collected for our community
programs compared to $44,000 in
2011. A very warm and heart felt
thank you to the 60 volunteers and
staff who made this great
performance possible and many
thanks to all our donors, both regular
and first me.
What will 2013 bring us? Well, we
will purchase approximately
$55,000’s worth of new cardio
equipment and connue to invest in
the upkeep and maintenance of our
facilies. We have also added one
person to our team to ensure we are
listening and communicang more
effecvely with you. Her name is
Marie‐Claude Ravary, Head of
Communicaons and Fundraising.
She can be reached at
marie‐claude.ravary@ymcabec.org
or 514 849‐8393.
In closing, dear members, allow me
to thank you for your warm welcome
during my first year as the
Downtown YMCA Center Director. It
has been a pleasure to serve you and
to make, to the extent possible, your
experience more enjoyable. I also
want to thank all the staff and
volunteers who assist you with a
smile and help you 363 days a year,
rain or shine!
Have a very happy Holiday Season
and I hope that 2013 brings you
much happiness!
RESULTS FROM THE DRAW OF OUR HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
Godiva gi basket products, along with a Downtown YMCA gi card (value of 2 months
subscripon.
Mme Filomena Piccolo
Mme Alexandria Wardrope
Pierre Myrand
Director
Sports bag, water bole and a Downtown YMCA gi card (value of 1 month subscripon).
Mme Marcella Suarez
M. Demici Arzo
2 ‐ Winter 2012 | Issue 3 | The YMCAs of Québec | Downtown

Fundraising campaign of the Downtown YMCA
While the bulk of our fundraising campaign events are held in the spring, you can make a donaon throughout
the year. Here is just some example of fundrasing acvies that you could organize at the Downtown YMCA.
FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES
Thursday, November 29, 2012, the Downtown YMCA welcomed
twenty people working for Standard Life Investments for a
private Spinothon.
This fundraising event, jointly organized with the YMCA Du
Parc, raised a total of $3,000! The money will be dedicated to
our Downtown First Stop program and community programs at
the YMCA Du Parc.
Specifically, this money will allow First Stop to offer addional
assistance to at least twenty vulnerable people arriving at the
Gare d'Autocars de Montréal (Montreal’s Bus Staon); such as
a bus cket to return home, refuge, or clothing and so on.
Remember that this program focuses on prevenng
homelessness and criminal recruitment (prostuon, drug
trafficking).
A big thank you to all Standard Life Investments parcipants.!
HOLIDAY CELEBRATION!
Thursday, December 13, the Downtown YMCA’s team hosted
the members’ annual holiday season buffet. More than 200
people showed up! The team enjoyed talking with our
members of many years, but we also had the pleasure to meet
those who have recently joined us!
As usual, our members have been very generous giving a total
of nearly 10 boxes of non‐perishable food that will be given to
Fondaon d’aide directe Sida‐Montréal (Direct AIDS Foundaon
Montreal).
Many of you also parcipated in our draw of four gi baskets.
This acvity raised nearly $ 800, which will be directly injected
into the campaign for our community programs.
EMPTY YOUR DRAWERS!
In recent weeks, many of you have seen these
blue posters informing you of the partnership
between the Dialogue team of Downtown
YMCA and the Benedict Labre House.
You were very enthusiast to respond to our call
inving you to dig through your drawers to find
winter underwear or accessories that you, or your family, no
longer use.
Thanks to you, we raised more than 20 boxes of goods that will
benefit many homeless people! We are very thankful you for
your generosity!
Mark your
calendars !
We inform you that our next Super Spinothon for the fundraising campaign of the Downtown
YMCA will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2013. Save the date! More informaon will follow
in January.
Downtown | The YMCAs of Québec | | Issue 3 | Winter 2012 | 3

Health, Fitness
and Recreation
THE DOWMTOWN YMCA – A SECOND HOME!
Patrick Tee, Member of Downtown YMCA
Patrick Tee was born in the UK in 1935. He came to
Canada in 1957 and worked for 10 years in data
processing. That same year, he became a member of the
Downtown YMCA and joined the weightliing team. In
1977, he became an instructor, a posion he held unl
1987. He also taught at John Abbo College from 1972 to
2004, the year of his rerement.
At the Downtown YMCA, Patrick parcularly enjoys
acvies such as weight‐training and cardio (stair master),
that he pracces five mes a week while socializing with
other members.
In some ways, he perceives the Downtown YMCA as a second
home. This feeling began shortly aer his arrival in Canada,
when he was a young man aged 22, completely bewildered by
this new world laid before him.
So why, decades aer his liing career ended, has he
maintained his membership in our Centre? Well, mainly
because, he has always appreciated the all‐round friendliness of
our members and staff. It’s been that way since he became a
member. But this is not all. Patrick believes that the main
reason for the YMCA’s special appeal is the fact that our
organizaon welcomes people from all walks of life and
all cultures.
It is as if, once we're in our sportswear, we are all the same,
regardless of where we come from. So with surprising ease
bankers mingle with bouncers, and beginners interact with
more experienced members. For Patrick, it's really special, if
not valuable.
What impresses him even more at the YMCA, is the range of
acvies offered to members, which, frankly, puts a shade over
our competors, as well as the indoor running track and a nice
coffee shop. And that's not to menon if he wishes to take a
language course, he just has to go to the 4th floor of the
Centre!
Patrick has many other interests, such as music (country, rock
of the era of the Rolling Stones, New Orleans jazz, opera),
wring, volunteering for charity organizaons, running errands
for a disabled friend or even, tutoring a deaf college student.
Patrick was just telling me: "I could go on about why I feel such
a strong and lasng aachment to the YMCA, but space
forbids! So all I will add is this: I can’t think of no beer place
than here to spend my rerement mornings, five mes
a week."
Bassel Youssef
Director, Health, Fitness and Recreaon
FORETASTE OF AN ARTICLE TO BE
PUBLISHED IN OUR NEXT ISSUE
“ Want to enjoy a lifeme of exercise? Make sure you wear
the right shoes that best suit your feet. Shoes are made
for all types of feet and acons, and knowing your foot
type can aid you in selecng shoes that will help prevent
injury. […] ”
4 | Winter 2012 | Issue 3 | The YMCAs of Québec | Downtown

Child Development
Community Initiatives
LEARNING BELLY DANCING!
Exercise starts at a very young age in
the daycare. The children play outside,
or in the studio, twice a day to ensure
they have plenty of physical acvity.
Since the kids love to listen and dance
to music, we decided to try something
new and different: belly dancing. Belly
dance is a non‐impact, weight‐bearing
exercise and is thus suitable for all
ages.
Rabab Mari has volunteered her me
to do belly dancing and movements
with all the different age groups. Born
and raised in the Middle East, this type
of dance is not new to her.
Her first class began with a group of
eighteen month to two and a half year
olds. She noced the kids loved to
move to any kind of music. Her special
skirt adorned with shiny circles caught
the aenon of the kids, and each one
of them wanted to try it on and dance
while making the circles move. The
next class to take place will be with the
three year olds. We’ll keep you posted!
Marilyn Polsky
Director, Child Development
ANNUAL GATHERING OF
DOWNTOWN YMCA COMMUNITY
INITIATIVES STAFF
For the second consecuve year, the
enre team of the community
iniaves met on the Mount Royal on
October 12, 2012. This gathering
allows newcomers to get to know
their colleagues in a fun atmosphere
but also affords the opportunity to
thank all of them for their wonderful
work.
The dedicaon of this team makes it
possible to help 11,000 people from
the downtown area (vulnerable,
resourceless, marginalized or
homeless, as well as seniors and
youth).
LAST MINUTE NEWS
I wish to share with you great news if
not, a great success. Our daycare
center, under the leadership of Marilyn
Polsky has passed with honors its
annual compliance assessment vis‐à‐vis
the YMCA "Playing to Learn" standards
that characterize our philosophy and
how we take care of the children
entrusted to us.
Thanks to the very dedicated staff, our
daycare achieved a score of 95% while
last year they had a score of « only »
89%!!!
What a great performance! Thank you
and congratulaons to the enre team
of Amanda, Amy, Ann, Cheryl, Chrisna
and Rosa, without forgeng the
maestro, Marilyn.
Join me in congratulang them, or pass
by the daycare.
Pierre Myrand
Director
This event took place in a community
spirit and was punctuated by a
collecve meal, followed by a few
games and even, a treasure hunt
organized by the counsellors of Camp
Kanawana.
Thank you team! You are the best!
Art Campbell
Director, Community Iniaves
[Connue on page 6]
Downtown | The YMCAs of Québec | | Issue 3 | Winter 2012 | 5

Community initiatives (cond’t)
THE IMPACT OF YOUR DONATIONS FOR OUR COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
Youth Zone ‐ Empowering our Youth
Youth Zone has experienced significant restructuring to ensure
that all personnel have training and experience in social work,
intervenon and basic project management. The impact has
been overwhelming for the Youth Zone. In 2012, 350 kids
parcipated in our programming; which is significantly more
than the previous year!
For the year 2013, we hope to raise enough money to allow us to
hire another qualified staff so we can offer our youth a
smulang environment for the healthy development of their
social skills, leadership and their ability to resolve conflicts.
The Rendez‐vous Y ‐ “Un‐isolang” our seniors
Every day, 30 to 40 seniors meet in our Center to socialize and
even, for some, to parcipate in physical acvies geared
towards their needs. In just one year, we have increased our
client base by 50 people; reaching 150 members. No need to
emphasize that without our program, these people would be at
risk of isolaon, which is sadly too oen seen in this age group of
the populaon.
Your generosity will allow us to maintain this program whose
mission is to break isolaon thru empowerment (i.e. encouraging
our seniors to take an acve role in the program).
Dialogue ‐ Geng homeless people off the street
This year we helped 27 people in their journey to leave the
street. We are also intensely supporng 90 more in their search
for autonomy and control of their lives, while staying in contact
with another 300. This summer, we launched a new program
inving 35 parcipants from Desnaon Centre‐ville and the
centre L’Ancrage of the Salvaon Army to parcipate in team
sports every Wednesday and Friday. This acvity is made
possible thanks to the involvement of eight volunteers.
First Stop ‐ Homeless and prostuon prevenon
Think of this, upon arrival at the Gare d'Autocars de Montréal
(Montreal’s Bus Staon), for more than one out of ten vulnerable
youth the first person he/she meets when walking out the door
is a pimp or a drug dealer. This alarming figure rises to 50%
within the first week! Imagine being in a new city, with no
resources and receiving that sort of welcome upon your arrival…
The money raised will enable us to assist 500 people each year
and, should they wish, pay the bus ride back home to
approximately 100 of them.
Art Campbell
Director, Community Iniaves
Your donaons will allow us to support approximately twenty
homeless people, and help five of them leave the streets.
Mission
The The YMCAs of Québec is a charitable organizaon that contributes to
the development of spirit, mind, and body, and to the well‐being of
individuals, families, and communies.
The YMCAs of Québec | Downtown
1440 Stanley Street
Montréal (Québec) H3A 1P7
T: 514‐849‐8393
URL du Centre: hp://goo.gl/i3Apk
Editorial team: Pierre Myrand, Bassel Youssef, Marilyn Polsky,
Art Campbell et Marie‐Claude Ravary
ymcaquebec.org
6 | Winter 2012 | Issue 3 | The YMCAs of Québec | Downtown