News and Stories

Myself (Leonardo), my wife Claudia, and my son Miguel moved from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Kelowna in May 2017. We were in search of a better future for Miguel that would be safer, as well as more economically and politically stable.

Joyce has been a Kelowna Family YMCA member for the last five years. Neither financial barriers nor living with COPD and osteoporosis has stopped Joyce from attending the Y’s Healthy Hearts program three days a week.

When we first moved to Kelowna, my mom, dad and two sisters were sharing a one-bedroom hotel room and there was no space for me, so I lived out of a van on the street. I was in a really bad spot — both emotionally and mentally. I had low self-esteem, was fighting depression and didn’t have the confidence to be independent or employable.

Crystal was a teenage mother who was forced to drop out of high school to raise her two young sons. Despite these obstacles, she went back to school and graduated at age 21 with honours.

My name is Kaylee Cornish, and I see the impact of donor gifts every day. After 7 incredible years working at the Kelowna Family YMCA, I resigned to pursue my dream of becoming an LPN. Leaving was tough because I consider so many Y members my friends and because the Y had become my second home.

“A year ago, my fitness regime consisted of fighting the jets in the hot tub. Now, at 69 years old, I participate in TRX and yoga classes three times a week. Thanks to the YMCA, I have been able to drastically improve my balance, stabilize my weight, and increase my energy levels.