News and Stories

Becoming a mother is never easy, but having kids in my teen years created a set of barriers that seemed impossible to overcome at the time. At the age of 20, I found myself a single mom of two with the weight of the world on my shoulders. The idea of pursuing my own personal and professional development, which I always valued, seemed unimaginable and I worried about our finances.

National Volunteer Week was created to celebrate all volunteers, including Jill Siebert who has contributed over 10,000 hours helping thousands of Okanagan children develop invaluable water safety skills through Y swim lessons.

A parent’s worst nightmare turned into a happy celebration earlier this month when nine year old, Alexis Edall, rescued a toddler who fell into the pool.  Alexis’ mother is extremely proud of her daughter who was quick to act, demonstrating the life-saving skills she had recently learned in a YMCA spring break aquatic seal camp.

What is your position/title and company, and what do you do there? Susan Byrom, Executive Director, Community Investment and First West Foundation

What is your position/title and company, and what do you do there? Ray Warren, Vice President Commercial Financial Services. As Vice President Commercial Banking for the Okanagan and West Kootenays, I lead a dynamic team of Relationship Account Managers, who work closely with clients in a collaborative manner to help them plan and achieve their business objectives. 

I owe a great deal to my parents, Eugene and Chris McFarlane. I was a shy child who lacked self-confidence and we were not well-off growing up in Windsor, ON in the 1950’s. Dad only made $1200 per year, but he and my mom were determined to help me gain skills to survive in an environment surrounded by water. They scrimped and saved $9 for a year’s membership in the Windsor YMCA.