News and Stories

As the Family Support Facilitator for the YMCA Young Parents Program, I am grateful to be able to make a difference in the lives of young mothers and families in our community.

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.

Ali Fraser and her three children—Mahala, Dream and Tally—moved to Kelowna in 2015 in search of a fresh start. After years on their First Nations reserve, Ali made the difficult decision to move her kids away from the only home they had ever known.