What is your name?
Dana Chapman
What is your position with the Y?
Family Navigator
What Y centre/program do you work with?
Penticton YMCA Early Years; Family Playtime Program
What do you always find yourself saying?
Where is my… phone/keys/purse?
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Maybe its cliche but my family. I have 2 wonderful children and when my husband and I get to have uninterrupted family time all together, that's my favourite thing in the world.
If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
I have no idea, but I would hope it would be for being a positive influence in the community.
Please explain one fond memory you have of the Y.
I have several but I was invited to a team build just as I was finishing a short position and wasn’t expecting to return anytime soon. We had such a great time talking, laughing and exploring our surrounding community. It was just such a fun day. Another memory that will stay with me forever was when I came back for an impromptu visit with my manager to ask if there were any positions opening up because I would like to return if possible, he got tears in his eyes and then so did I. It was a moment that filled me right up, it was a validation that I was appreciated and I knew I was “home”.
What are you doing to stay connected while at home?
During lockdown I had 3 high school friends who had planned to come out to a festival in Penticton that obviously was canceled. We started a Saturday afternoon Zoom call in late March and are still meeting every second weekend. It’s really strengthened our friendship even after 20+ years we know so much about each other's current lives and live all over Alberta and BC. It’s definitely something positive that has come out of this unprecedented time.
Are you staying connected with your Y family during this time, and if so, how?
We have an incredible manager. She is a natural leader, a natural uplifter and has a passion for challenging us for a deeper connection not only within ourselves but with our team. We’ve had zoom call meetings, virtual games nights, socially distanced picnics and meet ups. We have a great team who truly care about each other so we often check in with each other outside of work too.
Where is your favourite place to “dine”/order takeout in the Okanagan right now?
I absolutely love Tratto Pizzeria. I met the owner his first few weeks after moving to Penticton when his restaurant was still a dream. To watch his dream come to fruition was so amazing. The food and service are incredible so it’s a place I absolutely love to eat at and support.
What is your favourite activity while social distancing in the Okanagan?
We loved heading to the beach in the summer, it felt “normal” and was only minimally different to do while socially distancing. Fall is upon us and I can’t wait to get my kiddos out for more hikes.
Who inspires you (within your Y family or elsewhere)?
My whole Y family inspires me, I’m especially grateful for my past (Jared Hidber) and current manager (Shelley Hunt). Outside of my Y family I have some great girlfriends. We’re all about encouraging each other and cheering each other on. We only want the best for each other. They’re all unique and beautiful in their own special way.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
- To live or have an extended holiday (3 months +) abroad, namely Italy or Spain.
- To be able to send my parents on a holiday.
- To hike to Machu Picchu.
Tell us about a defining moment in your life.
Being able to be with my grandmother when she passed away. While it was a time filled with heartache, she was “my person” throughout my entire life. No one knew me like her, we had an extremely special bond. There was something very special about holding her hand, comforting her and walking her quietly to the other side. Just the two of us. We had never spoken a negative word to each other ever. There was only love.
What are you passionate about?
Being the best role model I can be, I taught dance for years, became a mother and am now at the YMCA spending my days with young children. I think being a positive role model to children and teens is so important. Whether adults realize it or not, we teach through our words AND actions. Sometimes as adults we need to stop and “dig deep” and say or do the most appropriate thing even if it’s hard. Little eyes and ears are watching and listening and will emulate how we respond in any given situation.
What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
I loved everything about my wedding day. The energy of my husband and I, watching all of our decisions come together and creating a beautiful atmosphere, the incredible lake view from our rooftop venue and watching all of our family and friends really enjoy themselves. There’s nothing I would have done differently.
What do you miss the most about your Y?
Things are slowly returning to in-person work however the extra precautions; plexiglass, PPE, distancing in the office, constant sanitization, are a reminder that things have changed drastically and may never return to the previous way.
If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
I’m excited about the prospect of taking courses to educate myself further in early childhood.
What 3 qualities do you feel your Y exemplifies?
Respect, appreciating and embracing each other's uniqueness, and having care and concern for each other. I've never been part of a better more authentic team than I am with now.
How does your team/facility/program make a difference every day?
I love the opportunity our program has for new parents to connect with one another, for their children to socialize and to interact with other children, watching their creativity or mastering a new skill. We also are a liaison between families and community supports and resources. I love that something as simple as a free play space can be a positive, supportive touchstone for families.
What words of encouragement would you say to our Y member/participants/families right now?
I want families in the community to know that the Y is filled with volunteers and employees who truly want and are passionate about making a difference for people and the communities they live/work in.
What would you like to say to your fellow staff/volunteer team?
Thank you for welcoming me with open arms, for seeing something in me and helping draw it out to grow as a person and community member.
How has your role changed during COVID?
We no longer have a free flow drop-in program. Families must pre-register a set time and day and have a brief health check upon arrival and before entering the play space. We sanitize all toys between sessions or switch out toys with fresh ones and have a limited number of families at each session to allow for social distancing.
What does community mean to you?
Community means being a part of a collective of good people; people who encourage and care about others, it also means being a part of the solution and wanting to put in the effort to make positive change.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I’m in the right position, I just LOVE children, and as a parent I really enjoy swapping parent stories that we can all relate to and appreciate having experiences with my own children to be able to give parents examples of what did or didn’t work for me, and also holding space for parenting choices others make. It truly takes a village and I’m grateful to be a part of the families who attend our program.
What Y team member would you like to give a shout-out to and why?
I want to Shout out the whole Jump Start Team; Peter, Kristen and a new member to the Penticton team Leilani. I love the program and hearing about the positive difference and opportunities they are helping create for the young people in our community. They are driven and take their job seriously but are such a fun group of people.