My Y is Resilient Campaign gets big boost from Vale
Almost a year ago, the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario launched its My Y is Resilient Campaign, after losing $7 million because of the pandemic.
Vale has stepped up with a big donation to help the YMCA reach its goal of raising $1 million in Sudbury and in North Bay.
"Just like most charities, during COVID we lost a lot of money," said Helen Francis, YMCA president and CEO.
"We have a social enterprise model here that relies on our membership funds to support our programs and services."
Youth at day camp on Monday at the Y were shooting hoops with Vale executives to celebrate the mining giant's $200,000 donation to help the organization survive the huge financial impacts of the pandemic.
"For us -- and the callout I would have to all other industries and businesses in town -- is to go and support and actively get behind institutions like the YMCA," said Dino Otranto, the chief operating officer of North Atlantic Operations for Vale. "And get the funding into where it's required to get the people back into the facilities -- particularity post-pandemic."
Vale officials said their focus on fostering health and wellness at the Y is also fundamental to the company.
"The wellness and health of our employees is a No. 1 priority for us as an organization, so then again to support the youth here that you see behind us carries those values into employment when they come into our sector, for instance," said Otranto.
Officials at the Y said right now the return to normal programming is going slow, but registrations for fall programs start next week and hours are being extended.
"We obviously still have capacity restrictions as necessary but we are hopeful as more and more people get vaccinated that we will start to see an increase in return to these facilities," said Francis.
The $200,000 donation from Vale will stay in Sudbury and YMCA officials confirm it will be spent on needed upgrades on the 21-year-old building, including a new wooden floor in the gym.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.