Y Stories • YMCA Events
Celebrating staff for their years of service
12 December 2017 - by YMCA of Greater Toronto
As a Top Employer for ten years in a row, one element that sets the Y apart is the amount of long-service staff who continue to dedicate themselves to our mission, vision, and values. On December 7th, the YMCA of Greater Toronto held its annual Service Recognition Event, Standing Ovation. This event honours long-serving staff who have reached five-year milestones of between 10 and 40 (yes, 40!) years of service.
Held at the Toronto Central Grosvenor St. YMCA Centre, the evening is always special, as old and new colleagues and friends come together to share memories, have a laugh, celebrate, and be recognized for their career achievements.
This year, 192 staff reached a career milestone, including 11 staff who celebrated their 25 year service milestone and 10 who celebrated 30 years of service. They were recognized by President and CEO Medhat Mahdy, Board Vice Chair Ryan Brain, and senior leaders of the YMCA.
“The YMCA has been an instrumental part of my personal and professional life,” says Colleen Stewart, celebrating 20 years of service. “I’ve grown up in the YMCA, from a kid attending after school programs, summer camps, high school co-op, and my first job. Since then, I have continued to develop my professional life within the organization and there’s no other place I’d rather be. Here’s to 20 more years at the YMCA!”
Here at the Y, we have over 5,000 employees who are committed to the Y’s values and mission, and deliver top notch service, resources, and programming to the members in their care.
“I appreciated the wonderful opportunity to celebrate my years of service with so many of my colleagues,” says Donna Morrison, who reached her 30 year service milestone. “It was a very special evening to congratulate one another, enjoy a lovely dinner and feel valued and appreciated for our contributions.”
These staff, and their colleagues who have celebrated milestones before, have been with the Y through many years of growth and achievement. The knowledge and experience they bring to work with them every day is invaluable, and the Y is so fortunate and grateful to be a part of their passion, dedication, and expertise.
Held at the Toronto Central Grosvenor St. YMCA Centre, the evening is always special, as old and new colleagues and friends come together to share memories, have a laugh, celebrate, and be recognized for their career achievements.
This year, 192 staff reached a career milestone, including 11 staff who celebrated their 25 year service milestone and 10 who celebrated 30 years of service. They were recognized by President and CEO Medhat Mahdy, Board Vice Chair Ryan Brain, and senior leaders of the YMCA.
“The YMCA has been an instrumental part of my personal and professional life,” says Colleen Stewart, celebrating 20 years of service. “I’ve grown up in the YMCA, from a kid attending after school programs, summer camps, high school co-op, and my first job. Since then, I have continued to develop my professional life within the organization and there’s no other place I’d rather be. Here’s to 20 more years at the YMCA!”
Here at the Y, we have over 5,000 employees who are committed to the Y’s values and mission, and deliver top notch service, resources, and programming to the members in their care.
“I appreciated the wonderful opportunity to celebrate my years of service with so many of my colleagues,” says Donna Morrison, who reached her 30 year service milestone. “It was a very special evening to congratulate one another, enjoy a lovely dinner and feel valued and appreciated for our contributions.”
These staff, and their colleagues who have celebrated milestones before, have been with the Y through many years of growth and achievement. The knowledge and experience they bring to work with them every day is invaluable, and the Y is so fortunate and grateful to be a part of their passion, dedication, and expertise.
