Healthy Communities • Support the Y
Newcomer family finds feeling of ‘home’ at the YMCA
16 May 2019 - by YMCA of Greater Toronto
Coming to a new country isn’t easy. For the Pupovac family, leaving Serbia four years ago meant facing the prospect of building all-new connections, friendships, and community.
Sinisa—who arrived first to start the family’s settlement process—was eager to find a safe, inclusive place for his wife, Danijela, and two boys, Bosco (16) and Vuk (10) to go, especially after school.
Fortunately, the Pupovacs discovered the North York YMCA. “The staff told us about financial assistance, making it possible for us to join,” says Danijela. Here, she enjoys her weekly yoga class, where she’s forged many new friendships. “I love it! And one of my new yoga friends is actually my neighbour, so now we go together,” she says.
Sinisa enjoys the warm welcome he receives every time he comes in for a workout. For Bosko, the Y provides opportunities to get active, have fun, and get involved. “It’s a great place to hang out with my friends and play basketball, it’s really social,” explains Bosko. “I’ve also volunteered at the Y, helping the swim instructors and kids.”
And Vuk, who was born with Cerebral Palsy, has truly come into his own at the Y. Here, he’s finally taking part in his favourite activity, swimming.
In Serbia, Vuk only had access to a small pool at a hospital. But swimming is a great activity for people with Cerebral Palsy, offering cardiovascular exercise and muscle-tension relief. Initially, he wasn’t sure if he’d be good at it. But then he met Gloria Roldan, his instructor.
“Vuk was really shy and unsure at first. He wasn’t able to float,” recalls Gloria. “But almost immediately after his initial class, he began progressing fast.”
Gloria worked closely with Vuk during one-on-one classes. But while she did provide unwavering support, it was Vuk’s own inner strength and ability that made all the difference. Today, his confidence in the water is unshakable.
He loves the independence of being able to enjoy an activity on his own. And his parents are happy too, knowing Vuk’s safe and having fun.
Opening opportunities for others
Vuk even took part in the YMCA Sweat For Good Challenge. The Y’s biggest fundraising event, the weeklong series of fitness challenges sees members raise money to help create more spaces for children and families to thrive. “I wanted to help fundraise so other kids could take swim classes, too,” explains Vuk. On the big day, he did an hour in the pool, raising $600 for his new community.
Vuk’s parents proudly remember the moment. “He wanted to make sure his contribution would do something good, for the long term, in the lives of others,” says Sinisa. “It’s been a great life lesson for him.”
Ultimately, explains Sinisa, the biggest benefit the Pupovacs are enjoying at the Y is belonging. “The Y’s been great for our family—it feels like home here,” he says.
Make your community an inclusive space where everyone has a chance to thrive. Support families like the Pupovacs today.
Sinisa—who arrived first to start the family’s settlement process—was eager to find a safe, inclusive place for his wife, Danijela, and two boys, Bosco (16) and Vuk (10) to go, especially after school.
Fortunately, the Pupovacs discovered the North York YMCA. “The staff told us about financial assistance, making it possible for us to join,” says Danijela. Here, she enjoys her weekly yoga class, where she’s forged many new friendships. “I love it! And one of my new yoga friends is actually my neighbour, so now we go together,” she says.
Sinisa enjoys the warm welcome he receives every time he comes in for a workout. For Bosko, the Y provides opportunities to get active, have fun, and get involved. “It’s a great place to hang out with my friends and play basketball, it’s really social,” explains Bosko. “I’ve also volunteered at the Y, helping the swim instructors and kids.”
And Vuk, who was born with Cerebral Palsy, has truly come into his own at the Y. Here, he’s finally taking part in his favourite activity, swimming.
In Serbia, Vuk only had access to a small pool at a hospital. But swimming is a great activity for people with Cerebral Palsy, offering cardiovascular exercise and muscle-tension relief. Initially, he wasn’t sure if he’d be good at it. But then he met Gloria Roldan, his instructor.
“Vuk was really shy and unsure at first. He wasn’t able to float,” recalls Gloria. “But almost immediately after his initial class, he began progressing fast.”
Gloria worked closely with Vuk during one-on-one classes. But while she did provide unwavering support, it was Vuk’s own inner strength and ability that made all the difference. Today, his confidence in the water is unshakable.
“In Serbia, I couldn’t swim at all—my parents had to help me,” says Vuk. “Not anymore.”
He loves the independence of being able to enjoy an activity on his own. And his parents are happy too, knowing Vuk’s safe and having fun.
Opening opportunities for others
Vuk even took part in the YMCA Sweat For Good Challenge. The Y’s biggest fundraising event, the weeklong series of fitness challenges sees members raise money to help create more spaces for children and families to thrive. “I wanted to help fundraise so other kids could take swim classes, too,” explains Vuk. On the big day, he did an hour in the pool, raising $600 for his new community.
Vuk’s parents proudly remember the moment. “He wanted to make sure his contribution would do something good, for the long term, in the lives of others,” says Sinisa. “It’s been a great life lesson for him.”
Ultimately, explains Sinisa, the biggest benefit the Pupovacs are enjoying at the Y is belonging. “The Y’s been great for our family—it feels like home here,” he says.
Make your community an inclusive space where everyone has a chance to thrive. Support families like the Pupovacs today.
