Our Y family is made of people from all walks of life who all want the same thing--to build the healthiest of communities for everyone to share in. Eric Mejorado, a fitness instructor at the YMCA of Northumberland (one of our fellow Y associations in Cobourg,Ontario), is a shining example of just how the Y can create change in people's lives--and how they can pay it forward. We're grateful to share his story with you here,originally published in the YMCA of Northumberland's 2014 Annual Report.
As a child growing up in Toronto, Eric's participation in YMCA youth programs and summer camps assisted him in building the footing to learn leadership skills. The YMCA became a place where he felt he belonged, was safe and connected. In Eric's words, he "considered himself to be part of the family".
In 1993, at the age of 23, Eric was diagnosed as HIV-positive. Facing insurmountable obstacles, he turned to alcohol and drugs to mask his feelings. At the time, life-saving drugs were not available as they are now; as such, Eric felt he had no hope and no future. Eric knew he needed to make a drastic change in his life if he was to survive. Three years after learning about his status and in desperate need of help, he joined the Positive Living Program at the Toronto Central Grosvenor YMCA in downtown Toronto. This program was instrumental in reintroducing him to the YMCA's values and programs he knew as a child, as well as offering alternative health therapies to assist him in living with his condition.
After some time living in Western Canada, Eric found himself struggling with his health and returned to Ontario with the idea that being near the support of his family would help. Eric settled in Port Hope, but soon faced another low point in his life as he struggled with being unemployed and suffered from several bouts of pneumonia. He began isolating himself from his friends and family and felt himself slipping once again into the too-familiar dark outlook on life.
Knowing what the Positive Living Program had done for him back in 1996, he knew he had to make a change again. Eric reached out to YMCA Northumberland. Being unemployed and living on disability, Eric joined with financial assistance from the YMCA Strong Kids Opportunity Fund.
With the positive values of caring, health, honesty and inclusiveness in mind, Eric decided to give back and pay it forward by working with the Y of Northumberland as a volunteer fitness instructor. By shadowing other instructors, Eric achieved his certification and gained confidence as a leader. His compassion, genuineness and positive attitude were visible, which led to a job offer as a fitness instructor.
Today, Eric is giving back every day, sharing his strength and courage in a way that serves him and his community. With the help of his new friends and colleagues at YMCA Northumberland, Eric considers himself in a better place in his life; blessed, stronger and a survivor!
For more information about the YMCA of Greater Toronto, please visit http://ymcagta.org
As a child growing up in Toronto, Eric's participation in YMCA youth programs and summer camps assisted him in building the footing to learn leadership skills. The YMCA became a place where he felt he belonged, was safe and connected. In Eric's words, he "considered himself to be part of the family".In 1993, at the age of 23, Eric was diagnosed as HIV-positive. Facing insurmountable obstacles, he turned to alcohol and drugs to mask his feelings. At the time, life-saving drugs were not available as they are now; as such, Eric felt he had no hope and no future. Eric knew he needed to make a drastic change in his life if he was to survive. Three years after learning about his status and in desperate need of help, he joined the Positive Living Program at the Toronto Central Grosvenor YMCA in downtown Toronto. This program was instrumental in reintroducing him to the YMCA's values and programs he knew as a child, as well as offering alternative health therapies to assist him in living with his condition.
After some time living in Western Canada, Eric found himself struggling with his health and returned to Ontario with the idea that being near the support of his family would help. Eric settled in Port Hope, but soon faced another low point in his life as he struggled with being unemployed and suffered from several bouts of pneumonia. He began isolating himself from his friends and family and felt himself slipping once again into the too-familiar dark outlook on life.
Knowing what the Positive Living Program had done for him back in 1996, he knew he had to make a change again. Eric reached out to YMCA Northumberland. Being unemployed and living on disability, Eric joined with financial assistance from the YMCA Strong Kids Opportunity Fund.
"I started to get stronger and optimistic. I was impressed with the staff and programs offered at YMCA Northumberland," says Eric. "The energy and enthusiasm from the caring instructors inspired me to volunteer."
With the positive values of caring, health, honesty and inclusiveness in mind, Eric decided to give back and pay it forward by working with the Y of Northumberland as a volunteer fitness instructor. By shadowing other instructors, Eric achieved his certification and gained confidence as a leader. His compassion, genuineness and positive attitude were visible, which led to a job offer as a fitness instructor.
Today, Eric is giving back every day, sharing his strength and courage in a way that serves him and his community. With the help of his new friends and colleagues at YMCA Northumberland, Eric considers himself in a better place in his life; blessed, stronger and a survivor!
For more information about the YMCA of Greater Toronto, please visit http://ymcagta.org
