YMCA of Greater Toronto Wins Top Employer Award for Young People
TORONTO – January 18, 2019 – Today the YMCA of Greater Toronto (“YMCA” or “the Y”) was named one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People for the ninth year. This special designation recognizes employers who offer the best programs and initiatives to attract and retain younger workers just starting their careers.
The YMCA provides employment opportunities for youth regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, race, religion, income level, sexual orientation or ability. In 2018 the YMCA GTA provided 1,300 student placements for young people under the age of 29 and hired 1,045 seasonal summer staff with the average age of 21.
Whether a young person is a high school student or a recent graduate, there are many reasons to work at the Y. Ensuring that a diverse range of training and development opportunities are accessible to young staff and volunteers is a key component in helping them succeed. From orientation to offering unique learning opportunities, including international experiences and scholarships, there are many ways for youth to develop and grow at the Y.
“So much of what we do centres around making our communities home to the healthiest children, teens and young adults so it’s a true honour to receive this award for our efforts to give young people a strong start,” said Medhat Mahdy, President and CEO of YMCA of Greater Toronto. “Creating positive employment opportunities for young people across the Greater Toronto Area to thrive is at the core of our commitment to diversity and social inclusion.”
Chayanika Sonnadara was first introduced to the YMCA of Greater Toronto as a day camper and Youth Leadership Development participant. Now a full-time staff person working as a program coordinator, she says she was fortunate to start working for the YMCA early in her career, too. “At the Y, your age is not a barrier to your involvement or an impediment to your voice being heard,” Sonnadara says. “We have input into how we do our jobs and serve our communities. On our team, there is a level of transparency that encourages learning within my role and beyond.”
The YMCA of Greater Toronto is incredibly fortunate to be able to benefit from the skills and contributions of young staff and volunteers, as well as from the experience and engagement of their mentors and employees of all ages.
The YMCA of Greater Toronto offers a range of employment opportunities for a variety of roles including early childhood educators, fitness professionals, employment counsellors, camp counsellors and outdoor educators at 440 locations stretching from Milton to Clarington and Toronto to Shelburne. In addition to being among the 2019 Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for Young People, the YMCA of Greater Toronto was also recognized in 2018 among Greater Toronto’s Top Employers, a best diversity employer and a green employer. With a healthy and enrichening environment, staff are able to fuel their passion with fulfilling work that helps the YMCA achieve its mission.
For more information contact:
Communications, YMCA of Greater Toronto, media@ymcagta.org
