200 YMCA World Peace Week: inspire peace—Think it. Say it. Do it.

Kitchener – At its 2009 YMCA Peace Medallion Gala held November 18, the Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA celebrated the efforts by individuals and groups who inspire peace. The gala celebrated the impact made by all the nominees for this year’s YMCA Peace Medallions.

“In today’s globalized world, we are all connected to each other more than we may realize,” said Jen Jennifer Hazzard, International Supervisor, YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo. “Through sharing our message of peace we are able to inspire others to become engaged in peaceful actions. Our individual actions towards peace are key components of creating a healthier and more peaceful world.”

“We had a strong group of nominees this year. Selecting a recipient in each category was a difficult decision because each nominee has been making our community and world a better place. We selected three recipients that are outstanding examples of people who inspire peace but tonight we really celebrated the collective efforts of all the nominees.

The 2009 recipients are:

Strong Kid: David Zhang

David has taken initiative in the classroom and out to make a difference. He demonstrated his awareness of social responsibilities when he learned of a need at the Hua Yuan 3rd Middle School in Hunan, China and eagerly spear-headed fundraising to help a school in desperate need of repair, new desks and resources. David also saved his own resources to be able to join the rebuilding process during summer break. David also invited his class to take part in the fundraising, complete with a presentation and photos. He was able to visit and educate other classes in the school and bring them on board for this great cause.

This award was sponsored by Royal LePage Scharf Realty.

Strong Role Model: Lynn Schulze

Lynn is a teacher at WCI whose approach with young people places high priority on community involvement and volunteerism. She is an ESL teacher that encourages newcomer youth to become involved in their school community to better understand Canadian culture. She has used the arts to spread awareness and educate about diversity, acceptance and the newcomer experience. She shares her passion about local and global causes by setting an example to live by what you believe in. She facilitates the building of friendships so social support networks can form for newcomer youth and has been described as the bridge between Canadian culture and newcomers within the school. Lynn is a great role model for both children and adults as she models how to care for and engage newcomers to Canada. Her work in the school and out has had a positive impact on many.

Strong Community: CISV Jr. Branch

The Junior Branch (JB) of CISV (Children’s International Summer Village) believes that peace is possible through building of friendships with youth in the community nationally and globally, and that real difference can be made through children. JB believes it is crucial to increase cross cultural understanding and encouraging respect of everyone –regardless of race, religion, cultural background, gender or political views. They celebrate and educate others on the International Day of Elimination of Racial Discrimination through simulation games and in-depth discussions. The JB also has been involved in Earth Day clean-ups, running two weekend minicamps to increase tolerance, understanding and peace, creating holiday treats for seniors, and creating cookie-a-thons for local shelters in Kitchener-Waterloo. This youth group encourages its peers to explore the role that they can play in our community to make a difference locally that will encourage change on a larger scale.

This award was sponsored by the Waterloo Region Record.

YMCA Peace Week Continues

YMCA Peace Week officially runs from November 21 – 28 across Canada. There are several more events planned by the YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo to inspire people in Waterloo Region to make communities—at home and abroad—stronger, healthier places to live.

• Yoga for Peace on Tuesday, November 24 is a new event. The YMCAs encourage people to “awaken the spirit of peacemaking” by participating in a yoga class available free to all ages and abilities. They will take place at both the Chaplin Family YMCA at 8:45 a.m. and 8 p.m. and the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA at 10:30 a.m., 12 noon, 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. YMCAs across Canada are participating in this new activity

• The YMCA of Cambridge awards its Peace Medallions on Friday, November 27 at Cambridge City Hall at a ceremony following a 1 p.m. Citizenship Ceremony. It will begin at approximately 2 p.m. This event is in partnership with Citizenship & Immigration Canada. Admission is free. Although the YMCA incorporates peace building activities year round, during YMCA World Peace Week special emphasis is placed on teaching children and youth about the dimensions of peace.

The Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA plays a leading role in building a healthy community. It offers a range of diverse programs such as child care, immigrant settlement, an award-winning Outdoor Centre, YMCA Ontario Early Years Centres, and the health, fitness and recreation programs offered at the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA and YMCA RIM Park. The YMCA provides a friendly and safe place where everyone can come together and pursue good health—in spirit, mind, and body. Information on all its programs and services can be found online at: kwymca.org.