One Child at a Time - Adam’s Story

Ten year old Adam beams when he talks about Y Summer Camp and the daily joys he experiences there. He’s especially excited about the field trips he gets to attend, the honey bee farm being his absolute favorite. Perhaps the biggest change in Adam’s life is that he has become eager to share his feelings and is willing to open up to children his own age.

Adam’s grandmother, June, said the changes in him are dramatic – just one year ago June had to rescue Adam from his mother, who was an addict, and was emotionally and physically neglecting him. As a result of his environment Adam was very small, shy, he was being bullied at school and struggled to relate to children and adults in a healthy way, leaving him socially isolated.

June moved Adam into her home located in a 55+ mobile park home in Kelowna, and despite physical disabilities and her financial circumstance, she began to try and rebuild a childhood that Adam had been so unfortunately deprived.

“I recognized the importance of finding a camp that would nurture his fragile nature and allow Adam to overcome,” said June.

The challenge was finding a summer program that she could afford on her limited income that offered the opportunity for creative learning, exploration and play.

“I discovered the summer camp programs offered by the Y and knew it was perfect for Adam, and after learning that he could attend thanks to financial assistance I realized this could be a reality for him.”

Meeting Adam now you would never know that he had such a hard start at life. He socializes, laughs and anticipates with great excitement the weeks ahead of camp and what new experiences they will bring. June looks forward to enrolling him in other Y programs this fall to keep him growing and thriving in a positive direction.

“I didn’t know the Y provided assistance, I can’t begin to express my gratitude to the wonderful donors who make this a reality for my grandson, our lives are better now because of them and the Y, there is now hope for us.”

One Family at a Time

 
I would like to provide my gratitude and acknowledgement to the Y for the ongoing and consistent financial and emotional support they have provided for both myself and my family throughout the years.
 
I have raised five children on my own while putting myself through university earning my Bachelor of Social Work degree and now working my Master’s Degree in clinical social work with a graduation goal of 2009.
 
As a student with five children and a nine month old grandson, it has been extremely difficult financially, leaving us very little, if anything at all, for extracurricular activities.        
 
I am extremely grateful to have the consistent support of the Y because it has allowed for us to have access to wellness and other beneficial activities that we would not have had access to without financial sponsorship.
 
The Y has been my children’s home away from home as this is where they have found solace in wellness through various activities and also through developing relationships; whether it is with their friends, meeting new friends, or with the Y’s staff.
 
Being a social worker I recognize the importance of providing equal opportunity for families to access services. For my family, this equal opportunity has made a profound difference.

The Y’s financial sponsorship program and the support of their entire staff has certainly contributed to my success as a social worker and to my children’s success with maintaining their wellness and most importantly, a healthy sense of self.

~ Y Family since 1997