Hey there! I'm Gavin, and no, I don't have any nicknames. I was drawn to the YMCA as a place where I can make a meaningful difference in the lives of youth. I believe in the power of mentorship, community engagement, and fostering a nurturing environment where young individuals can thrive. My favourite book is The Power of One, a powerful story set in South Africa during apartheid. I first read it as a teenager, and have come back to it many times since. As for movies, Shawshank Redemption takes the top spot for me. It's one of the greatest films ever made. When I'm not at the Y, you'll catch me navigating the wonderful chaos of raising my beautiful newborn twins, creating double the laughter, double the joy, and double the chaos in my life! If I could go back and give my younger self some advice, it would be this: Embrace challenges and failures as opportunities for growth, trust your instincts, and be kind to yourself along the journey.

Hello, my name is Ibtisam, but most of you will know me by Ibti. I came to the Y through the Y newcomer programs. That’s right — I used to be a participant. I stayed because I’m passionate about providing safe and inclusive space for youth — especially minorities — to express their passions, reach their goals, and ultimately, be a role model to our next generation. When I’m not in program connecting with you, you can usually find me playing volleyball, hiking, or painting. I also love travelling, and getting outside to feel the sun on my face! My favourite movie is Aladdin, and my current favourite song is Rjeen ya hawa by Fairouz. If I could go back and tell my younger self something it would be this: Life can be written with a pencil — it doesn’t always have to be written with a pen.

Hi everyone, I am Alanson and I surprisingly do not have any nicknames even though there are three syllables in my name. Let me know if you have any nickname recommendations. Since I started as a camp counsellor back in high school, I have been intrigued by circles of people who invest in their local surroundings. Amazing people have invested their time and energy into making me who I am today, and I hope to pass on at least a portion of their impact at the YMCA. I tend to gravitate towards movies that explore the complexities of the human experience whether that is through Christopher Nolan’s Sci-fis, Taika Waititi’s adventure films, or dramas such as This is Us, and Goodwill Hunting. But if I am in the mood for a laid-back laugh, Hot Rod is a super reliable film. The best song ever performed in my honest opinion is Good Love is on the Way by John Mayer. When I am not at the Y, you will usually find me hanging out with my friends and family playing pickleball, spikeball, soccer, swimming, jamming some tunes, or eating some good food. If I could talk to my younger self, I would recommend that he steps outside of his small bubble of people earlier and experience more perspectives/walks of life. Life is much more fulfilling alongside people who think differently than you. Hope to see you around!

Hey there! I’m a passionate youth worker who loves connecting with young people and supporting them on their unique journeys. Whether it's offering a listening ear, helping them navigate life's challenges, or celebrating their wins, I’m here for it all! Watching them grow, discover their strengths, and thrive is the most rewarding part of my job. When I’m not working, you’ll probably find me diving into a good book, binge-watching reality TV (yes, I’m hooked), I’m also a big fan of puzzles and love activities like escape rooms or murder mysteries. I’m currently listening to Suki Waterhouse’s music, and while I can never choose just one favorite movie (there’s too many). My comfort film is Scream — I’ve watched it over 100 times and it never gets old! If I could give my younger self advice it would be to embrace my youth and live for myself, after all you only get one shot at life so I believe you should live it how you want to.

Hey! I’m Brianna, but most of my friends and family call me Bri. I’m super excited to be a part of the YMCA family! Helping others has always been a passion of mine, and I joined the youth team to create a safe and fun space where young people can truly be themselves. I started working at the YMCA in February 2024 as a staff member in the JHO program. Through that experience and my time coaching ringette, I found my love for working with youth and wanted to do even more to support them in our community, which led me here! If I had to pick a favorite book, it would have to be the Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series—I'm a huge fan of reading! And when it comes to movies, my all-time favorite is My Girl. When I’m not at the Y, you’ll probably find me coaching, spending time with friends, or getting lost in a good book. If I could give my younger self some advice, it would be to trust yourself more—growth comes when you step outside your comfort zone. I hope to see you soon!

Hi everyone! My name is Sydney or Syd (she/her) I am thrilled to work at the YMCA as a Youth Engagement Worker. I always ensure that the space created for programs is safe, welcoming, and comfortable for all. I love to talk about video games and DnD! I can be seen buzzing around the YMCA of Three Rivers in Stratford with my Service Dog Theo! We’re both so excited to meet you all.

Hello Youth, it’s me Salatho. I have been with the Y for almost 3 years, which means I love working with youth. Seeing youth grow their confidence and develop their skills make me proud and want to do more. Especially seeing youths that were part of the Y doing something outside of the Y and in their community.

Hello everyone! My name is Kelly (She/her) and I’ve been working at the Y for almost 3 years! Being able to work with youth and create environments where they could be themselves, build friendships, learn new things, and much more is one of my passions. I am so excited to hangout with all of you! Please come by
and say hello!

Hey there, I’m Olivia and I facilitate the Back on Track program in Guelph. I’m passionate about creating a space where teens can be themselves, build skills, and navigate life’s challenges at their own pace. I love all things outdoors and nature. When I’m not working, you can usually find me on a walk in the forest looking
for cool mushrooms and moss. When I’m not outside, I like hanging out with friends and family, thrifting, going to the gym, playing Stardew Valley, or reading a good book. My favourite book of all time is Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, and my favourite movie is The Peanut Butter Falcon. I’m also totally
obsessed with my cat, Artemis. A fun fact about me is that I studied marine biology in university and even worked as a marine biologist on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia before moving home and joining the YMCA — come find me if you want to talk about all things marine life!

Woof, Woof everyone! My name is Theo, I work with my owner Sydney for the YMCA! I am loveable and excitable, and Sydney says I’m a very good boy. I have a very important job and need to keep my focus on it; so, if you see me in program, you can admire me from afar, but please do not come and pet me. If you have any questions about me, Sydney is more than happy to answer them!

Hey!! I'm Ivy and I run the Back on Track program here in Stratford. I was a
camp human for a long time so if you need a riddle or game to lift your spirits
please visit. My current passion is creating therapeutic programs and sharing skills that make life more joyous. Thank you for reading my bio, here's a riddle I hope you enjoy. - What gets bigger the more you take away?