Get to Know Us
New friends. New passions and skills. A new community. There’s something for YOU at our YMCA of Three Rivers’ Youth Programs. From casual drop-ins to topic specific outreach, our diverse programs are here for you. Our team of Youth Workers are here to help you as you enroll in programs, get help with school or employment, or to just chat. We can’t wait to meet you!
Gavin
Supervisor, Youth Programs
(Chaplin, Guelph & Stratford)
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.
Ibtisam
Supervisor, Youth Programs
(Kitchener, Waterloo & Alternative Suspension)
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.
Feden
Youth Engagement Worker
Hey everyone! My name is Feden, but you can call me FeFe or Feds.
My philosophy for life is growth. The more we can grow, the more we can give. I've grown a lot here at the YMCA and still have much more growing to do. I've been lucky enough to learn from many youths, and I love seeing others grow. Any way I can support that growth, I'm here for it. Choosing just one favourite is tough, so here are three: my favourite book is Atomic Habits by James Clear, my favourite movie is The Dark Knight or No Country for Old Men, and my current favourite song is Fishtown by Cautious Clay. If you ask me in an hour, though, it might be different! I like to try and be creative. Currently, I’m learning how to play the piano and write poetry. When I’m not doing that, I enjoy going for walks in nature and hanging out with my friends. If I could give some advice to my younger self, I’d say love is one of the most beautiful things this world offers. It surrounds us in the smallest of things, but nothing is as pure as the love you have for yourself. So, be your own advocate and romanticize your life.
Jacob
Coordinator, Alternative Suspension (Guelph)
Hello! My name is Jacob, but I have lots of nicknames. These include Yacob, James, Jakey, JJ — just never Jake. I always wanted to work in a job where I could help people, and I landed on youth work because it inspired me the most. As a teenager, I faced some of the biggest struggles of my life, but I also had some of the most fun moments. I thought as a youth worker, I could share in the excitement while supporting youth in my community — a real win-win! I'm not much of a book or movie person, but if I had to choose a favourite, I'd say Lord of the Rings for both. However, I'm really passionate about music. I listen to almost anything, but my favorite genre is indie rock. My favorite song from that genre is Intersection by Modern Baseball. It’s a strange-sounding title and band name, but it’s a beautiful song. When I’m not hanging out at the Y, you can find me out with friends. I love thrifting for clothing or collectibles for my home. I particularly enjoy finding a nice grandpa sweater or something frog-related for my growing trinket collection. If I could give advice to my younger self, I would tell him to say yes to new experiences more. It’s amazing how much you can learn by trying new things and how much you can grow by broadening your perspective.
Alanson
Coordinator, Alternative Suspension (Kitchener)
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!
Zoe
Youth Engagement Worker
(Stratford)
Heyo! I’m Zoe (they/them) but I also answer to Zo, Zozo, or “hey you”. I came to the Y because I love supporting youth and am passionate about building community through programming. I am so excited to be a part of this team and help foster a safe and welcoming environment. My favourite book is I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver and my favourite movie is Wall-E. When I am not hanging out with youth in Stratford I am spending time with my dog, friends, and family. Something that I would tell my younger self is to take a deep breath and know that adults don’t have it figured out either. The craziness of life might feel overwhelming but if you can learn to embrace it, life gets easier.
Jacob
Youth Engagement Worker
(Stratford)
Hi! I'm Jacob, and most people call me that — at camp, my nickname was just my last name, Brickman. I'm at the Y because I have always found meaning in working with young people, mentoring, providing support and safe spaces, and I am passionate about creating community and fostering social wellness. My favourite movies are Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, and The Princess Bride, and I love all things music and food. I would tell my younger self to be authentic and do what you know is right; you'll find the people around you will be the ones who value your values.
Angelica
Youth Engagement Worker
(Guelph/Cambridge)
Hello my name is Angelica but my friends like to call me Gel! I was drawn to youth work because I’ve always had a passion for supporting, and empowering youth to grow and learn how to be the best versions of themselves. I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and Psychology degree from the University of Guelph and while I was there all my jobs were dedicated to mentoring students. The Y allows me to support youth while also having fun planning and facilitating programs! A little about me, my favourite book series is probably the Summer I Turned Pretty for the nostalgic factor. I first read that series in Grade 6 and that’s what helped me fall in love with reading, specifically reading contemporary romance novels. Following along that track my favourite movie is The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. Once again I love anything and everything romance and female friendships, probably why I'm a huge Swiftie! My comfort show is How I Met Your Mother and I will never get sick of it! Can’t wait to meet you all!
Brianna
Youth Engagement Worker
(Guelph/Cambridge)
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!
Emily
Youth Engagement Worker
(A.R. Kaufman/Stork)
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.