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!

Heyo! I’m Teddy (they/he) but I also answer to Ted, Teddles, 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 cat, 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.

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! 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.