From Peter C...

Dear Friends

The Toronto experience was fabulous and I was very privileged to be in the company of so many fantastic people.

I spoke to many of you about our forthcoming Young Carers Festival (YCF). Well it arrived (along with the rain). The event is a weekend for children who care for sick or disabled parents or siblings, many of which have put their own childhood on hold whilst effectively becoming the head of the household. This weekend steals back a bit of their childhood (lots of fun and friendship) and gives them the opportunity to talk to politicians about the changes that need to be made to support them and their families.

You can all be part of this special weekend by listen via the web to our dedicated radio station. The instructions follow. You can also phone in and send a message from across the world to the festival (this would be wonderful)

The festival starts at 1600 BST Friday 29th and closes at 1400 on Sunday. Tune in if you can.
The number for the studio this year is 44 77 451 78 68 0

This year, you can listen to Express FM, the official radio station of the Young Carers Festival on 87.7 FM in Southern Hampshire and now…for the first time…LIVE online thanks to playradiouk.com

Navigate your web browser to http://www.expressfm.net/ – click listen on the left hand side of the screen and select your player type. If you have winamp, realplayer or quicktime installed on your machine, you will need the first link. If you are using Windows Media Player, click the second link (the button).

The whole weekend is live online, and listen again from Monday afternoon as we re-play everything back from the start.

I hope that you will be able to find some time to listen and that you enjoy and are amazed by what you hear!



Peter C
Children's Work Director

YMCA Fairthorne Group

... and more

Some more pics...

Friday June 15th - Theme: Realizing our Full Potential in Volunteerism and Philanthropy

Toronto day

Delegates travelled to Downtown Toronto, visited the Charles St YMCA (YMCA Head Office), YMCA Family Development Centre and the Metro-Central YMCA. The session closed with a boat cruise and dinner.

Thursday June 14th Theme: Reaching out to Teens and Young Adults

The day included a feature guest speaker, team building exercise through out Cedar Glen Property and an evening session Philanthropy.

Wednesday June 13th - Theme: Partnership, Collaboration & Community Leadership

Niagara Day

Travelled to Niagara Falls to be hosted by YMCA Niagara Region. Delegates had a brief tour and greetings from the CEO of YMCA Niagara Region, followed by presentations and discussions about creating a culture of Partnership, Collaboration & Community Leadership. Unexpected “Maid of the Mist” boat to the falls courtesy of the YMCA of Niagara Region. Finished the day visiting traveling to Peller Wine Estates for dinner. 90 minute bus trip each way!

Tuesday June 12th - Theme: The Development of Healthy Active Children, Youth and Adults

The first official full day featured a keynote address focused on responding to community needs, government initiatives and the creation of new models of program delivery. Delegates shared their own experiences too.

Monday June 11th - Official opening

Delegates were joined by members of the YMCA of Greater Toronto Board of Directors and Senior Staff Team; YMCA Canada and YMCA Ontario CEO’s for the opening dinner. Activities included served dinner, cathing up with colleagues from around the world and formal proceedings.

Fantastic event - congratulations Toronto YMCA

What a week we had in Toronto! The big ticket items for me were:

• The amazing venue was a sensation. Most of all I loved the views. Running and riding around the property was a marvellous feeling – so green, and no bears! (Rosie had me spooked)




• The fantastic program, in particular the themes and quality of information.




• Madgy pointing out in the first reflection that that where there is no war, strong YMCA can be.




• The Environics research, wow!




• The Lebanon youth development model and story about the world’s second richest man – or was that Mexico? (I’m with you Mario)




• The recently discovered ‘new’ YMCA in Canada; when Scott shared the story about the YMCA established in the far north of Canada 120 years ago by a missionary.




• Hearing of the major issues in bringing people together because of the discriminatory practices in Third World countries around young people obtaining visas.




• The Toronto teen strategy




• The YMCA of Niagara story.




• Learning about all the wonderful partnerships around the world, and the fabulous philosophy that underpins them.




• Fundraising – it is not about money, it's about relationships and story.
  The NYC Y governance approach.




• ... and beating Rosi's team in the Race around the World!