Fitness  -   Aquatics  -   Preschool  -  Youth  -   Teen  -  Childcare  -   Camping  -   Seasonal Programs  -   Fit Tips  -   International  -   Membership  -  Government Programs

Millidgeville Community Centre - Forest Glen Community Centre - Quispamsis Recreation Centre

The Power of Peace – The Power of People

Saint John, NB— Every one of us has the power to make a peaceful difference, yet we don’t always use it.  The Saint John Y, together with YMCA Associations across Canada,marked the YMCA World Peace Week held Nov. 15-21, 2008 by encouraging children, youth and adults to create Peace by living it, every day, with family, friends, neighbours and colleagues. 

Although the YMCA incorporates peace building activities year round, YMCA World Peace Week places special emphasis on recognizing the peace efforts of local residents who work tirelessly, and often with little public support. 

“It is very important today to recognize peace in all its forms” stated Shilo Boucher, Acting CEO, “especially in our community.  The Saint John Y does this each year by awarding the YMCA Peace Medal and this year’s recipients live the message of peace each and every day.”

2008 marks the 21st anniversary of recognizing community peace builders in Canada by awarding them the YMCA Peace Medallion.  Since 1987, over 900 individuals and groups have received this honour during YMCA World Peace Week. 

“The Peace Medal Recipients continue to demonstrate a powerful commitment towards their community.  They serve as wonderful role models and they inspire others with their selfless service,” says Richard Campbell, Director of Settlement Services for the Saint John YMCA-YWCA.

The Saint John YMCA-YWCA recognized this year’s YMCA Peace Medallion Recipients, Rev. Dave and Karen Hardy, at a ceremony held on November 21, 2008 at 7:00am at Lily Lake Pavilion. 

Rev David and Karen Hardy work out of the Saint John Community Chaplaincy on Sewell Street. Serving people of all faiths, they help build relationships that have been torn apart because of drug and alcohol abuse, sexual and physical abuse, broken homes and broken dreams. They believe in working through restorative justice and towards community corrections. There is a need for options other than incarceration. Modeling their work through Christian principals, Reverend David and Karen Hardy have appeared on both 100 Huntley Street and the 700 Club. The Saint John Community Chaplaincy has served the people of this region since 1992.      

The community celebrated in honoring the Rev. Dave and Karen Hardy at a breakfast on November 21, 2008. 

• LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada).
• RAP (Resettlement Assistance Program) designed for government sponsored refugees.
• ISAP (Immigrant Settlement & Adaptation Program) for landed immigrants.
• HOST Program which matches Newcomers with members of the community.
• School Liaison Co-Ordinator - to help children and parents adapt to the Canadian School system .
• ESL (English as a second language) Class in St. George.

These programs are all funded through Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

An Enhanced Language Training Program (ELT) at the 6/7 Level runs from September 2008 to January 2009.  Settlement Services also provides an Employment Counsellor who works closely with Newcomers in the Saint John region. 

Anyone interested in learning more about these programs can contact Richard Campbell at  646-2389 or email at r.campbell@saintjohny.com.

Check our the new website:  www.settlementservicesymca.ca