NEWS RELEASE
YMCA
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From November 14 – 21, the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, together with YMCAs across Canada, offers activities that help children, youth and adults explore peace from personal, local and global perspectives.
Collectively, YMCAs in Canada ask people to: Build community. Act for peace.
More than the absence of violence and conflict, peace is the ongoing work of building and maintaining conditions of fairness, inclusion, empathy, security, and respect for diversity.
Peace-building is core to the YMCA’s commitment to strengthening the foundation of healthy communities and part of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka’s year round programs.
YMCA Peace Week is a unique vehicle for educating Canadians about peace in all its dimensions.
“In today’s globalized world, we are all connected to each other more than we realize,” says Jeanette Heywood, VP of Philanthropy and Brand Management, YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. “By sharing our message of peace we are able to inspire others to become engaged in peaceful actions.”
When people act for peace, they build community by promoting a sense of belonging, fostering empathy, embracing pluralism and addressing the social determinants of health.
“The idea of trying to attain world peace can feel overwhelming simply because it’s such a large-scale goal,” says Heywood. “But if you look at ways to contribute to peace in your own home and community and gradually work up to bigger national and international issues, it becomes manageable and attainable. Our goal is to demonstrate that together we can make a difference in creating a peaceful community.”
The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka celebrates Peace Week with an hour long Yoga for Peace, which will be held in our health, fitness and aquatic centres, and open to public participation.
We invite community members to join us for free in these eight locations:
Barrie YMCA – Friday, November 20, 10:30 a.m.
Collingwood YMCA – Monday, November 16, 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Gravenhurst YMCA – Wednesday, November 18, 10:15 a.m.
Innisfil YMCA – Monday, November 16, 8 p.m.
Midland – Tuesday, November 17, 10:30 a.m. and Thursday, November 19, 7 p.m.
Orillia YMCA – Saturday, November 14, 10 a.m.
Parry Sound YMCA – Tuesday, November 17, 8:30 a.m.
Wasaga Beach YMCA – Saturday, November 21, 10:15 a.m.
For more information on Acts of Peace and Peace Week activities, please visit ymcaofsimcoemuskoka.ca/ymca-international/peace-week/.
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