Opening the Doors:

As a single mother raising three kids, Joanne knew how hard it was to ask for help. That’s why today, as a frontline staff member at the Y, she makes it her mission to ensure no child is turned away.

Joanne joined the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg after leaving her corporate career behind. She wanted work with heart. What she found was more than a job—it was a place where she could live her values and change lives every day.

From helping newcomer teens feel safe and seen, to making sure low-income parents can register their children for swim lessons, Joanne has become a steady, compassionate presence for families navigating big transitions.

She often hears the same phrase from the youth who try to sneak in without a membership: “I didn’t think I could afford it.” Her response is always the same: “Come see me—we’ll figure it out.”

“I’ve had dads cry in front of me when they find out their whole family qualifies for Strong Kids. I tell them, we want you here. You belong here.”

The teens she supports may not always show it, but they remember. She shares how one young man who kept forgetting his membership card was gently called in—not out—and reminded that small habits shape who we become. From that day forward, he never forgot his card again.

These are the quiet, powerful moments Strong Kids donors make possible.

“I see it every day. Kids are off the streets, they’re learning life skills, and they’re building community. Some of them wouldn’t be anywhere else if not for this place.”

Joanne knows from experience that even small acts of belonging can change the direction of a young person’s life. And she sees Strong Kids as more than just a financial aid program—it’s a door that opens again and again, letting kids in, and letting their potential shine.

“We don’t let financial barriers define who gets to belong. If a child is here, they’re equal. Period. And when they grow up, they’ll remember that.”