The Rotary Club of Gravenhurst and the Rotary Club of Bracebridge have provided vital funding to help youth in South Muskoka develop confidence, understand healthy relationships, foster critical thinking skills and build positive peer support.
Local charity, YWCA Muskoka, runs the popular Girlz Unplugged and Quest for boys programs in Muskoka public schools during recess and lunch hours.
The Rotary Club of Gravenhurst donated $2000, which will help to run a Gravenhurst-based Quest program for boys in 2025. “The Rotary Club of Gravenhurst wishes to create lasting change in the community it serves. For that reason, we are happy to provide ongoing support to the YWCA youth programs in Gravenhurst,” said Bonnie Dart from the Gravenhurst Rotary Community Services Committee. “We believe it is important for young people to have an opportunity to increase self-understanding, develop healthy relationships, and build strong connections to the community in which they live. We are grateful to support these goals of the YWCA youth programming which align with our own.”
Rotary Club of Gravenhurst Members. Back Row left to right: Richard Augustine, John Latour, Amy Taylor, Eric Daley, Bruce Hemphill, Bryan Graham, John Gordon, Pam McDivitt, Rob Abbott, Kathryn McGill, Allyn Abbott, Pat Bongers, Bruce Dart, Ken Little. Front Row left to right: Mark Clairmont, John Cooper, Julia Reinhart, Kay Godden, Barb McCabe
The Rotary Club of Bracebridge donated $1800, which will help to run a Bracebridge-based Girlz Unplugged program in 2025. “The Rotary Club of Bracebridge is pleased to continue its support of the YWCA. YWCA has for years provided much needed programming for the Youth in Bracebridge and surrounding communities,” said Lea Reprich of Bracebridge Rotary.
YWCA Muskoka youth programs meet the unique needs of rural youth and the curriculum was created right here in Muskoka, explained Amy Jones, Director of Youth Services for YWCA Muskoka. “These programs help youth in grades 5-10 explore healthy relationships, self-care, body image, gender stereotypes, navigating being online safely – all through crafts, play, discussions, laughter and fun,” said Jones.
Jones also explained that these important discussion topics also work toward YWCA’s broader goal to prevent gender-based violence in the community. “Reaching youth early, during their most formative years, and helping them explore what a healthy relationship looks like – and doesn’t look like – is beneficial for them now as they navigate peer relationships, but are also skills they carry with them into the future as they become adults.”
YWCA Muskoka is run entirely on fundraised dollars and individual project grants. The organization currently relies entirely on donations to fund their local youth programs. Members of the community can help by making a donation to YWCA Muskoka by visiting their website at: www.ywcamuskoka.com/donate