YMCA 50 Years of Child Care: Melissa's Story

9 years ago, Melissa was a teen mom, struggling through high school. With the help of YMCA Child Care, Melissa found the support she needed and finished school. Today, Melissa works for The Y, helping children and families like hers in a safe and welcoming place. Here's her story.

My high school guidance counsellor first introduced me to the YMCA in 2007. I was 18 years old and pregnant with my daughter. Little did I know, at the time, that the Y would be the stepping stone to the rest of my life.

I began taking courses in the TEAM (Teen Education and Motherhood) program at the Mississauga YMCA in 2008, when my daughter was 3 months old. This program, a partnership with the Peel District School Board, offered high school classes for young mothers and child care for our children while we attended school. My daughter, Ava, attended child minding specifically for the TEAM program for a few short months before I was offered a permanent spot in the centre’s child care facility.

I worked hard to complete all my necessary courses and graduated, as valedictorian of my class, in 2009. Shortly after graduation, I learned that the Y was looking for someone to assist with the child minding for the TEAM program. Since I had just graduated and needed a job to support my family, I connected with the supervisor and shared with her my passion for working with children. After sending her my resume and completing an interview, she offered me the job. I happily took on the role of assisting teen mothers — not only by taking care of their children, but offering my support and assistance during a very trying time in their lives, a situation I really understood first-hand.

I worked in the child minding for the TEAM program for two years before being offered a position in the nursery program. I fell into that role with ease, all the while supplying in the child care when needed. In 2012, my daughter “graduated” from the child care and started kindergarten and I finally landed my first full-time position as an Early Childhood Assistant in the Infant Room, my most favourite age group!

Fast forward five years, I have now moved on from the Mississauga YMCA to the Mississauga Valley YMCA Child Care Centre, and I’m also going back to school once again, thanks to the Y’s Staff Development Fund.

Looking back on my journey with the Y so far, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Nine years ago, I was a young teen mother, not knowing where I would end up. Today, I’m a successful mother of two, looking to finalize my journey by completing my degree.

Thank you to the Y for opening doors I never thought would open.

This year, we’re proud to be celebrating 50 years of Child Care Excellence.

 To see more stories from across The Y, click here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFgP1Ahg6jQ