YMCA of Greater Toronto Named One of Canada’s Greenest Employers
For the ninth year in a row, the YMCA of Greater Toronto has been selected as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers. This award recognizes the YMCA for creating a culture of environmental awareness, developing exceptional earth-friendly initiatives, and demonstrating environmental leadership.
The YMCA’s focus on climate resiliency environmental leadership is vital to creating healthy and vibrant futures for communities to thrive not only for today, but for generations to come. For example, our Harvest Share Program connects people to the source of their foods and brings fresh farm vegetables to lunch or dinner tables, to further encourage healthy eating and living. The vegetables come straight from our YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre farm in Schomberg, which is now in its seventh year of operation. They are grown with care and passion by our volunteers, young camp participants and staff members. This month, individuals can order a weekly, seasonal produce delivery to one of four participating Y locations – Cooper Koo, West End, Brampton and Cedar Glen – from July to October.
The YMCA’s journey in environmental sustainability includes investing in energy efficient upgrades, constructing LEED designed buildings, using solar energy to operate the Cedar Glen organic farm and working with community partners on green initiatives.
“We are tremendously proud to be selected as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the ninth year in a row. Sustainability is a priority when it comes to shaping healthy environment and creating greener and brighter futures,” explains Medhat Mahdy, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Toronto. “We are fortunate to have a team of staff members and volunteers who are invested in building healthier communities and improving well-being.” This prestigious award is an indication that YMCA programs are considered progressive against national standards. For more information about our programs and environmental initiatives, please visit ymcagta.org.
In addition to being among Canada’s Greenest Employers this year, the YMCA of Greater Toronto was also recognized among the 2019 Greater Toronto’s Top Employers, Canada’s Top Employers for Young People and Canada’s Best Diversity Employers. Within a healthy and enriching environment, staff are able to fuel their passion with fulfilling work that helps the YMCA achieve its mission.
About the YMCA of Greater Toronto
For more than 165 years, we’ve provided leadership and worked with partners solving complex social problems to create real, measurable outcomes that have strengthened the social health and fabric of communities. As a charity, the Y offers a variety of programs responding to the needs of the community, including education and training, employment and immigrant services, family and youth services, health and fitness programs, child care and camps. Serving the population of the Toronto, Durham, Peel, York and Halton regions and Dufferin County, last year the YMCA made more than 580,000 connections across 440 locations.
For more information contact:
Communications, YMCA of Greater Toronto, media@ymcagta.org
