Just wanted to let you and your team know the great outcomes from our YMCA interns. In addition to the energy generated from working with such talented young people the Interns efforts contributed greatly to our work here at Food Matters Manitoba, particularly in new growth areas and during a crucial staff transition. In exit interviews interns expressed how many new skills they developed and the growth in confidence, knowledge, and practical employable proficiencies during their placements. Thanks again!! Kreesta, Executive Director Food Matters Manitoba

I have had a wonderful experience as the International Media Facilitator at the YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo these past few months. This position has supported creativity and innovation in a field I am truly passionate about – global education. Throughout this experience, I have honed my social media curation and website management skills, as well as global education program development for kids as young as 3 up to 23. I particularly enjoyed seeing one project through from idea to implementation, YMCA Global Perspectives.

Connecting young people around the world to share their stories is what drew me to this position, and I was thrilled to have the support from my team in the International Department to make it happen: www.ymcaglobal.com. YMCA youth from around the world will be sharing their thoughts on topics that are important to them monthly. Join our next discussion this July on youth employment! -Julia, International Media Facilitator Intern of YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo

I am having an incredible experience at the Y and have certainly gained many valuable skills, but believe I also came to it with many skills to offer. I have acquired many of my skills through organizations and activities that I helped to initiate, as well as through school, so often these skills are not fully recognized. - Anonymous Intern

We are excited that funding for a Digital Skills Intern is available. In past, we had interns via the YMCA who were dedicated to learn and work towards their education field and professionalism. Thanks to these type of internship programs, three of our previous interns currently work in their professional field, and one went back to university to complete master degree (field in which she found passion during this internship). One of these interns was also elected and currently holds a position on our Board of Directors . Therefore she is my boss now :-). - Ranata, Executive Director and Mentor, New Brunswick

Our intern is working out amazingly well and I am certain that at this point that we have every intention of keeping her on after as well. - Dave S, Ontario Mentor

Kiley, myself and the rest of the Food Matters Manitoba (FMM) staff just wanted to thank you for helping facilitate our internships!  We've already been able to develop valuable skills here, and we love working with the FMM team (and they appreciate the help) - Shawn, Digital Logistics Intern Food Matters Manitoba

When we commit to internships we like to do it with a really clear picture of the work and the supervision required. I do compliment you on your program and really hope it gets permanent status. I think it will provide excellent experiences on both sides,  especially if my previous experience with the Y-internships are any guide. - Maggy, Internal Director, Halifax

Thank you for all of your help and patience. We have a candidate we would like to extend an offer to. She is a Nunavut Land Claims beneficiary living in Coral Harbour, Nunavut and to my knowledge meets all of the program’s criteria.  Thanks again for this opportunity, we are very excited to be able to take part in this program. - Nick, Northern Youth Abroad

My name is Alex.  I am working with the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA). Currently I am working on building a database from the results of a large survey that the AUMA sent out last year to all of the municipalities in Alberta. This includes normalizing the data and setting up the preliminary database design. In addition, I am assisting with improvement of the previous survey as we are looking to send out the 2012 version ASAP. Lastly, as a part of their new water initiative, I am making a water audit reporting template that will hopefully standardize how the future water audit results are reported. There will be much more work with the water audit initiative in the coming months. - Alex, Alberta Intern

I am working at the YMCA of Fredericton as a Digital Communications Assistant. I have been working on: Promoting the YMCA's Spring Programs, Summer Camps and any other important information. Informing members of the YMCA's scent-reduced policy, Putting ads on Facebook and Kijiji, Inputting member satisfaction surveys and feedback from the Strong Kids Donors, Developing best practices for Facebook and Twitter - Katherine , Intern YMCA Canada

I wish to thank the funding sponsor for giving us this opportunity. This was a very innovative funding stream. The Community Innovation Lab works at the intersection of reducing the gap between graduation and high unemployment with qualified youth. We take youth upon graduation and provide them with social innovation skill sets for the marketplace over an intense period of 3-6months. This process involves a call to the community organizations to bring their organizational issues to the table and within the lab we work with the issues to apply a mix of solutions ranging from community economic development, organizational capacity building, design thinking, ideation with a goal of prototyping hybrid solutions.  This funding is therefore critical for us to build and strengthen the program. - Pramilla, Mentor

You guys at the YMCA are wonderful to deal with, and I'm glad you have the funds because we've got the great opportunity! - Gary, Prospective Mentor 

We have extended an offer to Matthew McNevin for the internship. Thank you both so much for your patience, understanding, and help throughout this whole process. It is very much appreciated on our end and we are really excited for these opportunities. Nick, Program Officer