The YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce has been selected as a grant recipient from Canadian Tire Jumpstart helping launch a Lifeguard and Instructor Training Program for youth.
The program dubbed Waves of Opportunity is designed to remove financial and systemic barriers for youth aged 13-25 who face challenges accessing sport based employment and leadership opportunities.
Brandon Downing, Manager of Health, Fitness & Aquatics at the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce says this comes at a great time when a need for lifeguards is high.
“We’ve been able to get a better recruitment and retention strategy but there’s a lot of turnover just because of the age of the lifeguards. A lot of them come to us in highschool, get their training done but in a couple years they’re off to college which is great for them, they can use that as a part time job but for us we’re just trying to fill those holes that they leave.” said Downing.
Sarah Cowley, CEO of the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce says with the support of Jumpstart they’re able to reduce the cost of certification, create pathways for youth to develop leadership skills, gain employment ready credentials and become role models in their communities both on deck and beyond.