Y Fit 4 U
Established in 2010, Y Fit 4 U is a joint program of McMaster Children’s Hospital and the Les Chater YMCA. The program focuses on meeting the fitness goals of individuals ages 10 and up who are clients of the McMaster Children’s Developmental Rehabilitation Program (CDRP). At the Les Chater YMCA, children and youth work alongside CDRP physiotherapists, YMCA staff, and volunteers through tailored exercise programs to help them meet their personal goals and to integrate physical activity into their daily lives.
In response to COVID-19, Y Fit 4 U adopted an online format so that clients can stay active at home. Every week, staff, volunteers, and clients come together via Zoom to follow a workout program created by the Y Fit 4 U team. This involved ensuring an inclusive space through providing a variety of exercise accommodations to follow along. According to participant testimonials, this program has benefited clients physically and has helped maintain their sense of community during the pandemic.
In addition, the Y Fit 4 U subcommittee hosts community initiatives to raise awareness and support for the community. In the past this has included an annual dodgeball tournament involving the clients. During the pandemic, Y Fit 4 U held initiatives including a month-long fitness fundraiser and workshop day.
The 2015-2016 school year was the first year that Smiling Over Sickness collaborated with the Y Fit 4 U, and we are very excited to continue to be a part of this meaningful and fun initiative! Under this unique program, volunteers will be considered as dual Hamilton Health Sciences and YMCA volunteers, making it an ideal opportunity for anyone hoping to build experience in the healthcare system.
Regular Volunteers
Volunteers will provide hands-on support and encouragement to the clients through their exercise programming, helping clients reach their personal fitness goals. In addition, volunteers will help run Y Fit 4 U's various community engagement initiatives in order to raise awareness and support for individuals with disabilities.
Group Leaders
Group leaders will be responsible for ensuring that everything runs smoothly and all volunteers are abiding by the program rules and expectations. Group leaders will also help facilitate communication between other volunteers and the volunteer coordinator, as well as creating stronger sense of community within the volunteer team.
