From the Court to the Board:

Josh’s connection to the Y began in daycare and continued through basketball, mentorship, and leadership. Today, he’s come full circle—as a board member working to give back.

“If I wasn’t involved in sport and at the Y every night, I don’t know where I would’ve ended up,” says Josh. “The Y gave me a space to grow up—and grow into who I am.”

Raised by a single mother who made sure he and younger brother stayed active and supported, Josh remembers the Y as more than just a gym. It was a home base. A safe place. A spot to feel challenged and encouraged.

“You got to play against older guys, connect with mentors, and be part of a little community,” he says. “And as I got older, I wanted to give that back.”

Whether it was learning from older players or sharing tips with younger kids, Josh’s time at the Y taught him not just how to train—but how to lead.

Now, as a law student, former Youth Chief with the Southern Chiefs’ Organization, alumni athlete Winnipeg Wesmen, and a current board member of the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg, that early spirit of mentorship still guides him.

“My favourite thing now is coaching,” he says. “It’s how I stay involved in the game. I love working with younger players, passing on what I’ve learned—just like others did for me.”

For Josh, the Y has always offered more than physical activity. It’s helped him take care of his health in a holistic way—mind, body, and spirit. Whether he’s in the weight room, the steam room, or chatting with familiar faces in the hallway, it remains a place of belonging.

And he believes that’s exactly what makes Strong Kids so vital.

“It’s an easy way to make a big change in a kid’s life,” he says. “You’re not just paying for a gym membership—you’re giving them a chance to feel safe, to be part of something, and to build the kind of confidence that stays with them forever.”

Now, decades after walking through the West Portage Y doors as a child, Joshua is helping shape its future for the next generation.

“To be part of the board now—it’s an honour,” he says. “The Y shaped so much of my life. I just want to help make sure the next kid has that same opportunity.”