Learning Through Leadership:

Geraldine, a bright and energetic high school student, first came to Y Winnipeg looking for a summer camp—but left with something much more meaningful: a new sense of purpose.

“I wanted to learn how to take care of kids,” says Geraldine, 14. “So when they told me I could volunteer, I was really excited.”

Thanks to the support of the Strong Kids Campaign, Geraldine participated in the Y’s youth leadership programming, assisting summer camp staff and gaining hands-on skills that she says she wouldn’t have had the chance to learn anywhere else.

“I came with a friend, and we got to do a lot of different things—go to the park, go swimming, even visit the planetarium. But mostly, I got to help out with the little kids and learn how to care for them.”

“I didn’t know how to babysit,” she says. “But here, I got to help and learn. If someone was sad, I could be there for them. It made me feel proud.”

This kind of “I can do it” moment—where confidence and responsibility begin to grow—is exactly what the Y aims to spark in youth like Geraldine.

“She’s always dancing, always busy,” says her father, Elkin. “So she doesn’t get to come all the time, but when she’s here, she’s learning, she’s connecting. And the Y is safe—that’s the most important thing. After that, I know she’s having fun and growing.”

A newcomer family from Colombia, Geraldine and her parents first discovered the Y through a community newcomer event and open swim nights. What began as a casual visit turned into an ongoing relationship—one that created space for Geraldine to lead, connect, and give back in her own way.

“If I didn’t come here, I would’ve missed out on a lot,” she says. “I wouldn’t have learned how to take care of kids or made new friends. And I wouldn’t have seen places like the museum or planetarium. It was a really good summer.”

When asked what she would tell someone thinking about donating to the Y, Geraldine doesn’t hesitate:

“You’re helping a lot. You’re making kids happy. You’re giving more people opportunities to enjoy their time and learn new things.”

Geraldine says she’d love to come back next summer to volunteer again. And with continued support from Strong Kids donors, many more young people like her will have the chance to grow into confident leaders—through simple but powerful moments that last a lifetime.