Join the YMCA Team!
Be the Spark! Join our professional and passionate team and be the spark that ignites the potential in others.
Our culture is of paramount importance to us. We formally measure employee engagement annually to ensure our employees have excellent employment experience. Our current level of engagement is 80%, compared to some Canadian employer statistics of 69%.
YMCA of Southwestern Ontario was founded in 1856 and has over 200 locations from Goderich to Point Pelee, and Windsor to Woodstock. We are one of the largest not-for-profit providers of licensed child care in Canada and have over 100 school age programs across our regions. We also offer settlement services to newcomers, employment programs, and youth programs. YMCA of Southwestern Ontario operates one overnight camp on Beausoleil Island in Muskoka, YMCA Camp Queen Elizabeth. We also have 13 Health & Fitness branches across Southwestern Ontario.
Why The Y?
At the Y, our people are central to delivering our mission. We are committed to the development of healthy communities and welcome people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and abilities.
We provide valuable training and development opportunities to help our team members grow professionally and personally.
We look for the following qualities in all of our employees and volunteers:
Employees and volunteers of YMCA of Southwestern Ontario are ambassadors for the Y both on and off the job. We rely on them to help share our mission and increase awareness of the positive impact the Y can have on the lives of people in their communities. Particularly how we are helping to create healthy children, healthy families, and healthy communities.
All employees and volunteers are required to provide a current satisfactory Criminal Record and may require a Vulnerable Sector Search as a condition of their employment. Police Record checks are reviewed on an individual basis, and the offense(s) - if any - is considered in the decision-making process in relation to the requirements of the position, therefore not eliminating all candidates with a record from being offered gainful employment or a volunteer position.
Position: Run Club Volunteer
Location: Stoney Creek YMCA
North London Athletic Fields Tuesdays 6pm-7pm
& Spring Bank Park Sundays 10am-11am
Program Description:
Are you passionate about fitness, community, and the great outdoors? We are looking for enthusiastic Run Club Volunteers to help support our weekly YMCA Run Club. This role is about more than just running - it’s about creating a welcoming, supportive, and encouraging environment where participants of all abilities feel comfortable and confident reaching their goals.
Whether someone is training for their first 5K or simply looking to become more active, our volunteers help foster connections, build confidence, and make every runner feel like they belong.
As part of being a volunteer:
- Receive a complimentary YMCA personal membership to our Health & Fitness facilities
- Be part of a caring and supportive network of people to help each other succeed
- Contribute to real, meaningful impact in the lives of children and youth
Program Description:
To assist and build positive relationships with YMCA members, staff, volunteers, and Run Club participants. Volunteers support Health and Wellness Staff by helping to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive running environment. Volunteers demonstrate the YMCA mission and core values while acting as positive role models within the running community.
Core Responsibilities:
- Welcome and support participants of all running abilities
- Assist in leading group runs, ensuring the group stays together and follows the designated route
- Promote and follow all Run Club safety guidelines and road safety practices
- Help orient new participants to Run Club routes
- Encourage and motivate participants throughout the run
- Assist with attendance tracking and participant check-ins when required
- Communicate any concerns, incidents, or route issues to Health and Wellness Staff
- Complete all online trainings, program training, and Volunteer WHY School
- Act as an ambassador for the YMCA and promote a positive Run Club culture
Qualifications:
- Minimum age: we consider volunteers as young as the summer they are entering grade 9
- Interest in running, fitness and healthy living
- Standard First Aid and CPR‐C preferred
- Original Criminal Reference Check with a Vulnerable Sector Screening less than 6 months old for volunteers 18 years and older
- Fun, friendly and enthusiastic
- Strong communication and customer service skills
- Dependable, responsible and a team player
- Genuinely interested in supporting others and being a part of the YMCA community
- Minimum commitment of 4 months, 2 hours/week
