By Kendall Worth!
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| Kendall and Michelle Rivoire, General Manager Halifax YMCA |
Today I had the opportunity to meet with and interview Michelle Rivoire, who is the General Manger of the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth. According to Michelle, the YMCA is a lot more then just a swimming pool and a gym. The YMCA is also about connecting community and that is Michelle’s role. With the help of the team of staff, that Michelle supervises, (through her role as General Manager) she delivers all the resources available through the YMCA. Besides the pool and fitness center, they also offer, health and wellness programs, employment services, new comer programs and services, older adult programs and youth that become Trail Blazers.
Also, when the homeless population started increasing the YMCA opened their showers for the homeless to come in and have a shower and access other resources available through the centre.
I want to say that I was excited to do this interview because, I talk about solutions to social isolation as part of my BLOG. Solutions are included with Social Prescriptions and Social Prescribing.
Everything offered through the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth is an example of Both.
An example of Social Prescription because Just like Halifax Circus School and Saint Andrews Sunday Supper the discounted membership program provides yet another affordable opportunity for low income people to get out and socialize. Then, it is an example of Social Prescribing because as this post points out:
“Social Prescribing is involving healthcare in the determinants of health. A professional writes the prescription and sends you directly to an agency or to a navigator who finds what you need. We need a group who will work on the “social part”, after the prescription is written. So I am using “social prescribing” as short hand for the whole system. Those who prescribe, and the implementation of programs that are needed to fulfill prescriptions”
Answers to questions during the interview with Michelle, demonstrates examples of that description of Social Prescribing.
#1 – Michelle, can you tell me about the existence of the Greater Halifax/Dartmouth YMCA and how you feel the YMCA promotes social inclusion. Has Social Inclusion always been the mandate of the Greater Halifax/Dartmouth YMCA?
Michelle’s Answer – The YMCA has been around for 170 years. It was formed in in 1853. The YMCA of greater Halifax/Dartmouth was started by a group of men who use to gather at what was in the Forrester Building. Since 1853 the YMCA has survived through a serious of major events that took place here in Halifax. It survived through the Halifax Explosion and 2 World Wars as two examples. At the time the Forrester Building was exactly where the YMCA is today. From 1853 till present it has been part of the community.
#2 – So during my tour of YMCA in November of 2023 you mentioned to me that the YMCA offers discounted passes for low income people. Can you tell me about this work?
Michelle’s Answer – It is all about meeting community where they are at. We know there are people in our community who cannot afford a membership. Our #1 goal at the YMCA is not to turn anyone away no matter what their financial situation is. The YMCA financial assistance administrator will meet with anyone who is interested to figure out what what you needs are.
For anyone who is interested you can email financial.assitance@halifax.ymca.ca or go the website to look up the information about the program.
#3 – So you may find this question does not directly relate to promoting the YMCA, however in Halifax and throughout Nova Scotia one of the reasons why the people I advocate for through my BLOG cannot join fitness c enters or gyms is because they live on the Standard Household Rate of $950.00 a month, received from the Employment Support and Income Assistance. Program of Community Services in Nova Scotia. They have next to nothing left after rent and bills are paid. The question is What are your thoughts of whether or not $950.00 is enough money for a person to live on, and do you support Basic Guaranteed Income being a possible solution to the problem?
Michelle’s Answer – For us at the YMCA we are not subject to these matters. However, we do listen to the needs of the community and we are interested in being part of the solution. Meeting the needs of our community is our mandate.
#4 – Is there anything-else you can say about promoting the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth?
Michelle’s Answer – Michelle reminds people the YMCA is a multitude of services. “We are always happy to welcome people into our community and we meet the needs where we can.”
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