YMCA Seeks Nominees for the 2023 Peace Medal

Kingston & Brockville – Help the YMCA of Eastern Ontario shine a light on people in our communities who do good and create positive spaces, at home or abroad by nominating someone for the Y’s 2023 Peace Medal.

Each year, the YMCA of Eastern Ontario and YMCAs across Canada celebrate peace in our communities and reflect on the peace-building work that happens all year both inside and outside the YMCA.

During this annual event, YMCAs celebrate acts of peace by recognizing individuals and groups who, without any special resources, status, wealth or position, have demonstrated a commitment to building peace within their community or communities elsewhere in the world. Peace-building – or doing good – is core to the YMCA’s commitment to strengthening the foundation of healthy communities and is part of the YMCA of Eastern Ontario’s year-round programs.

Starting on November 26, this year’s theme is “Do good. Build peace,” YMCA Peace Week 2023 focuses on celebrating people who do good in communities here or around the world. Their efforts will continue to inspire our work throughout the year. During YMCA Peace Week, we encourage Canadians to ask themselves how they can bring change to their communities.

“It’s important that we work together to create peaceful communities where everyone feels that they belong,” says Rob Adams, CEO, of YMCA of Eastern Ontario. “By celebrating YMCA Peace Week together, we are taking a stand and creating the future we want for our community, country and world.”

YMCA Peace Week illuminates how the work of building peace needs to as individuals, as communities, and as a country, to consider where we’ve been and where we want to go.

“We all have opportunities each day to choose to act for peace. They may be small actions, but they make a big difference and create a ripple effect across our region. By sharing our message of peace, kindness and optimism, we hope to inspire others to become engaged in positive actions,” says Adams.

A special highlight of this week is the presentation of one or more YMCA Peace Medals to an individual or group who contributes to community wellbeing, whether that community is at the local, national, or global level.

Adams added, “We are seeking nominations of individuals or groups who are doing great things. There is very positive work being done by local people at home and abroad, and we hope to shine a light on these wonderful volunteers.”

This year’s medals will be presented to the honorees at the end of November. There are two categories —one for youth and one for adults. The deadline to submit nominations is November 20.

For more information and to nominate please visit: https://eo.ymca.ca/peace-medal-awards