2015

CN and the YMCA join forces to ensure the safety of youth

Montréal, August 25, 2015 – The Downtown YMCA is pleased to announce a new partnership with CN to meet the needs of the community by ensuring the safety of young people in the Greater Montréal area. By sponsoring the Spinothon, the Downtown YMCA’s flagship fundraising event for the 2015 Annual Campaign, CN made it possible for the Downtown YMCA’s youth programs to benefit from a generous contribution of $15,000.

As part of this new partnership, CN Police Constables are currently touring the YMCAs of Québec day camps in the Montreal area to provide information on adopting safe practices around railways and crossings to help reduce the risk of accidents. To date, CN Police Constables have visited five camps. All told, more than 800 youths will be impacted by this initiative.

Nicolas Garcia, Director of Day Camps, was himself the victim of a train accident in adolescence. “The CN officers’ workshops are extremely relevant. Trains and railways are part of the reality of young Montrealers and accidents can happen quickly,” said Mr. Garcia, who has attended several of CN’s awareness workshops. “The officers have done a great job of adapting the content to spark the children’s interest. There’s a good mix of videos, discussions and true stories. The children even get to leave with an activity booklet on safety around railways”

“Safety is a shared responsibility with our community,” said Stephen Covey, CN Chief of Police and Chief Security Officer. “We are very happy to be partnering with the YMCA. Together, we can raise public awareness about rail safety and save lives”.

Although this is a first partnership between the transport company and the YMCA, CN has long been involved with other organizations that help prevent injury in children or promote healthy lifestyle habits in youth, as well as with hospitals to combat childhood illnesses.

For more information about rail crossing safety, please visit the Operation Lifesavers website at: operationlifesaver.ca

About the YMCAs of Québec
The YMCAs of Québec is a charitable organization that builds stronger communities by providing opportunities for everyone to lead fulfilling, active, healthy and engaged lives. Its 10 YMCA centres, International Language School, Ski School, Residence, Camp YMCA Kanawana and its 43 service sites across the province are visited each year by more than 125,000 people. The first YMCA in North America was founded in Montréal in November 1851. The YMCAs of Québec is part of the Canadian network of 49 YMCA associations. For more information, visit ymcaquebec.org or our Facebook and Twitter pages.

- 30 -

For more information, please contact: sac.cv@ymcaquebec.org

The YMCAs of Québec Newsletter