The YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce is calling on our community to nominate a Peacemaker for our annual YMCA Peace Medal. This award honours an individual or group who, without any special resources, status, wealth, or position, has demonstrated a commitment to building peace within our community or globally.
Participation, Empathy, Advocacy, Community and Empowerment: these are the values the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce is looking for in the next recipient of the YMCA Peace Medal. Residents are invited to visit ymcaowensound.on.ca/peace-week and nominate a deserving person or group for this award before Friday, October 18.
Hard copies of the nomination package are available at the YMCA Health, Fitness & Aquatics facility.
The YMCA Peace Medal was developed in 1987 by the International Committee at the YMCA of Fredericton.
“Here at our YMCA, we have honoured 26 individuals and 13 groups from our community, who inspire us with their actions. A list of those recipients can be found on the YMCA website,” said the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce.
The 2023 YMCA Peace Medal was awarded posthumously to Sharif Rahman for his exceptional contributions to peace-building within the community and beyond. Despite his passing in August 2023, Sharif’s legacy continues to resonate with those who knew him and shines in our community every day.
From November 16-23, during YMCA Peace Week, the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce, together with YMCAs across Canada, celebrates the presence of peace in our communities, and reflects on the peace-building work that happens all year both inside and outside the YMCA. Peace-building is core to the YMCA’s commitment to strengthening the foundation of healthy communities and part of the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce’s year-round programs.
YMCA Peace Week invites people of all ages to reflect on peace, to talk, and to take action, individually and with others. It is during this week that the 2023 YMCA Peace Medal recipient will be announced and awarded the prestigious medal.
Learn more and find the nomination form here: ymcaowensound.on.ca/peace-week