The YMCA of Greater Toronto was honoured at the 7th Annual YMCA USA Diversity Champion Conference in Milwaukee, receiving two awards for our work in the area of diversity and social inclusion.

The Andrew Young Award (named for the African American civil rights pioneer) was presented to Jim Milligan, Head of School, YMCA Academy, in recognition of his leadership and personal dedication to advancing diversity within the YMCA.

The Association as a whole received a Diversity Champion award in recognition of our achievements, including increasing diversity within YMCA staff and donor communities, the diversity training offered to YMCA staff and volunteers, and the recent appointment of Bahadur Mahdani as Board Chair.

Also at the Conference, YMCA President and CEO Scott Haldane gave an inspiring keynote speech on the closing day.  It included personal reflections on his own upbringing, as well as observations about Toronto and the YMCA’s role within it.

Reflecting the high priority our Association is placing on diversity and social inclusion, 22 members of our staff attended the conference and also made two presentations during the week.

The Diversity Champion Conference will be held in Toronto in 2010, marking the first time the event will take place outside the United States.