"I am 56 years old and I decided to go back to school with the help of the YMCA. I was a carpenter for many years but at my age I was looking for some lighter work so I had to go back to school. This was not easy for me to go back to school because I was not as handy as my kids were with technology and I thought it was kind of embarrassing for someone my age to be going back to school.
Then when I went to the YMCA they assured me and explained to me that many people my age are doing the same thing. So I went through all the steps with my career councillor Cindy Willcott and now finally I am a student at NSCC and hopefully on to a better career and easier way of life. Hopefully after reading this you to will decide that going back to school is the right step to take towards a better future" - Ken White
"Many months ago I came to your centre for assistance, as I had recently lost my job because of company cuts backs. No matter what the reason may be, the loss of a job is a terrible blow for people in many different ways and for many different reasons.
Because of my situation I was so grateful to make use of your facility and the knowledge of the YMCA’s well trained staff. There I learned many things. First and foremost you hold workshops that inform the public of the different programs available through Service Canada. These workshops also include such topics as effective communication, interviewing skills, right down to the fine tuning of a resume...
I would like to inform you that I am now being funded through Service Canada to return to school for Business Administration all because the Dartmouth Career Development Centre. It is very exciting for me to think I will be one of the first to graduate from the new NSCC Waterfront Campus!
" - Stephanie Fahey
"I had recently lost my job and went to the YMCA Employment Centre looking for help. What I found was the self employment benefits program, and with the help of my case manager was able to apply and get into the program starting his own animation and graphics business.
Now 2 months later my business is taking off and I’ll soon be able to support myself from my own office. None of which would be possible without the help of the YMCA Employment Centre" - Leland Bird
"A few months ago I returned to Nova Scotia (from Alberta) only to not be able to find work and had to apply for unemployment. It wasn’t my first time on unemployment, for years I have been switching and loosing dead end jobs. I lived in Alberta for about 6 months, I moved out there in hopes of finding a better job and a bigger pay check, but I soon found out I was no better off there then I am here in Nova Scotia, with no education.
Returning to Nova Scotia, I knew I needed and wanted to do something about my situation, I called Service Canada, and they gave me the phone number to the YMCA. By the end of the week I had a meeting with staff at the YMCA Employment Centre
They were so friendly, helpful and patient; and made me feel so comfortable.I enrolled into the Adult learning program at NSCC to receive my grade 12.
Because of the help I received, I will be the first female in my immediate family to receive my high school diploma" - Mary Steeves
