YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them to grow, lead and give back. We help create opportunities for personal growth, community involvement, and leadership for everyone, including children, teens, young adults, older adults and families. Through a wide variety of programs and services, we are building a brighter future in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) for vibrant communities where everyone can shine. That’s why the YMCA of Greater Toronto works to promote equity and boost well-being in the GTA. Across our network of 400+ locations, we are a leading charity that helps everyone from all walks of life, including their most vulnerable community members. YMCA has been a member of TRIEC Mentoring Partnership (TMP) since 2022.
Manoj Bhattarai Director, Employment and Immigrant Services at YMCA of Greater Toronto shares why it is important for them to be involved in TRIEC Mentoring Partnership.
Why did YMCA decide to become a community partner in TRIEC Mentoring Partnership?
We were looking for a mentorship partner for our newcomer clients in our Cloud Computing and Big Data program especially with the following expectations:
- Sharing information about occupation-specific sectors in Cloud Computing and Big Data in Canada
- Sharing insights on employment trends and industry skills to fill gaps of newcomer professionals, and assist them in successfully integrating into the labour market
- Hosting information sessions to explain how mentorship helps our newcomer participants
- Referral to our services, where applicable, if potential participants contact you directly
- Mutual use of branding for value addition in the promotion of the services to multiple stakeholders
How do you think the program will help you meet your Community Engagement goals?
- Mentors can empower newcomer professionals to set career goals by sharing their real-life experiences. They can also provide insights into industry prospects, so newcomer professionals can share their career goals.
- The mentor can increase awareness and share industry perspectives in mentees by explaining the required skills and complementary skills needed to be successful in the industry. They can help relate newcomer professionals with their current skills to relevant skills in the short-term, and guide for long-term competencies.
- Mentors can transfer knowledge about the professional network so that newcomer professionals will know who and where to network.
- Mentors may also provide other relevant support in integrating newcomers into the community.
How will newcomers benefit from the program when they register with YMCA?
The newcomers are supported holistically, from the language assessment to some settlement referrals. But mainly get support for career assessment, pre-employment training, referral to bridge program, and other necessary connections to thrive in Canada.
YMCA serves many different regions in the GTA. How do you think this reach will help impact the growth of the program?
YMCA of Greater Toronto believes in positively impacting the well-being of the people who live in the Greater Toronto Area and its surrounding regions. We expect that this partnership will undoubtedly increase the growth of the program.
What would you say to another organization that is thinking about joining TRIEC Mentoring Partnership?
The TRIEC Mentoring Partnership is critical when serving newcomers for not just the mentoring match but also for knowing the current trends, enhancing organizational networks and contributing in a collaborative way to newcomers to enjoy, grow and contribute in Canada.
You were a mentee in the program in 2010. How did participating help you get your career started in Canada?
As a mentee, I would say that I had a holistic perspective of integrating myself into the Canadian labour force and the community. My mentor was very professional in her plan, punctuality, communication, information-sharing, and expression; I learned those from her. Despite being busy and working in a leadership role, she was there for anything I needed. The mentoring program helped me reshape my professional mindset from where I come from to where I wanted to be enriched (Canada). I believe that helped me to be where I am today.
If your organization would like to become a community partner with TRIEC Mentoring Partnership like YMCA, visit our Community Partner page to find out more, or email us to set up a time to talk – mentoring@triec.ca.