The Stratford Youth Centre will benefit from a gift to help in its revitalization efforts.
Ian Lee, commercial account manager, Cowan Insurance Group for the Stratford office, presented a $37,500 cheque on behalf of the Cowan Foundation to the Stratford-Perth Family YMCA.
“In Cowan, we have a caring corporation realizing that they have to give back to the communities where they do business,” said Mimi Price, CEO of the YMCA. “Economic health is contingent on community health and by helping our youth, philanthropic enterprises like Cowan contribute to ensuring a healthy community. This gift to the Stratford Youth Centre signals to youth that, not only does their community care about them, but wants to give them that hand-up in their development.”
The rejuvenation will include new paint, new flooring, new lighting and a new ceiling throughout, plus use-appropriate furnishings including tables and chairs suitable for doing homework and couches.
Rebecca Price, supervisor for the Stratford YMCA Youth Centre, also hopes to update the electronics, computers, television and storage equipment and purchase program supplies.
“The over one-hundred 12-18 year-olds who rely on our Youth Centre and our staff are really 'pumped' about the dramatic change The Cowan Foundation is enabling,” says Price. “We are all extremely grateful and excited about this positive transformation of our dark, worn, adapted restaurant, into a fresh and inviting new Youth Centre.”
For Ian Lee, the commercial account manager for Cowan Insurance Group’s Stratford office, the donation is particularly important, as he can see the impact it is having on the community.
“As an employee of Cowan’s Stratford office, and a member of the Rotaract Club of Stratford, I have the benefit of knowing the impact the Stratford Youth Centre has on our community”, says Lee. “So, I am extremely pleased that Cowan is supporting this revitalization project to ensure local youth have a fun, safe and inviting place to congregate.“
In the photo, from left to right: Ian Lee, Commercial Account Manager, Cowan Insurance Group (Stratford office); Brian Geffros, Region Manager, Cowan Insurance Group; Heather McLachlin, President, Cowan Insurance Group; His Worship Mayor Dan Mathieson, City of Stratford; Mimi Price, CEO Stratford-Perth Family YMCA; and Rebecca Price, Stratford YMCA Youth Centre Supervisor.
