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 and nominate a deserving person for this award before Monday, October 16. Hard copies of the nomination package are available at our YMCA Health, Fitness & Aquatics facility.

YMCA Peace Week invites people of all ages to reflect on peace, to talk, and to take action,  individually and with others. During Peace Week, November 18 to 25, the presentation of Peace Medals takes place across Canada to honour individuals or groups who, without any special resources, demonstrate a commitment to the values of PEACE through contributions made within their local, national or global community.

2017 marks the 30th Anniversary of the YMCA Peace Medal. It was developed in 1987 by the International Committee at the YMCA of Fredericton. That year, this committee of volunteers and staff was tasked with developing Peace Week support materials for YMCAs across the country. Since 1987, more than 1,900 individuals and groups across Canada have been recognized with YMCA Peace Medals.

In 2017, our local Peace Medal was awarded to Shirley John for her participation in community events, her empathy as a spiritual leader, her advocacy for promoting positive life, her efforts that continuously impact community and her devotion to cultivating unity and empowering others. A well-deserved reputation as a humble, kind, insightful and accepting person, who's name helps illustrate how she is perceived in her community; Shirley is also known as "Strong White Buffalo Woman" and "She Who Sees Visions of Wisdom". Today Shirley continues to give back to the community, while being a strong advocate of PEACE.