Y Profile | Jean Laurin
“I have been a proud supporter of the YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region since 2016, and eventually serving as Board Chair from 2019-2021." - Jean Laurin.
My passion for the Y began back in 2016 when, as CEO of Encon insurance (now known as Victor Insurance), I asked employees to find a local charity that they served youth in crisis, and they selected the Y’s Second Stage Housing for Youth Program. As an organization, we didn’t want to simply write a cheque; we wanted to make a hands-on impact.
Second Stage was the first Y program we supported, but on a personal level, I soon became interested in all the other supports that the Y offers in the community, from employment services to newcomers, to the TRY Transitional Housing Program for Women, and the Bonnenfant Y Outdoor Education and Leadership Centre, and so many more.
I wanted to be involved in a deeper way, so I joined the Board, and continue to personally support the YMCA-YWCA and its critical programs.
My involvement with the Y has opened my eyes to the challenges and the needs of the community, and I feel very blessed and fortunate to have what I have today. That being said, it doesn’t take much to be able to provide a caring community to Ottawa’s most vulnerable people. You don't need a lot of money to do that. You just need people to care about their neighbours and step forward to help, in even a very small way. Together we can do so much.