Picture your first day in a YMCA classroom. You’re trying to remember children’s names, the daily schedule, and where the art supplies are kept. The room feels busy and a little overwhelming. Then a colleague leans over and says, “Don’t be afraid to ask questions. I’m happy to help and answer anything you’re unsure about.” 

That small gesture of support is mentorship. It’s what helps you move from feeling uncertain to finding your place and, eventually, your voice as a leader.

At the YMCA, mentorship is part of the culture. In our In Conversation with Educators video series, educators share how guidance from others shaped their careers and gave them the spark to lead. Their stories show how mentorship — in both everyday moments and leadership programs — can change the course of your journey.

1. Mentorship helps others see the leader in you  

When you’re starting out, you might not picture yourself as a leader. Vanessa didn’t when she began as a supply educator. Her journey changed through the Supervisor Mentorship Program, designed for educators who aspire to become people leaders and supervisors. 

The Supervisor Mentorship Program helps participants build skills, confidence, and real-world experience in supervisory roles. It combines in-person leadership training with a placement component, where educators learn alongside a mentoring supervisor. More than a program, it creates a culture of mentorship and continuous growth across Child Care and Family Development.

Within just four months at the Y, Vanessa became an On-Site Supervisor — an unusually fast but inspiring journey. She still remembers the encouragement that pushed her forward: “I was not comfortable at all becoming a supervisor. Someone saw certain traits in me and said, ‘You need to do it. Apply. Do it.’ I thank that person because they saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself at the time.”

That belief helped her stretch beyond what she thought was possible. Today, Vanessa carries that lesson with her, paying it forward by encouraging others the same way her mentors once encouraged her.

2. Mentorship helps you find where you belong

Shianne didn’t start her YMCA journey knowing exactly where she fit. As a supply educator, she worked in different centres and with various age groups, gaining experience while still figuring out what kind of environment helped her thrive. Each placement taught her something new, but it wasn’t until she found a team that truly supported and mentored her that everything clicked.

Confidence didn’t appear overnight. Instead, it grew through everyday moments — supervisors who checked in, teammates who encouraged her to ask questions, and leaders who reminded her she was capable, even when she doubted herself. That steady support helped Shianne feel grounded and gave her confidence to step forward.

Participating in the YMCA’s Supervisor Mentorship Program became a turning point. With guidance, tools, and encouragement from people who believed in her, Shianne began to see herself differently.

Today, as an On-Site Supervisor, Shianne reflects on the support that helped shape her leadership. 

“Sometimes I still have doubts, but the supervisor I work with reminds me, ‘You’re doing a good job. This is what we’re doing, this is what’s happening, and I’m here with you.’”

For Shianne, mentorship was not just about becoming a leader. It was about finding where she belonged and growing into leadership because she felt supported every step of the way. That experience now guides how she shows up for her own team.

3. Mentorship helps you see your own potential

When Susan first started at the YMCA, she was shy and hesitant to speak up. Entering the field at a young age, she didn’t see herself as a leader or  someone  with a strong voice. But the leaders around her did.

Through steady encouragement and guidance, Susan began to build confidence. Her mentors created space for her to ask questions, share ideas, and learn without fear of getting it wrong. They reassured her that it was OK not to have all the answers and reminded her that everyone starts out learning. Those moments of support helped her trust herself and take on new challenges.

What changed wasn’t just how Susan worked, but how she saw herself. With mentorship, she began to recognize her own strengths and understand that she was capable of more than she had believed. In her own words, she came to realize that she had become great.

Today, Susan brings that same approach into her leadership and her life. She supports her team by encouraging curiosity, openness, and growth. Her story is a reminder that mentorship is not only about building skills. Sometimes, it’s about helping someone see the confidence and ability that were there all along.

4. Mentorship is a cycle that keeps giving

At the YMCA, mentorship isn’t just something you receive, it’s something you pass on. Jennifer, a Supervisor in York Region, remembers how her leaders supported her when she was encouraged to step into supervision. 

“When they encouraged me to become a supervisor, they put me through the Supervisor Mentorship Program, and it kind of helped me be successful.”

Now she’s the one guiding others. Jennifer mentors placement students and new educators every day, encouraging them to try new things and cheering them on when they succeed.

“As supervisors and leaders, we continue learning from our students, because our field is ever-changing. We learn from each other and we share ideas. That’s why it’s a continuous partnership..”

Jennifer’s contributions were celebrated at the YMCA’s Bright Beginnings and Shining Stars event, which honours both new employees and those reaching career milestones. 

For her, that recognition reinforced that mentorship isn’t invisible work, it’s valued and celebrated at every stage of an educator’s journey.

5. Mentorship inspires you to lift others up

Chantol’s story shows how mentorship can inspire you to encourage others. She began as an educator, learning from colleagues who guided her through challenges and celebrated her successes. Their encouragement helped ignite her passion and confidence, eventually leading her into recruitment.

 “Our supervisor or leader at the time saw something in us. It helped to ignite that spark in us and that passion, and now we’re paying it forward.”

Today, as Recruitment Coordinator for YMCA Child & Family Development, Chantol draws on her own experiences to help others to see their potential and imagine what’s possible.

She also participated in the YMCA’s Inspire Black Leaders Mentorship Program, where she connected with senior leaders who continue to learn and grow. 

With inspiration from her mentor, Chantol aims to create a sense of belonging, helping people feel seen, valued, and part of something bigger. It’s the same kind of encouragement she once received, now passed on to the next generation of YMCA educators.

6. Mentorship sustains long-term leadership

If you’ve ever wondered how someone stays in the field for decades, Natasha has the answer: mentorship. With more than 25 years at the YMCA, she reflects: 

“I really felt like I found somewhere where I could make a difference. I met so many people who were such good mentors, and they made an impact in my life.”

Mentorship has also been central to how Natasha gives back. She has delivered and supported the Supervisor Mentorship Program, helping educators grow into supervisory roles with confidence. For her, mentorship goes beyond policies and routines. It includes sharing knowledge of the YMCA’s curricula, YMCA Playing to Learn™ for early  learning and YMCA A Place to Connect™ for school-age programs. Passing on that knowledge helps ensure children receive consistent, high-quality care.

Natasha believes mentorship does not just strengthen individuals. It strengthens the entire community of educators.

From mentorship to leadership

If you’re beginning your journey as an educator, know this: you won’t walk it alone. At the YMCA, mentors are ready to encourage you, guide you, and remind you of your potential often before you see it yourself.

As our educators share in In Conversation with Educators series, mentorship is the thread that runs through every success story. It’s how educators like Vanessa and Shianne stepped into leadership, how Susan found confidence, how Jennifer and Chantol carry the cycle forward, and how Natasha shows that mentorship sustains the work for the long haul.

At the Y, mentorship is part of our culture, supporting your growth at work and beyond. You build skills, confidence and community, and in turn, become the spark that inspires others to lead.