Young volunteer honoured by YMCA-YWCA

WINNIPEG — A young Winnipeg woman who has devoted her free time and work to helping others will be recognized for her efforts tonight at the YMCA-YWCA annual general meeting.

The Y has chosen Catherine 'Cat' Ross to be the recipient of its 2009 Peace Medal.

Ross, 26, has volunteered with Nine Circles Community Health Centre, with the Global Volunteer Network in Kenya, with Children International, with Siloam Mission's Eat So They Can campaign, and as a UNICEF Global Parent.

"I was shocked," Ross said of her reaction when she learned she the Y had chosen her to receive its Peace Medal. "The work I do, I do on a regular basis. I never saw it as doing anything special."

The Y's AGM takes place tonight at its West Portage branch, 3500 Portage Ave., from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Ross said her interest in the disadvantaged got its start with a Grade 8 project on HIV and AIDs. Following high school, she volunteered with Nine Circles Community Health Centre and became interested in overseas volunteer work, which took her to Kenya.

"An experience like that is life-altering," Ross said.

Ross now finds herself in between jobs after she lost her job as the regional co-ordinator of the local office of UNICEF Canada, which was shut down last week.