Leaving the Legacy of Laughter and Learning
Meet Avril Wood Toner, a passionate early learning leader who has spent the past seven years helping shape brighter beginnings for children and families at the YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick.
Before joining the Y, Avril worked with the Government of New Brunswick in the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, supporting YMCA Childcare sites from the government side. When her contract ended, conversations with YMCA leadership encouraged her to apply for the role of Manager of Early Learning and Program Development. She stepped into the position ready for a new chapter not realizing how deeply it would shape her life.
“I remember my first day”, Avril says. “It was so welcoming. People smiled, said good morning, asked if I was new. It wasn’t anything big but it felt personal. You felt connected right away. You feel you belong to this place.”
That sense of belonging became the foundation of her work.
As Manager of Early Learning and Program Development, Avril oversees the North and South Hubs licensed childcare programs located within local schools that provide wraparound support for families who need it most. When she first saw what would become the North Hub, the classrooms were dusty and empty. Today, they are filled with laughter, learning and strong community partnerships that bring services directly to families from free pre-K programs and playgroups to food security initiatives and family supports.
At one of her first steering committee meetings, she was told that her role would contribute to breaking the cycle of generational poverty. It was not a goal that could be achieved quickly, it would require patience, collaboration and deep listening.
“We meet families where they are,” Avril explains. “Everyone has traveled their own road. It’s about finding them there and walking forward together.”
One initiative especially close to her heart is the Sunshine project, a program focused on celebrating children’s strengths rather than highlighting their challenges. Instead of speaking about deficits, educators intentionally recognize what children are doing well. Parents have shared how powerful it is to hear their child described with pride and possibility.
Avril has witnessed remarkable transformations. Children who once cried at the gate during pre-K, are now walking confidently into kindergarten, ready to learn. The gap between children from priority neighborhoods and their peers is beginning to narrow and more children are starting school on similar footing with confidence and readiness.
Like many in early learning, Avril has faced staffing challenges. Rather than simply naming the problem, she sought solutions, helping develop a pathway for job seekers that strengthened YMCA programs and created new opportunities for educators.
Throughout her journey, YMCA values like caring, honesty, respect and responsibility have guided her leadership. The Y has also shaped her in return. Through training, coaching and collaboration with steering committee and colleagues, she has grown not only as a leader but as a person.
“My children notice a difference in me,” Avril Says, “They tell me, Mum you talk differently now.”
When asked about her upcoming retirement in June 2026, Avril paused. Her voice wavers and her eyes fill with tears.
“It’s going to be tough,” she admits softly. “I’ll really miss the community.”
The emotion reflects just how much this work means to her.
And when asked about her best memory at the YMCA, her face immediately lit up.
“Halloween,” she laughs.
One year, she and Adrienne, the YMCA’s Chief Operating Officer dressed up as twins Avril as Danny DeVito and Adrienne as Arnold Schwarzenegger and spent the day laughing with staff and children. “We had more fun that day that anyone could shake a stick at,” she said. It wasn’t just about costumes, it was about joy, connection and the kind of workplace where leaders can laugh alongside their teams.
She looks forward to travelling and new adventures in retirement but leaving the daily rhythm of community life will not be easy.
Avril may not see herself as leaving a legacy, but others see it clearly in thriving hubs that are built to last, in confident children walking into kindergarten and in families who now view the YMCA as a safe, trusted place to grow.
When asked to sum up her YMCA journey in one word, Avril doesn’t hesitate.
“Adventurous.”
And when completing the sentence, “The YMCA has been…”, she smiles. “A great place to finish my career and where I learned to play pickleball.”
The truth is early learning changes lives. Avril Wood Toner’s work reminds us that when we invest in children and meet families where they are, we don’t just support today, we help shape the future of our entire community.
As Avril prepares to begin this next chapter, we thank her for her leadership, her passion and the countless lives she has touched. We wish her a joyful, restful and adventure filled retirement.
Stories like Avril’s are at the heart of the YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick community, and we are proud to recognize and share the people whose passion and leadership help shape it every day.
About the YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick
The YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick is a charity dedicated to building healthy, connected communities where everyone belongs. Through health and wellness, newcomer support, child and youth development, and community programs, we remove barriers, stand against racism and exclusion, and ensure people of all backgrounds have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Help Us Tell More Stories
If you’re reading this and someone from our YMCA community comes to mind whose story deserves to be told, we’d love to hear from you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team and share their story so we can continue highlighting the voices, moments, and impact that make our YMCA so special.