NBC Partners with BAHA

The NBC Universal Foundation has awarded the YMCA Black & Hispanic Achievers Program a $25,000 grant to advance the program in the 2009/2010 school year. The foundation supports programs that strengthen public secondary education and recognizes groups that provide quality cost-effective services and collaborate well with other organizations.

Deborah O. Brown, Director of Station Relations for NBC 5 Chicago, is chairperson for the BAHA Steering Committee that is attracting support and helping to lead the program. LaDawn Norwood, the YMCA’s Director of Youth Development, accepted the grant from Dr. Sandy Goldberg, NBC 5 Chicago’s health contributor.

For more information, please contact Mark McKelvey, Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations.

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Volunteering Across the Association

During the month of July, 130 teen volunteers and adult chaperones from the Chicago Center for Student Missions contributed 700 hours of volunteer service in our city childcare programs. The volunteers interacted with the children by playing games, helping them with craft projects and participating in other fun activities together. They also assisted the staff with cleaning and organizing tasks. It proved to be a positive experience for both the volunteers and the centers.

Twelve High Ridge YMCA teen campers traveled to the North Lawndale YMCA on July 31 to help set-up and host the “Transition Ceremony” for the Head Start and preschool children who will begin kindergarten this school year.  The volunteers reported that they enjoyed acting as hosts and ushers for the family members and friends who came to the ceremony. Leslie Hampton, Child Care Director, was happy to have their assistance on this very special day in the lives of these children.

More than 400 corporate volunteers from seven companies helped YMCA programs and facilities in July. Twenty-five Accenture volunteers helped with the Kelly Hall YMCA Produce Day, unloading the Greater Chicago Food Depository truck and sorting and distributing food to disadvantaged area residents. 

For the fifth year, Goldman Sachs sponsored our Children’s Services’ Summer Games event for the school-age child care program, hosted by the South Side YMCA. Thirty-five Goldman Sachs volunteers led a variety of activities with the children, including soccer, kickball, basketball, volleyball, football, parachute, Frisbee and hula hoop games. They also awarded trophies for center banners designed by the kids: 3rd place – North Lawndale YMCA; 2nd place – South Chicago YMCA; and 1st place – Rauner Family YMCA. 

PricewaterhouseCoopers sent 250 volunteers to complete service projects at Austin, High Ridge, Irving Park and Lattof YMCAs. They painted, landscaped and cleaned, helping improve the facilities at these four centers. 

Thirty volunteers from Kimco completed a number of facility-cleaning projects at the Lattof YMCA, including washing the climbing maze, windows and fitness equipment, and shampooing carpets. 

Three different groups of Northern Trust volunteers participated in service projects at Wabash and North Lawndale YMCAs.  They assisted with the North Lawndale YMCA Kids Fest event, helping set up, run and clean up the activities for children and families. They also spent a couple of Tuesday mornings with the Wabash school-age child care program, serving breakfast and playing games with the children.

Thirty Deloitte volunteers hosted a carnival for the Rauner Family YMCA child care program, providing an afternoon of fun games and activities for the children. 

Ten volunteers from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois assisted with a three-on-three basketball tournament for teens hosted by the McCormick Tribune YMCA. The volunteers helped with registration and served as scorekeepers, timekeepers, and referees during the games.

For more information about group volunteer projects, please contact Linda Dean, Director of Volunteerism.

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Back 2 School Drive

The YMCA of Metro Chicago and the Community Currency Exchange Association of Illinois distributed school supplies Aug. 19 as part of the 5th Annual Back 2 School Drive.

Throughout the summer, donations were accepted at Currency Exchange locations and online. These funds were used to provide needy YMCA children and their families with necessary school supplies. Although the drive provided supplies to an astounding 1,800 children last year, thanks to a generous gift from Western Union, the number tripled this year to meet the rising demand. Other sponsors of the drive were Legoland Discovery Center, Kits for Kidz, and I.C.E. Visa Debit Card.

For more information, please contact Mark McKelvey, Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations.

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Indian Boundary Camp Receives Praise from Camper

The Indian Boundary YMCA recently received a thank you letter from one of its teen campers, Andrew, and his family.

Andrew, who is autistic, expressed his gratitude for another great summer at camp. He wrote about how much he enjoyed the field trips, swimming, exercising and just relaxing.

Andrew’s family agreed, stating that Andrew’s time at Teen Camp “left him with many positive experiences and memories. It’s something that could not be duplicated anywhere else!”

For more information about Teen Camp, please contact Shannon Payton, Senior Program Director.

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BAHA Awards Book Scholarships

Three participants of the Black and Hispanic Achievers (BAHA) program each received a $1,000 book scholarship at the 35th Annual Recognition and Scholarship Celebration. Tommie L. Robinson, III and Rachel V. Bradley, recent graduates of Bogan Technical High School, and Lisa M. Ford, from Chicago International Charter School-Longwood, were chosen as this year’s recipients. Each student truly embodies the hope for the future that the BAHA program represents.

For more information about BAHA, please contact Tequilla Lopez, Program Coordinator.

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10th Annual Commit To Be Fit 5k/10k

The Indian Boundary YMCA held its 10th Annual Commit to be Fit 5k/10k on June 7. This year’s record 325 participants enjoyed two new event categories – a Kiddie Dash and One-Mile Fun Run.

Many of the participants also represented two of the center’s newest fitness classes – “Kids, We Got You Running Now” and “Adults, We Got You Running Now.” The event was supported by 15 sponsors and raised more than $1,500 to benefit the Strong Kids Campaign.

For more information, please contact Connie Laidlaw, Fitness Director.

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Thanks for Making Kidsfest ’09 a Success

Kidsfest ’09 at the Dr. Effie O. Ellis YMCA, held July 17, proved to be a great success. The Kidsfest event invited families and community members to explore the Y’s child care and school-age Children's Services programs. It also gave families the chance to meet Y staff, tour facilities and learn about the opportunities available in each community.

The event was attended by more than 130 people from the westside area and neighboring communities. The Dr. Effie O. Ellis staff wish to thank everyone who in one way or another made the event a huge success – namely, the community partners, local businesses and the 31 volunteers. The next Kidsfest, which will be a joint effort with Marshall YMCA, will be held Sept. 11.

For more information, please contact Anelyn Jablo, Site Director.

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Buehler Member Climbs Grand Teton

Recently, the Buehler YMCA helped a member reach another life goal. On July 20, Bill Powell climbed to the top of the Grand Teton in Wyoming, a mostly mid-class five climb. After a 4:00 a.m. start from the Lower Saddle, Bill reached the 13,770 foot summit around 8:00 a.m.

For more information, please contact Bill Kelly, Member Relations Director.

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Fit Fast Food Program Addresses Childhood Obesity

The Irving Park YMCA, a CDBG grant recipient, is working with Family Support Services to address the issues surrounding childhood obesity. The Fit Fast Food program teaches participants how to make healthy lifestyle decisions, including how to make better food choices and how to get 60 minutes of exercise a day. The program emphasizes the importance of developing good habits in order to stay on the road of lifelong wellness.

The program takes place at the Irving Park YMCA Monday through Thursday from 4:00-6:30 p.m. The new session begins Sept. 14 and is free and open to the public. Registration is required and daily attendance is mandatory.

For more information about the program, please contact Lara Pacelt, Senior Program Director.

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Indian Boundary Kids Got Talent  

On July 29, the Indian Boundary YMCA summer camp kids presented their annual talent show in front of an audience of more than 120 people that included parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors. 

According to the School Age Site Director, Meredith Thornton, the kid’s performance this year was one of the best yet.

For more information, please contact Ramona Brand, Director of Child Care Services.

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Lawson House Floating Fundraiser River Cruise

The Lawson House YMCA held its 2nd Annual Floating Fundraiser River Cruise aboard Chicago’s Fair Lady on June 30. The event, sponsored by Katten Muchin Rosenman, LLP, raised more than $17,000. Money was raised through sponsorships, donations, a silent auction and a raffle. The proceeds will help the Lawson House continue to provide housing and free social services to its residents, helping them become independent and vibrant contributors to the community.

For more information, please contact Gloria Johnson, Interim Executive Director.

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Collaborative Effort on Garden

The garden in the Irving Park YMCA play area recently received a team makeover. The soil was turned over by a volunteer group from the local Methodist church; the plants were donated by Home Depot; the garden was planted by the Fit Fast Food Grant kids; and the garden was weeded by a youth group from Iowa.

For more information, please contact Lara Pacelt, Senior Program Director.

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Foglia Hosts 'Idol' and Cookout

The Foglia YMCA recently hosted its annual Foglia Idol event, where campers and counselors performed songs and dances for parents, staff and fellow campers. Vince and Pat Foglia also attended.

The Foglia YMCA also hosted a community cookout on Aug. 22. There were games, inflatables, a dunk tank, food and tables for each department. The event was an opportunity for the community to learn more about the YMCA.

For more information, please contact Chris Berman, Foglia Administrative Assistant.

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Chicago Police Teach Campers Drug and Gang Awareness

The Chicago Police Department collaborated with the South Chicago YMCA Aug. 17-21 to teach drug and gang awareness and prevention to the 9-13 year-old summer campers. The campers participated in several different activities, including dancing, bowling and group discussions. The activities were meant to show the children alternatives to drug and gang activity.

The South Chicago YMCA will host its first "Dance the Night Away" event Sept. 10.

For more information, please contact Claudia Smith, Youth and Family  Coordinator.

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Golf Outing Fund Raiser a “Fore”-midable Success

The Indian Boundary YMCA held its 14th Annual Golf Outing on July 29 at Bolingbrook Golf Club. One hundred sponsors, 55 golfers and many volunteers joined forces to help raise more than $24,000 for Indian Boundary's scholarship program. Activities included a variety of special contests, a raffle, silent auction and an awards dinner. The outing was presented by the Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation, the event’s title sponsor.

For more information, please contact Linda Rockwell, Director of Communications & Special Events.

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Steve Heye to Present at NTEN Conference

The YMCA’s resident social media author, Steve Heye, will present a leadership skills session at the Nonprofit Technology Network’s (NTEN) upcoming conference, "Managing Technology to Meet Your Mission."

The online conference will bring together the other authors of the NTEN book and will take place Sept. 16-17.

For more information, please contact Steve Heye, Web Project Manager.

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Bud Billiken Parade

The North Lawndale YMCA Pom Pom Squad participated in the 80th Annual Back to School Bud Billiken Parade Aug. 8. The parade is the nation's oldest and largest African-American parade and is meant to encourage kids as they start the school year. Hundreds of thousands of people attended this year's parade.

For more information, please contact Erskine Cunningham, Vice President of Human Services.

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YMCA Employee Goes the Extra Mile
Jennifer Harris, South Chicago YMCA Lead Camp Counselor, took challenges presented to her and turned them into an adventure for the11-12 year-old summer camp participants. She demonstrated YMCA core values every day through group or individual activities.

For more information, please contact Shelly Butler, Executive Director.

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