The Siragusa Foundation Grant Helps YMCA Kids and Families

The Siragusa Foundation, a long-time service partner with the Rauner Family YMCA, has renewed its support of the center’s many youth development programs.  The foundation has awarded more than $30 million to local agencies in order to improve the quality of life in the Chicago metropolitan area.

The Rauner Family YMCA is committing its $7,500 grant to help advance the center’s work with CHAT (Creating Healthy Attitudes Together), Teen Reach, Healthy Family Homes and Black & Latino Achievers.   The grant also advances the center’s partnership with The Greater Chicago Food Depository, the organization that built a Kids Café feeding 100 youth every day.  Youth development is central to the foundation’s mission and helps to fulfill the founders’ vision to effectively help people help themselves.

For more information, please contact Roberto Medina, Interim Executive Director.

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Partnership with the Dr. Scholl Foundation Strengthens YMCA Community Schools

The Dr. Scholl Foundation assists organizations that improve our world and embrace the values of innovation, practicality, hard work, and compassion.  Because the YMCA embodies these values, the foundation has been a long-standing partner with a wide range of YMCA community services.

The Dr. Scholl Foundation recently provided a $15,000 grant to advance this school year’s YMCA Community Schools program.  The program brings youth development organizations, additional partners, and other resources to Chicago Public School students and their families outside of the regular school day.  Nine Community Schools are benefiting from the foundation’s support, many of which serve Chicago’s most underprivileged neighborhoods. 

The YMCA is proud to share the foundation’s commitments to the social and emotional development of Chicago youth and to providing a safe place for children and families to learn and grow.

For more information, please contact Sharon Covey, Executive Director.

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Erskine Cunningham Honored by the Chicago Defender

Erskine Cunningham, the YMCA of Metro Chicago's vice president of human services, was honored by the Chicago Defender newspaper as one of the 2010 Men of Excellence.  The award celebrates 50 African-American men who exemplify passion, responsibility, integrity, brotherhood, and leadership in both their professional and personal lives.  Erskine was featured in a special edition of the Chicago Defender printed on Jan. 13.  He was also honored during a ceremony at the Parkway Ballroom on Jan. 14.

For more information, please contact Lee Concha, Vice President of Public Relations and Communications.

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Volunteerism Has Banner Year

They painted, read to childcare youth, sponsored holiday parties, mentored young people, built playgrounds, and conducted food and clothing drives on behalf of the YMCA.  These are just a few of the ways that corporate volunteer teams helped the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago fulfill its mission of service to the city.

Almost 2,800 volunteers took part in 158 service projects that were hosted at Y centers, human service programs and Community Schools in 2009-a 25 percent increase over 2008.  Many corporate volunteer teams brought financial support to the projects or made in-kind donations, and the total value of volunteer time and in-kind and restricted donations was $488,743.  Some volunteers became members, and all volunteers learned about the YMCA’s positive impact on Chicago.

For more information, please contact Linda Dean, Director of Volunteerism.

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Volunteering Across the Association

Volunteer Groups Step Up to Help Us Serve Our Neediest Members

In December, we were supported by 20 different companies and organizations that participated in projects that improved the lives of people in the Chicago area.  The majority of these service projects involved providing food and gifts that brightened the holiday season.

The YMCA Community Schools program at Ryerson Elementary School, serving children from low-income families, conducted a toy drive to collect holiday gifts for children from the YMCA’s Children’s Services programs. 

The LaSalle Street Club supported the West Side Future YMCA for the third consecutive year, providing food, winter clothing and toys for families in this program.  Harris Bank (for the second consecutive year), a group of our YMCA of the USA colleagues, a group of friends, and a family also worked with the West Side Future YMCA.

The YMCA of the USA Finance Department sponsored the holiday party for the Wabash YMCA School-Age Child Care program for the third consecutive year.  They provided gifts for the children and refreshments for their parents.  The children treated the volunteers to a holiday program which included singing and dancing.  A YMCA professional from Argentina visited and discussed the YMCA’s international influence.

WTAS hosted a holiday party for children in the Rauner Family YMCA Head Start/Preschool program, providing gifts and refreshments for the second consecutive year. Gary Lee Partners joined forces with the YMCA to sponsor a holiday party for children in the South Chicago YMCA Child Care program, providing them with refreshments, craft supplies and gift cards. 

UPM-Kymmene joined the Y again to provide holiday gifts for children in the South Side School-Age Child Care program. Microsoft conducted a toy and winter clothing drive to benefit children served by YMCA Child Care programs at First Lutheran Church and McCormick Tribune YMCA. 

The Elmwood Park Junior Girl Scouts conducted a “Second Chance Toys” donation and presented the Austin YMCA with 200 toys for their community.  Members and staff at Elmhurst, Lake View, Lawson House and Metro participated in a toy and winter clothing drive to benefit children in our Children’s Services programs.  

Each resident at the Lawson House YMCA received a holiday card from their neighbors at the Metro Chicago office.  True Value World Headquarters partnered with the Leaning Tower YMCA to enhance the resident holiday party by providing gifts.  Volunteers from the YMCA of the USA set up and served the meal for the Lake View residents’ holiday party.

WB Games donated 106 E-rated Nintendo games to Indian Boundary, Greater LaGrange, Elmhurst and Leaning Tower YMCAs. Three Target stores donated five pre-lit, pre-decorated Christmas trees to McCormick Tribune, Third Age, Emil Jones, Jr. YMCA Senior Housing and Jesse Jackson, Jr. YMCA Senior Housing.  Unilever donated 600 units of deodorant to the McCormick Tribune, Rauner Family and North Lawndale YMCAs.

Volunteers from MillerCoors hosted a Bingo and socializing event for residents at the Emil Jones, Jr. YMCA Senior Housing. 

Deloitte volunteers spent an afternoon with the Wabash YMCA School-Age Child Care, making holiday decorations.   They also helped with the December Produce Day at Kelly Hall, and Northern Trust volunteers assisted with the outdoor Produce Day at Libby School.  Produce Day was extremely cold, but that did not dampen the volunteers’ enthusiasm, including Northern Trust Chairman and CEO, Frederick Waddell.  We are grateful to both of these volunteer groups for helping unload the Greater Chicago Food Depository trucks and sorting and distributing the food items to hundreds of disadvantaged people who depend on these Produce Days fresh food.

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

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Staff Honor

Gloria Morningstar, the YMCA’s Director of Employment, received the Unsung Hero Award from the City of Harvey.  The award was presented by 5th Ward Alderman Donald Nesbit and honors Gloria’s many civic activities in Harvey and the south suburbs.  Prior to this acknowledgement Gloria received the Thornton Township Woman of Honor award for her contributions to women’s issues as the first female Treasurer for the City of Harvey, her presidency of the Creative Woman Foundation and her membership on the Abby Foundation’s board.

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

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Greater LaGrange YMCA Guides and Princesses Celebrate the Holiday Season in Countryside

The YMCA Guides and Princesses helped usher in the holiday spirit at the City of Countryside’s annual tree lighting ceremony on Nov.  27.  The kids performed Christmas carols for spectators that came to kick off the holiday season.         

The Y Guides and Princess, as part of the  civic responsibilities detailed in this program, are required to volunteer in their community in order to earn honor points.  Four different groups sang at the tree lighting ceremony and each group earned 100 honor points for their tribes.  The participants enjoyed of performing at Countryside’s tree lighting ceremony and sharing holiday joy with the families in their community.

For more information, please contact Debbie Strus, Program Director.

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KEEN Recognizes the High Ridge YMCA’s Commitment to the Community

The volunteer-led organization KEEN provides recreational services to children and young adults with physical and mental disabilities.  The KEEN organization has commended the High Ridge YMCA for making membership fees affordable for families who wish to participate in the Y’s programs and activities, but may not have the funds.  To date, the High Ridge YMCA has awarded over $159,000 in scholarships and financial assistance to help families in Roger’s Park and surrounding communities lead healthier lives. 

For more information, please contact Jill Grimshaw, Executive Director.

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Elmhurst YMCA Introduces Two New Fitness Programs

On Jan. 2, the Elmhurst YMCA hosted a launch party for two new fitness programs.   Each program combines upbeat music with knowledgeable and enthusiastic instructors to achieve an exhilarating full body workout.

BodyPump™  is an hour long class designed to exercise and strengthen the entire body.  This program challenges participants with the most popular and effective weight room exercises.  These include squats, presses, lifts and curls.

BodyCombat™ is an intense cardiovascular workout inspired mostly by the martial arts.  The program utilizes techniques from karate, boxing, Tae Kwon Do and Tai Chi, and results in a challenging yet enjoyable cardiovascular workout. 

For more information about either of the two new programs, please contact Laura Morgan, Fitness Director.

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Greater LaGrange YMCA Teens Hit the Ice

Teens from the Greater LaGrange YMCA skated at the Oak Lawn Ice Rink for their monthly gathering.  The 13 members of this group are bound by their mutual interest in building a healthy spirit, body and mind through YMCA activities.  The group meets monthly and plans a bimonthly field trip.  In order to earn money for their ice skating field trip, the teens participated in a bake sale held during the Y’s Halloween event.  In January, the teens will be discussing other opportunities to earn money to support the community and fund their next field trip.

For more information, please contact Debbie Strus, Program Director.

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Elmhurst YMCA Will Host Annual Dinner Dance

Mark your calendar for the Elmhurst YMCA’s annual dinner dance on Saturday, March 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the River Forest Country Club.  This year’s exciting theme is “Springtime in Paris” and promises to be a night of pure elegance. 

There will be only one raffle prize at this year’s event—a 2010 Smart Car produced in France.  The environmentally friendly Smart Car is about half the length of an average car and is one of the most fuel efficient vehicles available for purchase in the United States. 

Only 250 raffle tickets will be sold, costing $100 each.  The Smart Car winner will be responsible for the taxes, license and registration fees. 

For more information on the dinner dance or the raffle prize, please contact Suzanne Wolf, Business Assistant. 

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Katherine Scharko Joins YMCA Finance Team

Katherine Scharko has joined the YMCA finance team as Association Controller. Kathy brings many years of financial expertise and experience to the Y.  For the past year, Kathy has been the Director of Financial Reporting at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT).  Prior to that position, she was Vice President of Finance and Controller at IIT for two years. Kathy has held many positions in finance, including Director of Restricted Accounting at DePaul University and Accounting Manager at the CPA firm of B.L. Rosenberg & Co. Kathy is a graduate of DePaul University with a Masters in Accountancy.

For more than 20 years, Kathy has been a member of the Irving Park YMCA.  Please welcome her to the YMCA family of employees.

For more information, please contact Gloria Morningstar, Director of Employment.

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Seniors Enjoy Opera at the Center for Performing Arts

On Jan. 17, residents from the Jesse Jackson, Jr. Senior Center and the South Suburban Senior Center enjoyed Johann Strauss’s opera Die Fledermaus at the Center for Performing Arts.  This romantic opera is set in the historic city of Vienna, Austria.

The tickets were purchased for the seniors through a generous grant from Arts Midwest.  The organization strives to connect Midwestern residents of all backgrounds to meaningful arts opportunities.

Before the performance, the seniors were treated to a full explanation of the opera in the Hall of Governs.

For more information, please contact Gloria Morningstar, Director of Employment.

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YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago Employee Attends the American Humanics Management Institute

We want to extend our congratulations to Sarah Hertsted-McCrary, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago Employment Coordinator, for being selected to attend the American Humanics Management Institute in Phoenix.  American Humanics is an organization that equips college students with the necessary skills, experience and information to become leaders in the non-profit sector. 

Each year, YMCA of the USA sponsors YMCA staff members from across the country to attend the Management Institute and represent the Y as a major employer of college graduates in the non-profit arena.  Sarah participated in workshops, conducted career coaching and staffed a booth.  YMCA of the USA covered all expenses for Sarah’s trip, including airfare, hotel and meals. 

For more information, please contact Gloria Morningstar, Director of Employment.

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January Anniversaries