Volunteering Across the Association
On April 11, the High Ridge YMCA hosted a pancake breakfast and Easter egg hunt for its community.  According to Amanda Goss, Youth and Family Director, the enthusiastic volunteers from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and One Brick Chicago ensured a great event.  She hopes the volunteers will want to come back to assist with other special events at the High Ridge YMCA this year!

Healthy Kids Day events throughout the Association were enhanced by volunteer assistance from 22 of our YMCA of the USA colleagues.  Special thanks go to Eileen Carroll, Commodity Manager in the Strategic Sourcing Department, for her work promoting our volunteer opportunities at the YMCA national office and coordinating placement of volunteers with us. We also welcomed Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois volunteers at the McCormick Tribune YMCA Healthy Kids Day event, and JC Penney volunteers at the Foglia YMCA event.  Also on Healthy Kids Day at the Rauner Family YMCA, Marty Gutierrez, Executive Director, and some of her board members hosted a group from the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago’s “Young Leaders Society.”  The group toured the YMCA and learned about the communities we serve and the programs and services we offer to meet local needs.  They also had a chance to see one of those great community programs in action—Healthy Kids Day.

As part of “Take Your Kids to Work Day,” a group of United Way employees and their children spent the morning of April 23 with the South Side YMCA Head Start and Preschool Child Care program.  The children in the program had a great time making new friends while reading stories, playing games, doing puzzles and enjoying other fun activities together.

April 25 was “Comcast Cares Day,” and thousands of their employees were involved in numerous service projects throughout the Chicago area that day.  One of those projects was the assembly and delivery of 1,500 “welcome spring” gift bags for residents in our Austin, Independence Place, Irving Park, Lake View, Lawson House and Leaning Tower YMCAs.  The bags contained personal care items, such as combs and toothpaste, and some candies as a special treat.  We’ve already been invited to partner with Comcast on other service projects throughout the Association during “Comcast Cares Day” in April 2010.

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

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Key YMCA Donor Partners Renew their Commitments

Long-time YMCA partner Northern Trust announced a $5,000 grant to the YMCA’s 2009 Kids to Camp campaign and a $3,000 grant for Indian Boundary Y’s youth development and community service programs.  Association-wide the YMCA benefits from the leadership of Northern Trust leaders Bill Osborn and Dave Blowers on the Metro Board.  Steve Ryan, Northern Trust Senior Vice President, serves on the Indian Boundary board.

Congratulations to Elmhurst, Foglia, Indian Boundary, Lattof and South Chicago YMCAs for receiving 2009 PepsiCo Healthy Living Grants.  The $2,500 grants are part of PepsiCo’s national partnership with the YMCA that advances healthy living.  The grants advance health and well-being programs and support America on the Move Week and YMCA Healthy Kids Day in the spring.

Dr. Scholl Foundation granted $20,000 to renew its partnership with the YMCA Black & Hispanic Achievers (BAHA) Program for the 2008/2009 school year.   BAHA will celebrate its 35th anniversary on June 25 at the Annual Recognition Awards Program.  A recently established Steering Committee chaired by Deborah Brown, Director, Station Relations for NBC 5 Chicago, is actively attracting new leadership and resources to the expanding program.  Baker & McKenzie, Comcast, NBC 5 Chicago and Milhouse Engineering & Construction also are major BAHA partners this school year.

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Association Training Event

The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago hosted another successful regional training event.  A special thank you to our trainers:  Linda Dean, Barbara Taylor, Mary Pedersen, Shelly Butler, Steve Ryan, and Minneapolis trainer Orville Lindquist.  Sixtenn certification courses, five of which were trainer level, were offered.  The Association welcomes these new trainers (or trainers of additional courses) into the system:  Kyle Kamman, Deb Strus, Linda Geradi, LuAnn Wachsmuth, Mary Pedersen, McCamie Cole, Ashley Rowden, Angelic Graves, Leticia Jones, Shannon Payton, Amanda Goss and Ashley Hansen.  In total, the association issued 153 certifications at the basic and director level and 13 at the trainer level.  Thanks to all who supported this event by sending staff or by participating.  For more information, please contact Barbara Taylor, Executive Director and Vice President of Operations.

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Ray Vazquez Named Chair of the YUSA Hispanic/Latino Leadership Network

Ray Vazquez, Executive Vice President of Government Relations, has been selected Chair of the YUSA Hispanic/Latino Leadership Network. This is an exciting opportunity for our Association to help the movement determine how best to attract and develop Latino talent. Ray and the committee have hard work ahead—establishing bylaws, defining a committee structure and refining their strategic plan—but we’re confident Ray and the team of Y executives across the country can move us in the right direction. For more information, please contact Ray Vazquez, Executive Vice President of Government Relations.

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JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge
Several Y Metro Chicago and YUSA employees joined more than 17,000 other runners in the Chase Corporate Challenge on May 21. The event raised funds and groceries for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. For more information, please contact Barbara Taylor, Executive Director and Vice President of Operations.

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BAHA College Tour Visits Nation's Capital
and Tours Nine College Campuses

During the Chicago Public Schools’ spring break, students from our Black and Hispanic Achievers program traveled to the District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania on the 2009 Spring Break College Tour.

During the week-long tour, Achievers visited nine colleges and Universities, ranging from the urban setting of Howard University to the rural campus of Penn State Greater Allegheny.

Highlights from the tour included meeting youth leaders from the DC Youth and Government Program for a special night of fun and fellowship at the National Capital YMCA; attending a practice session of the Coppin State Marching Band; and interacting with student leaders during a University of Pittsburgh college reality panel discussion held especially for the Chicago Achievers.

For most of the Achievers, the college tour was their first in-depth exposure to the college admissions process and college life.

For more information, please contact LaDawn Norwood, Director of Youth Development.

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Black and Hispanic Achievers
Participate in Comcast Cares Day

On April 25, Comcast employees volunteered their time to the YMCA Black and Hispanic Achievers program as part of their annual Comcast Cares Day.  Students participating in the BAHA Communications Cluster were able to speak with managers and supervisors in the technical operations, dispatch, and information technology department, and receive information regarding their various roles and responsibilities. They also had an opportunity to tour one of the Comcast facilities, including the warehouse, and ask questions about the field of communications and Comcast. Overall, the Achievers had a great time and went home with some gifts as well. For more information, please contact Tequilla Lopez, Program Coordinator.

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Mission Work Shining Through at Buehler

When families started canceling their memberships due to financial reaons, Buehler YMCA knew it had to take drastic and immediate measures to keep families at the Y.  Buehler is taking the "No One Terminates" philosophy far beyond a free month of membership.  They formed an "Every Member Counts" team whose main purpose is to have either a face-to-face or phone conversation with every member that asks to terminate his or her membership.  To date, the center has saved almost 70 memberships from terminating and most have been families experiencing some type of financial difficulty.  The process involves regular contact with all members in the plan and following them on their journey back to better times. For more information, please contact Bill Kelly, Member Relations Director.

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CYG Alum Makes a Difference

Happy Johnson was active in the Y’s City Youth & Government (CYG) program, serving one term as City Clerk and two as Mayor.  He went on to Government & Public Policy studies at Georgetown University, was active in student government and did an internship in the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence.  “CYG taught me the value of political participation,” Happy says, “and inspired me to devote my life to public service.”

Happy volunteered with the Red Cross in 2005 to help New Orleans hurricane victims.  He became an Emergency Response driver and established Blanket New Orleans (BNO) which has mobilized volunteers from across the US, distributed more than 600 blankets to those in need, and gutted 15 homes for reconstruction.  BNO started Bike Katrina which retraced the storm’s route through the Gulf Coast and attracted resources to relief efforts.

BNO is winding down its work and supporting other New Orleans non-profits that have similar relief structures in place.  The Y applauds Happy’s work and thanks the Brinson Foundation for its long-time support of CYG.

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Elmhurst Y Participates in HERO Work Study Program

The Elmhurst YMCA was recognized as a participant in York Community High School's HERO Work Study Program for the 2008-2009 school year at a luncheon held at the school on May 14.  Glenn Taylor, lifeguard and swim lesson instructor at the Y, participated in the program. For more information, please contact Dawn Davis, Member Relations Director.

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ActivTrax is Here

The Elmhurst YMCA is very excited to introduce a new workout tool called ActivTrax.  This web-based, workout partner is simple to use and very effective.  Once participants make an appointment with a fitness coach and are set up in the system, the computer will print a customized workout for them based on their fitness level.  ActivTrax guides them, tracks their progress, and challenges them on their own terms, changing the workouts for each session according to their individual needs.  Stop by the Y for a quick tour of the program. For more information, please contact Dawn Davis, Member Relations Director.

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Mother's Day at Elmhurst YMCA

To mark Mother's Day, the Elmhurst YMCA aquatic staff gave each child who attended swim lessons a carnation to present to his or her mom.  The moms all thought this small token of appreciation was a great idea and they were very thankful for the gesture. For more information, please contact Dawn Davis, Member Relations Director.

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Foglia YMCA Annual Prayer Breakfast

On April 25, Justice Bob Thomas visited the Foglia YMCA to speak about the YMCA’s Strong Kids campaign. 

More than 180 people, including members from Foglia, surrounding churches, schools and communities, were in attendance to hear Justice Thomas speak.  Justice Thomas, a former Bears kicker and former Illinois Supreme Court Justice, shared some of the life lessons he's learned through his experiences.

The event counted on staff and volunteer support that helped with the logistics of the day and collected donations throughout the event.  The Prayer Breakfast raised more than $1,300 for the Strong Kids Campaign, more than any prayer breakfast in the past. 

The Foglia YMCA has been offering the free, community event for the past seven years.  Past speakers include former Bears coach Mike Ditka, and Olympic athlete Josh Davis.  For more information, please contact Sean Nelson, Executive Director. 

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Strong Kids Member Donor Week at Grayslake YMCA

The Grayslake YMCA kicked off its Strong Kids Member Donor Week with a special “We're Here for Good Celebration” on April 22. Members enjoyed healthy snacks and also had the opportunity to receive a fitness assessment where body circumference, blood pressure and flexibility were measured. Fitness assessments were done by Amy Kanzler, Carlos Rosado, Lisa Sullivan and Mike Gasche.  Angie Flesch, Operations Director, and Annette Tarchala, Member Relations Supervisor, were on hand to talk with members regarding the Strong Kids Campaign.  Members were asked to write down something good the YMCA has helped them achieve and to then share with the members.  One of the highlights was by Ruth Johnson who came to the YMCA about three years ago and could barely do eight minutes of cardio.  Now, with the help and support of staff, she just completed running in the Boston Marathon this past April!  For more information, please contact Angie Flesch, Operations Director.

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Big and Bold

The Grayslake YMCA would like to thank Annette Tarchala, Member Relations Supervisor, for helping raise awareness about the Strong Kids Campaign in a very eye-catching way. Thanks to her artistic talents, the logo was painted on the windows, clearly visible to members, and a great reminder of the campaign their donations support. When a member or staff member makes a donation, they actually sign the window next to the logo.  For more information, please contact Angie Flesch, Operations Director.

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Member Donor Week

The Greater LaGrange YMCA held its Member Donor Week and it was a huge success. “Help us Build Strong Kids” was the buzz of the week. The lobby, fitness rooms, and Kids Zone were decorated with balloons, scholarship testimonials and strong kids logos. To raise awareness, staff in our fitness classes, aquatics and youth classes held challenges to raise funds. Kids Zone encouraged kids to bring in their loose change and offered an ice cream/bingo raffle to kids who donated. And, of course it would not have been a success without the great membership staff who were there to talk to members about supporting the mission work done at the Greater LaGrange YMCA. Members who donated had their name displayed on a Strong Kid decal and posted on our Donor Recognition Door. Thanks to the wonderful staff and members, an amazing $1,500 was raised! For more information, please contact Bridgette Letizia, Associate Executive Director.

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Aquatics Open House at High Ridge

The Aquatics Open House, held on May 15, was a success with about 75 people attending throughout the night.  The children had a blast on the inflatable alligator in the pool, while staff answered questions about new summer aquatic programs.  The Dolphins Synchronized Swimming Team did an excellent 10-minute demonstration of their skills and at 7:30 p.m. great pool toys were raffled. For more information, please contact LaVerne Mayomi, Membership & Marketing Director.  

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High Ridge Leaders Club Rummage Sale

The High Ridge YMCA Teen Leaders hosted a community rummage sale on May 16. Teens raised $150 by selling tables and encouraging members to come out and sell their wares. For more information, please contact LaVerne Mayomi, Membership & Marketing Director.

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Surf and Turf

This summer, the High Ridge YMCA launched its first annual Surf and Turf competition. This program was designed to get members and staff engaged. A minimal entry fee offered fitness assessments with a personal trainer, a variety of classes to try and a bit of healthy competition that everyone loves.  Executive Director Jill Grimshaw set the tone for the staff and encouraged more staff to go to classes and try new things, building relationships with members in the process. Surf and Turf has been a hit at High Ridge. For more information, please contact LaVerne Mayomi, Membership & Marketing Director.

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A Job Well Done

The Indian Boundary YMCA would like to thank the maintenance department for their diligent work on a number of projects that have enhanced the center’s appearance, and member and employee satisfaction. In the past five months, they have installed new flooring, indoor and outdoor lighting, resurfaced the parking lot, and stayed on top of the landscaping. Everyone has focused on providing a clean, safe and attractive facility for members.  Thanks for the hard work. For more information, please contact Barbara Taylor, Executive Director and Vice President of Operations.

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Downers Grove Market Opens Early This Season

The Downtown Downers Grove Market continues looking at ways to improve and expand its presence and once again, the Indian Boundary YMCA will be the official host of the Market.  This popular community amenity brings vendors from not only around the area, but throughout the region, as well.  Residents who frequent the Market are treated to a wide array of fresh, unique and scrumptious items, such as fresh produce, flowers, natural soaps, cheese, oils and vinegar, spices, organic meats and baked goods, just to name a few.  Also, many Downtown merchants now participate, making the new Market even more innovative and attractive to patrons.  As part of the expansion, Market-goers can take advantage of free shopping carts and curb-side service to enhance their Market experience.  This year’s Market runs Saturday mornings from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning May 9 through Oct. 17.  Proceeds support Indian Boundary programs. For more information, please contact Barbara Taylor, Executive Director and Vice President of Operations.

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Kids Day America at Lake View YMCA

YMCA member Dr. Sarah Weber of Total Balance Chiropractic organized the 2nd Annual Kids Day America on May 16 in the Lakeview neighborhood. The event focused on creating a fun and entertaining way to educate kids about health and safety.  Kids Day was a community effort run by local volunteers who work in the area.

This great event included many educational vendors for families.  Along with educational seminars, the Lake View YMCA had two instructors that lead a Stroller Workout demo, as well as a Kiddie Bootcamp demo for the participants. Lake View also was proud to have Alana Davidov receive one of the Kid's Empowerment awards.  Alana is a site director at one of our after-school programs and was nominated by Ryan Smith. All proceeds from the event went to the Lake View YMCA.  Thanks to Dr Weber and to all those that participated in the event! For more information, please contact Kellie Staiert, Operations Director.

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Think Green and Give

The Lawson House YMCA was a beneficiary of this year's “Think Green and Give” recycling campaign at Loyola University. Students who reside on campus donate unopened food, toiletries and clothing prior to their departure for the summer.  The university then forwards the donations to local charities.  Lawson House received a sizeable donation of food and items, which were distributed through its Life Development Program.  The YMCA thanks Loyola for their partnership. For more information, please contact Lisa Boulden Williams, Executive Director of Housing.

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Giving Back

The Leaning Tower YMCA would like to thank Linda Dean for donating a Precor stretcher that she won at a recent Association of YMCA Professionals raffle.

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Tower Triathlon

The Leaning Tower YMCA recently held its 24th Annual Tower Triathlon and counted on wonderful weather, excited athletes, and awesome help from staff and volunteers.  A total of 259 individuals finished, along with five relay teams.  Almost 290 people registered for the Tower Triathlon this year, many for whom this tri was their first. Everything from registration to tear down went smoothly and quickly.  A very sincere thank you goes out to everyone that participated and helped out with this year’s event.  For more information, please contact Joshua May, Health and Wellness/Sports Director.

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Young Men's Conference

The South Chicago YMCA Kids Club hosted a Young Men’s Conference to have an open discussion about the issues facing the community. The event was attended by 15 teen males and welcomed several guest speakers to address their issues. For more information, please contact Shelly A. Butler, Executive Director.

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Maternity and Baby Resource Fair

On May 16, the South Chicago YMCA hosted a Maternity and Baby Resource Fair for the community. Sponsored by Hispanocare, 14 vendors, including four area hospitals, came out to share educational workshops, resources, and advice to women interested in having a baby, women who are currently expecting, and women with newborns. The event served more than 150 women. For more information, please contact Shelly A. Butler, Executive Director.

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Junior Guards & Grads Program Receives $15,000 Grant

The West Communities YMCA received a $15,000 grant from the Local Initiatives Supportive Corporation (LISC) to fund its Junior Guards & Grads (JG&G) program.  JG&G is in its second year of operation. JG&G targets youth 10-18 years old and allows them to participate in activities that provide direct experience with teamwork, character building, principals in sportsmanship, and competitive sports.  The primary focus of the activities is to involve participants in a very active, physically-challenging, competitive program which builds self-confidence and self-esteem. It also helps prepare youth ages 15-18 for future work as lifeguards and recreational leaders.  For more information on the JG&G program, please contact Jose Jimon, Program Director.

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May Anniversaries