Volunteering Across the Association

Corporate Volunteers Participate in Service Projects throughout the Association

We were pleased to work with 292 volunteers from nine companies and organizations, contributing a total of 1,072 hours of service in September.  The month kicked off in a big way, with 40 volunteers from Unum joining McCormick Tribune’s Teen Reach kids and other community volunteers for the monthly Produce Day. They unloaded the fresh produce and other food items from the Greater Chicago Food Depository truck and sorted and distributed the food to hundreds of disadvantaged area residents.  WGN-TV joined in, broadcasting live reports on its morning show about the larger issue of hunger and encouraging their viewers to get involved.  It was a stellar example of organizations and individuals coming together to serve a pressing need that has been aggravated by current economic conditions. 

Later in the month, three volunteers from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois joined Our Lady of the Angels parish volunteers to unload, sort, and distribute fresh produce and other food items to several hundred adults and families at the Kelly Hall YMCA Produce Day.

Our third Produce Day, hosted by our YMCA Community School program at Libby Elementary School in Washington Park, welcomed 12 volunteers from Manager’s Investment Trust to help them unload, sort, and distribute fresh produce and other food items to several hundred disadvantaged residents of that community.

Two groups of Northern Trust employees volunteered to paint residence rooms and hallways at the Austin YMCA.  A group of 10 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois volunteers helped with registration and various activities at the High Ridge YMCA “Fitness Carnival” event that kicked off their America on the Move week. 

Once again, this year Fireman’s Fund reached out to the Indian Boundary YMCA as a service partner.  Six Fireman’s Fund employees spent a morning painting the washrooms in the pavilion.  After a summer of heavy usage, this was a very welcome improvement to the facility. 

Associated Bank partnered with us for the first time, as nine volunteers visited the Wabash YMCA school-age child care program.  They helped serve lunch, played games and sports, did craft activities with the kids, and chipped in to help with some cleaning and organizing tasks. 

Forty-three Federal Express employees spent a day at the Lawson House YMCA painting elevator lobbies and other common areas. The resulting improvements were very appreciated by the Lawson House residents and the staff.  Federal Express also covered the costs of the painting supplies and materials necessary for this project.

Our friends at One Brick, a volunteer organization totally managed by volunteers, brought us a group of 160 Discover Financial Services volunteers. We matched this large Discover Financial Services group with YMCA Camp Duncan, and the camp staff laid out a comprehensive list of service projects for them. In one day, these volunteers cleared away downfall and brush all over the grounds, deep-cleaned cabins and helped office staff prepare a large mailing. 

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

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Cudahy Fund Helps Youth Get to Camp

The Patrick and Anna Cudahy Fund renewed its partnership with YMCA Camp Duncan, providing a $7,500 grant for scholarships for youth campers from low-income families. Camp Duncan is the longest-serving YMCA camp in the Chicago area, attracting more than 27,000 campers in 2008, many of whom experienced their first real independence away from home. Its recent day camp enrolled more than 3,000 campers, making it the largest day camp in the Chicago-area YMCA system. Both the Cudahy Fund and YMCA Camp Duncan have a strong commitment to helping youth of all backgrounds attend camp, and to reaching out to special needs medical campers.

The Cudahy Family and Fund have long partnered with metro Chicago and Wisconsin social service, youth, and education programs to improve community quality of life. It recognizes that for youth of all backgrounds, going away to camp can be a transformative experience that lasts a lifetime.

For more information, please contact Kim Kiser, Vice President, Camping.

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E.C.D.E.C. and Buehler YMCA Partner to Serve Hispanic Families
On Oct. 19, the Buehler YMCA started a new program to serve the Early Childhood Developmental Enrichment Center (E.C.D.E.C) tots up to three years old and their parents.

E.C.D.E.C. is a program for children identified as being at risk. Children who qualify for the E.C.D.E.C. program exhibit developmental delays, meaning they are behind their average peers by as much as six months. For this reason, the YMCA introduced a program that could aide in a child’s development.

Parents and children participated in a variety of mini programs that focused on motor skills, creative play and enrichment. This new partnership allowed the Buehler YMCA to reach Hispanic families at an early stage in a child’s development and introduced almost 100 parents and children to the YMCA’s wide range of programs and activities, an opportunity they otherwise would not have had. Membership will be working on getting these families to become Buehler YMCA members. The program meets every Monday.

For more information, please contact Laura J. Brown, Executive Director.

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Indian Boundary YMCA Lights On Afterschool
Indian Boundary YMCA's after-school program participated in Lights On Afterschool on Oct. 22. The children created Halloween-themed art work, which is displayed by Indian Boundary's membership desk. The children spoke with our members about the variety of things they do in the after-school program. Healthy snacks also were served, as health is a major focus of the program.

For more information, please contact Meridith Thornton, School Age Site Director.

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Personal Training Success for Lake View Member
The Lake View YMCA is home to another Y personal training success story. Mike Gambatese, a Lake View Y member, has been working with trainer Chris Golden since early July. Mike recently expressed his gratitude and satisfaction with his personal training experience. Mike has lost more than 25 pounds and said he is in the best shape of his life. He said, "I owe Chris a new lease on life and couldn't find a way to repay him for giving me my life back if I tried." Congratulations to both Mike and Chris for their hard work.

For more information, please contact Mira Kaiser, Fitness Director.

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Fajitas, Greens & All In Betweens

Please join the YMCA Nov. 19 for Fajitas, Greens & All In Betweens, an evening of comedy to benefit the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s youth development programs. This three-night event will feature Chicago's rising stars in comedy and spoken word at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, 777 N. Green Street, Chicago.

Join us for a VIP reception and show on Thursday, Nov. 19 ($50/ticket) or for the Friday and Saturday night shows ($15/ticket). The reception begins at 6:30 p.m., and the shows start at 8:00 p.m. The event is sponsored by American Family Insurance, The Mikey O. Comedy Show, Milhouse Engineering and Construction, State Farm Insurance, TCF Bank, and Vocalo 89.5FM.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, please contact LaDawn Norwood, Director of Youth Development.

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Austin YMCA Center Happenings

Teen members of the Austin YMCA recently participated in the Midwest teen summit in East St. Louis. While there, the teens created multimedia projects and went on field trips to St. Louis attractions. Additionally, they attended workshops dealing with conflict resolution and positive lifestyles. The conference also covered things such as college readiness and career choices. The teens had a wonderful time.

The Austin YMCA has developed a rowing team that first competed on Oct. 23. The Y created a virtual reality rowing room for the team and for members to use for working out. The rowing team consists of members from the Teen Club. Until spring, the teens will row indoors on the rowing machines.

For more information, please contact Cyril Nichols, Executive Director.

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Foglia Teen Nights

The Foglia YMCA began holding Teen Nights in January 2009. While 56 teens attended the first Teen Night, that number has grown to 105 at the most recent gathering. Teen Nights are held once a month on a Friday from 7-10 p.m., and the cost is $5 per teen. The nights include activities such as swimming, climbing the rockwall and playing a massive dodgeball game. The events allow teens to have fun in a safe environment and are open to both Foglia members and non-members. Foglia has visited three middle schools to promote Teen Nights, and they hope to see the number of attendees rise even further.

For more information, please contact Jim Dalbec, Youth & Teen Coordinator.

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Irving Park YMCA Hall of Fame

The Irving Park YMCA held its first Hall of Fame induction ceremony and “Friend-raiser” on Oct. 24. The event is meant to celebrate the lives and accomplishments of several individuals who have been instrumental in the development of the Irving Park YMCA and the health and wellness of the community and members. The event recognized the contributions of the William Lerch Family, Robert “Mr. Bob” Friedrich and Jim Davis. All proceeds from the event go to the Strong Kids Annual Fund.

For more information, please contact McCamie Cole, Member Relations & Marketing Director.

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Coalition on Childhood Obesity in Chicago Public Schools

The YMCA of Metro Chicago has partnered with the Chicago Bulls and Dynamic Wellness in the formation of a new program, the Coalition on Childhood Obesity in Chicago Public Schools. The program focuses on teaching nutrition, fitness and overall wellness to improve the health of children, families, faculty and staff in YMCA Community Schools.

The "tip-off" to the program was held Oct. 19 at the United Center prior to that night's Chicago Bulls game. Alton Baird, president of Dynamic Wellness, introduced the "Train-the-Trainer" Community Schools Wellness program from the floor of the United Center to a large group of community schools students, faculty, staff and families that will be recipients of the program.

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

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South Side YMCA Youth Run for "Fit Nation"

Over the past two months, almost 100 10 to 14-year-old South Side YMCA youth members participated in their first “segmented marathon” as part of CNN’s “Fit Nation” initiative to raise awareness about obesity prevention. After accumulating 25 miles, they ran their last 1.2 miles on the same day as the Chicago Marathon, Sunday, Oct. 11.

The night before the marathon, participating youth had a slumber party at the South Side YMCA where they swam, had a healthy dinner, played games and prepared for the next morning’s run.

For more information, please contact Cherita Wilson, Executive Director.

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Black and Latino Achievers 36th Annual Kick Off

The Black and Latino Achievers (B.L.A.) program recently celebrated its 36th annual kickoff with a camping trip. B.L.A. took teens to YMCA Camp Minikani in Hubertus, Wisconsin. The event provided an opportunity for the teens to bond with each other, learn about the program and spend time outdoors. They had an excellent time rock climbing, using the high and low ropes, as well as participating in team-building activities. By the end-of-trip bonfire, everyone was one big family.

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

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Indian Boundary YMCA Thanks JCPenney

Each year, the JCPenney in Woodridge holds 4 sessions of "round-up" to benefit the Indian Boundary YMCA's after-school program. During the "round-up," JCPenney customers are asked if they would like to round-up their purchase to the next whole dollar amount. The "round-up" difference goes to Indian Boundary's after-school program. JCPenney has held three sessions this year and has collected more than $1,500. The Indian Boundary YMCA celebrated their success by inviting them to a complimentary visit to the Y and giving them treat bags as a thank you. The children in the after-school program are currently making thank you cards for their hard work and dedication.

For more information, please contact Meridith Thornton, School Age Site Director.

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Elmhurst YMCA Octoberfeast

The Elmhurst YMCA Active Older Adults celebrated Octoberfeast on Oct. 20. Entertainment was provided by Burt on the harmonica as well as a memory lane of photos from the participants younger years. A luncheon potluck was served, which included bratwurst and sauerbraten.

For more information, please contact Karen Keenley, Fitness Director.

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Kelly Hall S.W.I.T.C.H. Program

The Kelly Hall YMCA has started a new program called S.W.I.T.C.H. (Sisters With Intentions To Change Habits). S.W.I.T.CH. is a pre-teen and teen peer group that focuses on the message of abstinence. With 30 pre-teen and six teen girl members, the program has had an excellent start. In addition to their abstinence commitment, the group also discusses hygiene, peer pressure and drug abuse. The founder, Shaneen Jackson, has big plans for the girls this year.

For more information please contact Shaneen Jackson, program leader.

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