IMPACT Magazine issue 6 winter 2012
Inspiring stories that happen at the Y.
JUST LIKE RIDING A BIKE Keeping strong with MS UNIQUE LEADERSHIP Acceptance and opportunity for all SAYING NO TO HUNGER Keeping children fed through the summer PROGRAM CATALOG Winter Season: January 2 - February 24, 2013 Register beginning December 10, 2012 Spring Season: February 25 - April 28, 2013 Register beginning February 11, 2013 1. ISSUE 6, WINTER 2012 PENINSULA METROPOLITAN YMCA LEADERSHIP TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Danny Carroll CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER Tom Carnevale CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Sandy Young HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER Davetta Rinehart REGIONAL EXECUTIVE M.J. Anderson MEMBERSHIP & PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Paul M. Anderson LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Kim Moser DIRECTOR OF ASSOCIATION ADVANCEMENT Leslie Bryant A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO At the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Every day, we work side by side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. You’ll find our staff are committed to our cause and engage our members, volunteers and program participants in it. In this edition of IMPACT, you’ll read how one community is tackling hunger, how a unique girl finds meaning in responsibility, and the inspiring story of a woman’s battle to fight the effects of MS. The Peninsula Metropolitan YMCA publishes IMPACT magazine three times annually to share the charitable mission of the Y through stories that inspire, educate, and demonstrate the remarkable results of Y programs and staffs in the lives of our members and in the communities we serve. Included in the magazine is the pull-out Program Catalog, a comprehensive list of programs offered in your community. I hope you enjoy reading this issue of IMPACT magazine. We sincerely look forward to serving you, IMPACT MAGAZINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Melanie Erickson, Marketing Director PROGRAM CATALOG Kathy Baba, Graphics & Marketing Associate PHOTOGRAPHERS Kathy Baba, Rosabeth Kissman CONTRIBUTORS Kathy Baba Leslie Bryant Sheila Pillath Rosabeth Kissman TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST Nancy Byrum CONTACT 757 223 7925 peninsulaymca.org TELL YOUR Y STORY... Send your Y stories to: firstname.lastname@example.org 2. Danny L. Carroll, CEO Peninsula Metropolitan YMCA IMPACT magazine is produced three times annually by the Peninsula Metropolitan YMCA. The Y is a diverse organization of men, women and children joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility. The Y is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Contributions are deductible for income tax purposes to the extent provided by law. IN THIS ISSUE 4 COVER STORY 6 YOUTH DEVELOPMENT Unique Leadership 4 HEALTHY LIVING Just Like Riding a Bike 6 SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Saying No To Hunger 5 5 PROGRAM CATALOG PULL-OUT 10 YEARS OF BRIGHT BEGINNINGS We could only dream ten years ago, when we started the Bright Beginnings program in Hampton with 50 kids, that it would be so successful and help so many children have happier first days of school. Because of your help, donations, and commitments over the past ten years, 6,399 children started school more confident because they had new clothes and shoes that helped improve their self-image and their ability to concentrate on learning, as well as the required supplies to do the work. Thank you for your generosity and support; the community is stronger because of you. Sincerely, Danny Carroll, CEO Bill Ermatinger, President Peninsula YMCA Board 3. Emily Toney, Emily Perkins and Madison Walker with Joyous. Joyous on the bus with her School-Age kids. UNIQUE LEADERSHIP By Melanie Erickson Joyous Peterson loves her job and takes it seriously. She’s a volunteer for the School-Age program at the Middlesex Y, and when you meet her, you can’t help but think her great big smile and spirit match her name perfectly. For Joyous, the Y is the only place she ever wants to work; ask her, she’ll tell you doesn’t want to go to college, she wants to work at the Y! She was born with developmental issues that affected her hearing and muscle development and which continue to affect her speech and auditory processes. But they don’t dampen her wonderful spirit. Joyous is perceptive and gifted in many ways, but cannot read or do math; but like other seventeen-yearolds, she can navigate the internet and appreciates a good pizza! The Y is more important to Joyous than just about anything else. She started coming to the Y seven years ago, when she was about ten years old. Counselors welcomed her at Summer Camp and the School-Age program, where she was accepted by all, just like every other child. When she outgrew those programs, she couldn’t think of leaving, so she applied to be a Counselor in Training (CIT). The Y’s CIT program teaches young adults how to be camp counselors; they learn to mentor younger kids, lead camp activities, and participate in camp projects, field trips, swimming and fitness activities. Of course Joyous’ approach was unique compared to other CITs’, but she met the challenge. “Joyous, like most of us, responds well to validation, and the Y has totally accepted her and maximized on what 4. she is capable of contributing,” explains her father, Dale. “Today, she is a more mature and socially engaged young lady.” Joyous’ mom, Kathy, continues, “She is very confident since accepting her ‘job’ at the School-Age program. She talks about all the other counselors as friends; this is huge to us and to Joyous. The Y has given her an elevated sense of confidence, and we’ll hear about it for two days when she is rewarded with pizza for a job well done.” “When she was younger and going to Y camp and the School-Age program, I didn’t really consider how valuable the Y was,” Kathy offers, “but I am indebted in my heart for the opportunities Joyous has to be a better and more socially connected person through the Y.” The Y believes all kids deserve to discover who they are and what they can achieve. Photography by Rosabeth Kissman Alissa gobbles up a slice of cheese; part of her healthy lunch. Kayne shows off his basket while “shopping” for healthy foods. SAYING NO TO HUNGER by Melanie Erickson & Sheila Pillath In communities across the nation, the Y is a leading voice on health and well-being for people of all ages. You’ve heard quite a lot about childhood obesity from the Y lately, but another problem exists as well. Children are hungry. None of us likes to believe our neighbors are hungry, but the fact is during the past five years, the number of hungry households grew to the second all-time highest number on record. For the children living where food is insufficient, summers are the worst, because they are likely to go without breakfast and lunch, since they normally receive both those meals at school through governmentprovided food programs. For 89 children in Mathews County this past summer, the Y found the answer to keep them fed. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP*) was delivered through two locations. For the first location, parents would drop their kids off at their schools twice each week. Forty-seven tykes as young as four would line up to wait for the bus to take them to the church, where whole-wheat pancakes, fresh eggs, and fresh berries were on the morning menu. Fresh vegetables and meats, whole-wheat pastas, and whole fruits were on the lunch menu. Fresh milk, juices and water were the beverage choices. There were no fried foods or sweet desserts, just fresh, wholesome food choices. And between breakfast and lunch, the kids participated in a variety of activities selected specifically to emphasize health and well-being. 5. The Y’s sailing and adventure camps served forty- two kids. Boxed lunches were balanced and nutritious and provided the platform to discuss the importance of eating foods from each food group daily. They also set the example of what a healthy lunch should really look like. Boxed lunches were provided for the specialty camps to ensure that, at least during camp, no kid would be hungry. On Wednesdays, all the kids learned to identify healthy foods from each food group through interactive games and play like pretend shopping trips. After nutrition class, the Y offered an array of fun games and activities like Zumba, Yoga, and martial arts. And in honor of the Olympics, we set up a pentathlon of stations where the kids could do crunches, push-ups, Hoola-Hoop, jump rope, and jumping jacks. Other organizations, like 4H and the Rescue Squad, came in to teach important life skills. The kids learned how to save and spend money wisely and what to do in emergency situations. A live animal program also taught about exotic animals and emphasized how to properly care for domestic animals. The kids even made dog and cat toys to deliver to the Humane Society after hearing about all the homeless pets. Through SFSP and specialty camps, the Y made a difference in the lives of 89 children this summer by providing 873 meals. *The SFSP was a collaborative program funded through grants provided by Walmart, the Treakle Foundation and VA No Kid Hungry Campaign. The Church of Francis De Sales provided the location, and the Y provided the program and staff. Strong arms and core help keep Lorrie active and mobile. More work on strengthening her arms. Supported by staff, Lorrie fights a hard fight. Photography by Kathy Baba 6. JUST LIKE RIDING A BIKE By Melanie Erickson “My biggest recent accomplishment has been riding the recumbent bike,” says Lorrie Brantley. “It brings back wonderful memories from years ago, when I used to race bikes, before I got sick.” Monday, Wednesday & Friday mornings, you’ll see Lorrie drive up to the Y in her red van. It takes her about 10 minutes just to get out of her car and to the door. She has to carefully balance to stand and close the door and use the van as a balance bar to retrieve her walker from “I’ve always been an active person, but I like to work the back seat. Once she’s in the door, she still has 200 feet out at the Y because of how I’m treated here. Staff go out to get to the Wellness Center. But Lorrie is relentless and of their way to be friendly, but not just to me, and not determined. Keeping her muscles strong means she remains just because I’ve got MS and need assistance sometimes. less dependent on others; she When you’ve been at the Y can care for herself; she can for awhile, you’ll see what I “My biggest recent accomplishment drive; she can feel good about mean; everyone treats others has been riding the recumbent bike; it herself. And for Lorrie, she with sincere kindness. The brings back wonderful memories from wouldn’t choose anywhere relationships I have at the Y years ago, when I used to race bikes else but the Y. are irreplaceable, and through the training and personal before I got sick. ” Lorrie was just 28 and assistance I’ve received, I’ve - Lorrie an officer in the Air Force gained strength and confidence stationed in Colorado Springs in myself and my abilities. The when she blacked out one staff and volunteers here are morning while getting ready for work; when she awoke, exceptional; I don’t know where I’d be without the Y.” she had extreme vertigo, tingling sensations, and shooting electric-like shocks down her spine. Doctors eventually For Lorrie Brantley, the Y is the means to ensure her diagnosed her with Benign Multiple Sclerosis, a type of mobility and quality of life. relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in which symptoms go away and leave very little or no residual damage or disability. For about half of MS patients, the disease progresses and is no longer benign. That is what happened to Lorrie seven years after those initial symptoms. Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and central nervous system. The disease 7. restricts or even ruins the nerves’ ability to swap signals with a variety of organs, limbs and even the eyes. Patients can have many symptoms; the visible ones are muscle spasms, problems walking and moving arms or legs, coordination problems, and tremors. Lorrie explains, “I have to stay strong enough to pick myself up off the floor should I fall, and to do daily tasks like shower and dress or shop for groceries and put them away when I get home.” PENINSULA METROPOLITAN YMCA 41 Old Oyster Point Road Suite C, Newport News VA 23602 P 757 223 7925 peninsulaymca.org YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE The Y is the unparalleled cause for strengthening community because we are the community. We are a powerful association of men, women, and children joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living, and fostering a sense of social responsibility. Financial assistance keeps the Y available for kids and families who need us most. We count on the generosity of our members and community to help people of all ages and from all walks of life be more healthy, confident, connected, and secure. When you give to the Y, your gift will have a meaningful, enduring impact right in your own neighborhood. Thank you to everyone who has participated in the 2012 Strong Communities annual giving campaign. So far, you have raised just over $780,000 and provided 67,806 opportunities for your neighbors to participate in Y membership and vital programs like child care, swim lessons and leadership development for teens. STRONG COMMUNITIES CAMPAIGN Annual Giving Program 8. Financial statements of the YMCA are available upon written request to the Virginia Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services.