community

news 2012: ISSUE 2

IN THIS ISSUE NO ONE IS EVER TURNED AWAY 2 STRATEGIES FOR A STRONGER 3 Celebration YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN 4 HARLEM YMCA’S AMERICAN DREAMER AWARD 8 New Coney Island YMCA zooming forward

o thank everyone whose efforts are The two-story building will also feature A destination for job creation Tbringing the Coney Island YMCA to yoga studios and space for art classes, life, the YMCA held a joyous February community meetings and other events. The mixed-use development will be an event at Garguilo’s in Coney Island The Coney Island Y will anchor a larger important asset for local residents, celebrating the progress of the new complex called Coney Island Commons while the city continues its larger effort center’s construction. that will include two apartment towers to transform the area into a year- with 196 rental units including units set round tourist destination with hotels, Like a roller coaster, the development aside for low and middle-income families new amusement rides and up to 5,000 of the new Coney Island YMCA featured and an 80-space parking lot. apartments for residents that officials say its own particular set of ups and downs. will create thousands of permanent jobs After delays caused by the economic CONTINUED on page 2 downturn, the developer of the project, the Kretchmer Companies, and NYC’s Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and Economic Development Corporation (EDC) worked with Councilman Domenic Recchia to find financing solutions to make the project move forward.

A new Coney Island asset

The new 44,000 square foot center will feature a double-sized gymnasium, an iconic cardiovascular center, youth and community spaces and two swimming pools. Slated to open late in 2013, the (left) CEO Jack Lund thanked Councilman Domenic Recchia for his instrumental role in realizing new Coney Island YMCA will add a the new Coney Island Y. (right) Borough President Marty Markowitz shares a laugh with valuable new asset to an already attendees before being thanked for his support. legendary beachfront neighborhood in southern Brooklyn.

“The new YMCA in Coney Island Commons will provide a much-needed recreational and community facility as well as 100 jobs,” said Councilman Domenic Recchia (D–Coney Island).

1 Coney Island Celebration Strategies for CONTINUED FROM COVER a Stronger New York — including approximately 100 full-time Pinsky, with a special thank you to Major funders discuss the Y’s Strategic Plan positions at the YMCA. Assemblywoman Diane Savino who was unable to attend. for wide-ranging city impact Attitude of gratitude Paul Custer, the YMCA’s Chief n Leap Day 2012, twenty major Physical activity) Program, and piloting At the Garguilo’s event, YMCA of Greater Administrative Officer, acted as master funders attended a breakfast at Y Roads Centers that serve disengaged New York CEO Jack Lund thanked O of ceremonies for the event: “These the University Club hosted by William D. youth, we will address many of New York Councilman Domenic Recchia, Brooklyn people, representing a unique junction Rueckert, President, The Cleveland H. City’s most challenging social issues. Borough President Marty Markowitz, of the public and private sectors, were Dodge Foundation to hear and discuss the Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny, the single-minded and steadfast in the face Y’s new 2012-14 Strategic Plan, Building Forum for feedback Coney Island Development Corporation, of many obstacles to help bring this the Foundations of Community. Nate Bliss, Community Board 13 chair, project to reality.” • Many of the attendees were also present Eddie Mark, and EDC President, Seth The plan was devised to take a bold look during the first breakfast on May 12, Congressman Jerrold Nadler receives his 2011, as we were formulating the plan. thank you in Washington DC from Jack Lund. forward, and is based on the question “What difference will the YMCA make in Now with the plan in place, their feedback ?” was again invited at the February 2012 STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS BY 2014 breakfast. The University Club event was Naming rights for the new Coney Island pools and gymnasium are available. Your organization can become a visible With its threefold approach to strategic attendees’ most recent opportunity to Y Schools operate in 10 schools part of Coney Island for generations to come — please call Paul Custer at 212-630-9686. initiatives, William D. Rueckert described the learn about the results — and the Y’s from opening bell to day’s end plan’s criteria as strong and meaningful: opportunity to hear their reactions. The serving more than 10,000 children “The Strategic Plan is external — focused exchange of ideas was lively, productive and their families. on the children and families we intend to and helpful in pointing the way forward. serve; urgent — seeking to address some Y Strong Kids Card MVP Program No one is ever NEW YORK IMPACT of New York’s most challenging social Foundations and corporations entices more than 20,000 young BY THE NUMBERS issues; and measurable — enabling us represented included American Express, people to increase their Moderate to define, document and report on the Bank of America, Brooklyn Community to Vigorous Physical activity through turned away 200,000 kids impacted positive impact we intend to generate.” Foundation, The Leona M. and Harry an interactive digital badge program. The Y gives New Yorkers $53 million annually makes the YMCA New B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Colgate York’s largest youth-serving agency. Palmolive Company, Con Edison, WABC/ Y Roads Centers serve three in free and subsidized programs high-need communities to support With our three defining Disney, Leon Lowenstein Foundation, 55% of all children age 6 New York Life Foundation, and The Starr nearly 1,000 of the city’s most central principle of the YMCA of We continue to expand our reach – 12 participate in either free or priorities, we will address Foundation, among others. disengaged young adults annually A Greater New York is equality of as we build two new branches now subsidized Y programs. many of New York City’s most — preparing them academically and access. We level the playing field for all under construction The Y is already working with American emotionally, as well as improving have received challenging social issues. New Yorkers by giving them affordable in Coney 78,000 kids Express to recruit a team of social media their employment readiness. special free membership through the or free access to a wide range of superb Island and the volunteers to work on a marketing plan Strong Kids Card initiative. programs that change lives for the better. Rockaways. for the MVP program. The program will Mapping the future use digital technologies to motivate spend part of No one is ever turned away due to 12,000 kids young people to increase their levels their summers in our 45 ACA inability to pay. In 2012 we provided At the breakfast, CEO Jack Lund thanked of Moderate to Vigorous Physical human services, it’s been a challenge to accredited Day Camps or 3 sleep $52.8 million in free, subsidized or William D. Rueckert for hosting the event activity. By participating in the wide share all that the Y does in these areas. away camps — and 71% of sleep sponsored programs to New York City and provided an overview and context range of YMCA youth sports and fitness These three core motivations provide away campers receive some form of residents through all 22 of our branches for the vision and scope of the plan. The programming, young people will earn us with this opportunity as we continue financial assistance. in the five boroughs. • Board of Directors of the YMCA of Greater recognition through a virtual badge to build the foundations of community New York has embraced this ambitious 10,858 New Americans system that rewards young people’s for the kids and families we serve in this vision for improving the health and well- MVP activity levels via a hierarchy of great city.” PAYING IT FORWARD: “Though I had grown up without were served though English classes, being of New York City and its young acknowledgements, virtual rewards and a mother and father, the Y played both roles and citizenship preparation or job people, families and communities. “What difference will the YMCA make in helped send me off to college. I was ready mentally, readiness at our 6 New Americans real-life prizes and gifts. New York City?” Thanks to the strategic physically and professionally,” says Tiffany Younger Welcome Centers and program By building upon our successful public “The 2012–2014 plan aligns with our plan we devised and the crucial input of Harlem Y. “Now my new dream is to graduate law locations... all free of charge. school partnerships to create Y Schools, services that address youth development, we received, one thing is clear: the school and pay it forward by serving as a Chair or expanding our Strong Kids Card initiative Campaigner for a future Strong Kids Campaign.” healthy living, and social responsibility,” difference we make in New York City will through the MVP (Moderate to Vigorous said Jack Lund. “As a ‘general store’ of be widespread and profound. •

2 2012: ISSUE 2 3 You Have the Right to Remain New York Teens Invade Albany Partnering with Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs YMCA Teens Take Over Albany and the Governor’s Office for “Know Your Rights” Forums n election year is the ideal time to from the Vanderbilt YMCA was elected Aengage youth in the fascinating by a body of over 600 New York State The YMCA’s Youth and processes of politics and government. teens as the Governor for the Youth and Government program places Media coverage and public awareness are Government program. Bronx teen Nana emphasis on learning by peaking as candidates and issues take Apraku was elected as the new President experience, and enables New York center stage, and the consequences can Pro Tempore. • teens to grasp the importance of: be profound. • Political campaigns In March, 85 teens from the Y’s Youth & • Voter registration Government program attended the three- day 2012 New York State Conference in • Elections Albany. “The structured program enables • Civic responsibility teens from all over the state to engage in a true experience of political process, • Governance and policy including their own campaigns and elections to office,” saidMarty Forth, Senior Director for Y Teen Programs. NY State Assemblyman Keith Wright congratulates Christopher Walker of New York teens gave a commendable Vanderbilt YMCA for his successful performance in representing the YMCA of election to become Governor for the Greater New York. Christopher Walker Youth and Government program. oining forces with the Mayor’s Office of strengthen immigrant communities by JImmigrant Affairs, the YMCA of Greater collaborating and leveraging resources, New York contributed to the One NYC One programs and opportunities throughout Nation Initiative by hosting 11 Know Your the City. The Y continues to work with Rights Forums for new immigrants at its both the Bloomberg Administration and learn more & GET INVOLVED six New Americans Welcome Centers. Over its foundation partners such as New 500 people attended the forums in YMCAs York Community Trust and One Nation across the city. Foundation as the initiative is rolled out. Did you know that... The forums are structured to inform Dio Gica, Executive Director International (top) Over 500 new New Yorkers attended the immigrant communities about their rights YMCA and Senior Director New Americans “Know Your Rights” events. ■ The Staten Island YMCA was selected as a winner of the To learn more or to — as well as their responsibilities — Initiative, said, “We cannot express “Best Companies to Work for on Staten Island” by the Staten comment about articles in (bottom) Councilmember Jumaane Williams, as the newest New Yorkers. They also enough gratitude to Commissioner Fatima Island Economic Development Corporation. Flatbush Y Executive Director Kendall Charter offer a roadmap to the availability of Shama, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant this issue of Y Community and State Senator Kevin Parker encouraged services supplied by the City of New York. Affairs, who helped us extend our reach ■ 119 other nonprofit organizations join with the Y as a partner and an News, or to get involved participation by many New York City ethnic Interpretation and translation services citywide to serve more New Yorkers. ally in serving NYC communities. groups. are provided when necessary. By offering in Y programs in your immigrants guidance in their first steps “All New Yorkers can help the process ■ New YMCA facilities are under construction in the Rockaways and of assimilation by making areas like community, reach us at: toward understanding personal finance, Coney Island. A new swimming pool is being built as an extension of the legal rights less mysterious to our new college enrollment, city government and Prospect Park YMCA. community involvement, the One NYC One neighbors. After all, more than one out [email protected] Nation Initiative aims to introduce new of every three New Yorkers is foreign- ■ Since 1980, the Staten Island YMCA Counseling Branch has been born. Over eight hundred languages are Americans to our common culture more providing outpatient treatment services for adults and older teens, spoken in New York, making it the most successfully. prevention services for at-risk youth, and counseling services for linguistically diverse city in the world. The initiative brings together the New York City is home to more immigrants children of substance abusers. New York City’s philanthropic, public than all the people in both Boston and ■ 131,800 volunteer hours were contributed by 2,650 YMCA and community-based leadership to Philadelphia combined.” • volunteers in 2011.

4 2012: ISSUE 2 5 THE YMCA BELIEVES IN NEW YORK CITY KIDS We connect private and public support to help kids have fun, learn more and grow stronger

5

2

12

7

16 14

1 4

9

6 10

13

3 8

11 15 10

1. WABC–TV Channel 7 Eyewitness News 3. The Tommy Hilfiger Foundation visited PS 57 4. Bank of America volunteers were welcomed 6. Councilmember Dan Garodnick, Vanderbilt the importance of self-defense, and the 2012 ALBANY ADVOCACY DAY Anchor Sade Baderinwa spent over two in Harlem to see firsthand the Y After School to the West Side Y to paint classrooms for YMCA Executive Director Anita Harvey, and contributions of YMCA branches in helping to 13. Ridgewood Y Executive Director Lakeisha hours speaking with 30 Y teens about her Academy in action. The Foundation believes the Y After School Academy. They generously two of our young members celebrate the keep neighborhood women safer. Harris and Assemblymember Michael Miller career and the news industry, and giving for children to have the greatest opportunity helped to ready the play areas on the fifth major pool improvements made possible by discuss youth issues in Albany. them valuable insights into today’s world of to succeed in today’s world, a stronger floor for the nursery school and weekend funding from New York City and the invaluable THE Y TELLS ITS STORY 14. Bronx Y Executive Director Sharlene Brown broadcast journalism. emphasis should be placed on exposing family time center. Matt Jayes, on the far left, support of Councilmember Garodnick. 10. Councilmember Mark Weprin, Councilmember with State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. 2. Mark Wager, CEO of Empire BlueCross youth to experiences in education and and his team from Bank of America. 7. Senator for New York Kirsten Karen Koslowitz and Jamaica Y Executive 15. Ridgewood Y Executive Director Lakeisha BlueShield, spoke with a group of 25 Y programs that promote youth empowerment. 5. Citi invited kids from the Harlem Y After Gillibrand meets with CEO Jack Lund to Director Cedric Dew visit the Y Afterschool Harris with State Senator Joseph Addabbo. Scholars from Washington Irving High School Visiting one of the classrooms: Guy Vickers, School Academy program at PS 57 to discuss the Y’s children’s health and diabetes site at PS 26 in Queens. 16. State Senator Michael Gianaris with Long about his own career path and gave them Executive Director Hilfiger Foundation;Karen meet and skate with Olympic champion prevention programs in New York City. 11. Prospect Park Y Executive Director Mel Tse Island City Y Executive Director Ebony tips on how best to pursue their education Sprauer, PS 57 Y After School Academy Site Sasha Cohen at Citi Pond. Sasha answered 8. Prospect Park Executive Director Melvin Tse and Councilmember Vincent Gentile visit PS Conely-Young. and career interests. Representatives from Director; Patsy Madden, Director Community questions and talked about what it takes to and City Councilmember David Greenfield 200 in Brooklyn. the Empire HR department spoke about Affairs, Hilfiger Foundation;Latoya succeed. For many, it was a first time on the pose with students and staff at the Y After 12. Dodge Y Executive Director Elizabeth Toledo the do’s and don’t’s of interviewing, what Jackson, Youth and Family Director, Harlem ice! Here Sasha helps a few get comfortable School Program at PS 205 in Brooklyn. and Councilmember Stephen Levin visit the Y to wear in the office, and the importance Y; Catherine Walsh, Community Affairs and have fun on the unfamiliar ice. Y After 9. Councilmember Al Vann takes part in a free Afterschool site at PS 38, in Brooklyn. of presentation skills. Teens also had Coordinator, Hilfiger Foundation, andGary School kids were also given VIP passes to Citi community self-defense class at the Bedford- opportunities to job-shadow Empire Laermer, Chief Development Officer, YMCA of Pond so they could return with their families. Stuyvesant YMCA. A number of recent attacks professionals at work. Greater New York. on women in Brooklyn have emphasized

6 2012: ISSUE 2 7 YMCA of Greater New York 5 West 63rd Street, 6th Floor New York, NY 10023 212 630 9600 ymcanyc.org

Harlem YMCA Wins American Dreamer Award Presented by Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs for improving immigrants’ lives

n April the Harlem YMCA was honored preparation, computer literacy and job Iwith the prestigious American Dreamer readiness to almost 2,000 people in Award in the “Community Builder” Upper Manhattan. • category from the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA). The Y helps New York City The American Dreamer Awards recognize by helping newcomers individuals or organizations that are making a profound impact on the lives of achieve English literacy, immigrant New Yorkers. The Harlem Y was cultural competence, and recognized for its innovative programs and self-sufficiency through services that provide English classes to Celebrating Immigrant Heritage Week during people of all levels, as well as citizenship job readiness. breakfast at Gracie Mansion, from left: Harlem Y Executive Director Tiffeny Forrest, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Fatima Shama FIND OUT MORE ymcanyc.org/harlem