GROWING STRONGER TOGETHER OCEAN COMMUNITY YMCA 2013 Annual Report CVO & CEO Report This is your Y and we are growing stronger together. The Ocean Community YMCA is a cause-driven and mission-focused organization committed to nurturing the potential of every child, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility. Our cause is to strengthen our communities by working side by side with our neighbors to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Our mission is to put core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Together we are a powerful association of men, women and children of all ages and from all walks of life who share a passion to strengthen the foundations of community. In 2013, this shared commitment expanded even deeper into our region. Membership grew at our branches and our reach extended into neighborhoods through collaborations with schools and other organizations to address some of our most pressing social challenges. The impact of our deeper reach is visible when our young adults make smarter life choices, our seniors maintain their strength and independence longer and when our neighbors give back by volunteering or mentoring. This is your Y. We provide a safe and nurturing atmosphere for you and your loved ones to learn, grow and achieve their goals. We are here to support your health and wellness objectives as well as provide opportunities for arts enrichment. Our summer camps provide summer fun and skill building activities as well as support youth leadership and character development. This Y is also your neighbor’s Y. We will never turn anyone away from participating in our programs due to their inability to pay. This promise is deeply aligned with our mission and made possible through the generosity and caring spirit of our donors. Together we are delivering lasting personal and social change. William A. Nardone Maureen N. Fitzgerald Chief Volunteer Officer President/CEO Serve More People Our Vision To serve more people through expanded membership and program opportunities for all. The Ocean Community YMCA will be Philanthropic Support recognized as the leading community To foster an engaging culture which inspires philanthropic support to advance emerging needs organization in our area by directly and long-term financial strength. engaging children, adults and families Financial Management from all segments of our communities in Through responsible stewardship and management, the Ocean Community YMCA will enhance its achieving healthier lifestyles. As a result, financial position to fulfill its mission. we will inspire philanthropic support, State of the Art Facilities engage more volunteers, develop staff, Enhance and plan for state of the art facilities that meet the needs and expectations of our strengthen collaborations, and enhance communities. facilities. We will be fiscally responsible, Inspire Commitment assuring the fulfillment of our mission. To provide staff and volunteers with training, support and recognition in a way that inspires performance and commitment to our YMCA mission. “Individually, we are one drop. Together we are an ocean.” ~ Ryunosuke Satoro FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT Nurturing the potential of every child and teen. Children are our future and a community’s greatest OUR DAY CAMPS resource. We are working at our branches as well All children deserve the opportunity to discover as in neighborhoods to address critical issues who they are and what they can achieve. Our two impacting their ability to reach their potential day camps provide the experiences for children to such as literacy, childhood obesity prevention do just that. Campers explore the great outdoors and water safety. The Healthy Living and Youth through activities that range from archery to Development programs at the Mystic branch are sailing to zip-lining to arts and crafts. A strong in the communities of Groton, Norwich and New focus on responsibility, independence and caring London through collaborations with area non- for others is woven in to all elements of their profits and schools. Y Reads Literacy program is camp experience. Our doors are open to all and a collaboration with Norwich Public Schools to we are proud of our strong record of providing address low literacy rates in elementary schools. In camperships to all families who qualify. its second year, the program has had remarkable success increasing the aptitude of every child who Mystic Day Camp has participated. Likewise, the Y has partnered • 275 children attended Mystic Summer Day with New London Public Schools to provide the Camp in 2013 with 28% receiving YCares wellness and physical activity component of after- Financial Assistance. school enrichment programs and is a key partner with four other area non-profits in launching the Camp Watchaug Student Wellness and Activity Team (SWAT). • 637 children attended Camp Watchaug in 2013 with 27% receiving YCares Financial Assistance. FOR HEALTHY LIVING Improving the nation’s health and well-being. Arcadia Branch We introduced The Canteen, a dedicated space for youth and teens to socialize with friends, enjoy a In 2013, we collaborated with the Richmond Senior safe haven afterschool and on weekends. We also Center to provide wellness classes to local seniors added over 40 new Wellness classes and programs and implemented our Neighborhood Pool summer focusing on all 3 of our areas of impact and all age swim lessons in Chariho with 27% of participants groups including knitting, drama, SNAG (Starting receiving financial assistance. New at Golf), water polo, ballet, Piyo strength and We hosted events such as Healthy Kids Day, Family healthy eating & nutrition classes. Nights, Jack-O-Lantern Jamboree and Celebrate with The Westerly-Pawcatuck branch collaborated with Santa to enable families to engage in activities together several community based organizations and schools at little or no cost. Our Friday night Teen Nights provide including Westerly School’s Special Needs Program, supervised activities led by quality role models. the Special Olympics, Olean Center, Westerly Parent Additionally, the Arcadia branch is the host location Academy, Westerly Hospital, Neuro Restorative and for Boy Scout and Girl Scout meetings, community RI Silent Camp. collaborations with the R.I. Blood Center, Chariho Youth Soccer Association, Chariho Rotary Club, Mystic Branch Weight Watchers and flu clinics. In 2013, we taught more than 600 individuals to swim in our progressive swim programs, held Our Schools Out after school care program several community events such as Healthy Kids Day, served 73 young students in Charlestown, Hope Easter Egg Hunt, Senior Health & Wellness Day, Valley and Richmond Elementary Schools in 2013. Halloween Parade, the Tarzan Brown Race, Mystic Children in Schools Out build knowledge through River Triathlon, Rowing Challenge, and Turkey meaningful play, active exploration and thoughtfully planned activities. The program provides children Trot Road Race. Built collaborations with Norwich, in Kindergarten through 6th grade with a safe Groton and New London Public Schools, Child & and supervised environment for play and learning. Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut, Ledge Parents know their children are safe and are Light Health District, UCONN Health experiencing a deeply enriched day care experience. Center and ACHIEVE New London. We also added new classes Westerly-Pawcatuck Branch and programs focusing In 2013, we taught over 2,200 individuals to swim on all 3 areas of impact in our progressive swim programs, introduced new and all age groups series for youth and teens such as; Youth Wellness including Cross Center Training, Kids Yoga, Kids Spinning, Ping Conditioning, Fitness Pong League, Nerf Sports, Kid F.I.T. and Couch Medley, beginner to 5K. We hosted Healthy Kids Day, Breakfast spin, cheerleading, a with Santa, the Schonning Road Race, Red Cross high school volleyball Blood Drives, OCY Triathlon, Family Nights and a league, and basketball Halloween Spooktacular. skills clinics. FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Giving back and providing support to our neighbors. At the Y, no child, family or adult is ever turned away due to their inability to pay. Together we inspire a spirit of service personified by a volunteer corps over 190 strong. Our Reach Out To Youth campaign continues to grow providing financial assistance to meet the growing demand. In 2013, 12% of our members and program participants received some level of financial assistance. Giving back is a powerful force and has come to be synonymous with the Ocean Community YMCA. Star Awards The second annual Leadership Recognition Breakfast on August 28th at the Ocean House in Watch Hill honored this year’s Star Award honorees. The event paid tribute to outstanding community leaders who personify the Y’s key values; the Crandall Family for Healthy Living, Robert E. Liguori for Youth Development and Charles and Deborah Royce for Social Responsibility. Volunteer Spotlight • Mel Jolly, Y Volunteer If you’ve been to the Westerly branch, there’s a good chance you’ve met Mel Jolly. Now retired and a resident of Weekapaug, Mel seeks out ways to “give back” to the community and his energy to do so has no limit. Mel grew up in Indiana, had a distinguished 20 year career in the Air Force and then moved to Detroit where he taught Air Force Junior ROTC within Detroit Public Schools. Mel now serves on the branch’s board of managers and on the program and membership committee where he is a strong advocate of extending scholarship and campership opportunities to at risk young adults and families. He puts his philosophy into practice as a strong fundraiser for Reach Out To Youth and was a donor to the recent campaign to renovate the Westerly branch. While his guidance in governance roles has been significant, his greatest influence is in the one-on-one relationships he has built as the coach of two youth basketball leagues.