YMCA OF AUSTIN 2016 COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT Dear Friends, Nature operates at its own pace, subject to certain laws that cannot be circumvented. So, too, does our work at the YMCA of Austin proceed in a deliberate fashion as we strengthen the foundations of our community. The fruit of our efforts may not be visible for years, but we are guided by an innate sense that we are on the right path. Volunteers, staff, donors, members and We build community, a concept as subtle program participants all play vital roles. and hard to describe as the sensation of A thousand small impacts today yield bathing in a warm ray of sunshine. But major transformations in the years to when you feel it, the experience is come. There is no quick fix. It takes life-affirming. time, effort and patience. We evolve to meet diverse needs and We plant the seed of self-confidence in adapt to serve new environments. But our children, then watch them take root like the changing seasons, we are steady and grow into responsible, caring adults, and dependable. You can count on us. shaped by Y Values. We are here today and will be here We inspire healthy behavior and provide tomorrow. Uniting individuals in collective support along the way, with the action to improve ourselves and the world understanding that well-being is not a around us. destination, but a journey that flows like a river. We are here to grow good. For a better us. Julie Kreager James Finck Chair, Metropolitan Board of Directors President & CEO YMCA of Austin YMCA of Austin TABLE OF CONTENTS 6-7 20-21 GROWING GOOD: SAFETY AROUND WATER GROWING GOOD: ACTIVE OLDER ADULTS BETTER THAN GYM CLASS IN A PICKLE Austin teens learn how to ‘Take a Stand’ in the Get ready for what the Hays Communities Y City of Austin/ North Austin Y pool is serving 8-9 22-23 GROWING GOOD: NUTRITION & HEALTHY LIVING GROWING GOOD: SAFE SPACES SAVING THE WORLD, CONFESSIONS OF A CAMP COUNSELOR: ONE CARROT AT A TIME COMING FULL CIRCLE Northwest Family Y staff and volunteers whip Follow a Program Services Staffer’s journey up a dish of nutrition and healthy living 10 -11 24-25 GROWING GOOD: YOUTH DEVELOPMENT GROWING GOOD: OUTDOOR EDUCATION YOUTH SPRINGS ETERNAL BIRDS OF A FEATHER Springs Family Y tends to future generations Teaming up for an expedition at YMCA Camp Cypress 12-13 26-27 GROWING GOOD: OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME GROWING GOOD: PHILANTHROPY TODO UN MUNDO NUEVO PUTTING THE FUN IN FUNDRAISING Learn the language of inclusion with the Revisit Annual Giving Campaign memories from East Communities Y across the branches 14-15 28-29 GROWING GOOD: SPECIAL NEEDS ADAPTIVE PROGRAMS GROWING GOOD: RECOGNITION OH, SNAP! MEET THE 2016 WILL W. MILLER Partner up with the Southwest Family Y to put AWARD WINNER all abilities into motion We recognize an astounding leader in the Austin Y Community 16-17 GRATITUDE GROWING GOOD: VOLUNTEERISM Thanks to our donors and grant partners THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE Y Join us for sound check at the Townlake YMCA 18-19 30-31 GROWING GOOD: ENGAGEMENT AND IMPACT GROWING GOOD: INVESTMENTS FREE HUGS FOR EVERYONE COMMUNITY IMPACT Share a warm embrace with the Bastrop Y FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS We recount the growth of the YMCA of Austin in 2016 GROWING GOOD: SAFETY AROUND WATER BETTER THAN GYM CLASS In an effort to empower teens to pursue leadership opportunities and to provide employment for professional development, the YMCA of Austin launched SwimATX, a new Lifeguard preparation program in 2015. Now more than two years later, the program, in partnership with the City of Austin and Austin ISD, trains and certifies students at Reagan High School and LBJ High School for Y Lifeguard jobs upon completion. The zip codes serviced in this pilot program experience some of the highest incidence of drowning in Texas, and participants are in an age range at increased risk of drowning. In addition to certification and guaranteed employment, this innovative program takes place during school hours at YMCA and City of Austin pools and provides P.E. credit to its participants. SwimATX is a powerful program designed to uplift teen leaders and equip them with valuable communication, customer service and problem-solving skills for continued success in the future. “I learned two major things: how to swim better and how to be confident in myself.” - Cielo L., SwimATX Participant IN 2016, AT THE YMCA OF AUSTIN: 2,231 9,882 85 19 Kids received Safety Kids gained the ability Teens became water Teens graduated from Aquatics and Fitness to swim through the Y’s confident through the SwimATX & went on Education through Youth Swim lessons Y’s SwimATX program to complete lifeguard YMCA Project S.A.F.E. certification course GROWING GOOD: NUTRITION & HEALTHY LIVING 2016 COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT 9 MEXICAN-STYLE QUINOA SALAD SAVING THE By Lisa Stuckey Preparation/Cooking Time: 10 minutes WORLD ONE CARROT Serves: 6 AT A TIME For Salad: For Dressing: 1 cup quinoa, uncooked 1/3 cup olive oil 2 cups water 1/3 cup lime juice The Quick Cook evolved from a discussion at the Northwest Family YMCA among staff 1 can pinto beans with no salt, rinsed 1 tablespoon adobo sauce and volunteers about making good food choices, kitchen and cooking skills, and especially 1 can corn with no salt, rinsed with chopped chipotle pepper the amount of time required to shop and cook healthy, nutritious meals. As typically busy 1/3 red onion, chopped 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped people who sometimes struggle to put healthy meals on the table, the team decided to ½ bunch cilantro, washed and chopped Salt and pepper to taste 1 red bell pepper, diced create a cooking and nutrition education program that would directly address many of *Other vegetables of your choice can be added the barriers to healthy eating. The objective of The Quick Cook is to teach basic nutrition and kitchen skills in order to prepare healthy, nutritious meals quickly and easily. 1. Prepare and cool quinoa. Prepare and add all ingredients for the salad. 2. Whisk together ingredients for the dressing until well blended. “As a nutrition educator and personal trainer, my “As one of five volunteer creators of The Quick 3. Add dressing to the salad and mix until fully coated. Serve immediately. passion is health and fitness. I am constantly Cook, I learned the value of being a member of the 4. Can be stored in the refrigerator until needed. learning everything I can that is food and exercise YMCA. It was volunteerism at its best! I loved that 5. Taste will improve as salad sits for several hours or overnight. related. It means a great deal to me to be able to do our team was supported by YMCA staff, and we what I can to help people become healthier, happier were treated as professionals who could develop a versions of themselves. I have found great value quality product we believed in, and that would bring in being part of the volunteer and staff team that value to the Y and the health of our community. created The Quick Cook, a program that will bring a The Quick Cook, from creation to execution, is wealth of nutrition knowledge to the community. ” what a valued volunteer program should be. It’s an opportunity to give people a chance to be -Jennifer Powell, YMCA staff nutritionist, trainer productive in something of value to others. ” and co-creator of The Quick Cook -Lisa Stuckey, YMCA Board Member and Volunteer co-creator/instructor of The Quick Cook “Volunteering to teach The Quick Cook has been a fun way for me to connect on a more personal level with those wanting to make healthy changes. My passion for health/nutrition runs deep and it’s been great fun to immerse myself in it, and help others to create healthier lifestyles. It’s an awesome program to get people excited about taking control of their health!” -Sam Galpin Godbold, Volunteer instructor, The Quick Cook IN 2016, AT THE YMCA OF AUSTIN 571 18,474 180 170 14 5 People participated in Nutrition Meals were served in Summer Children participated in Childhood People participated in Chronic Organizations became Workplace People (Ron, Lisa, Jennifer, Ruth and Amanda) & Healthy Living Programs & Year-Round Food Programs Obesity Intervention Programs Disease Prevention Programs Wellness and Medical Partners banded together to create The Quick Cook GROWING GOOD: YOUTH DEVELOPMENT 2016 COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT 11 YOUTH SPRINGS ETERNAL The Y nurtures the potential of every child and teen by supporting their unique Youth Development journey through holistic programming. In 2016, the Springs Family Y offered an array of inclusive programs such as: Gymnastics, Tae Kwon Do, Theater Arts, Dance, Special Needs Adaptive Programs, Youth Sports, Youth Swim and more. With more than 1,000 individual Youth Development classes offered, and over 5,500 individuals served throughout the year, our community’s future leaders were able to build healthy habits, discover new interests and develop essential skills. “My daughter’s poise and confidence have grown since she started gymnastics. She has always wanted to learn to do a cartwheel. She isn’t quite there yet, but she has vastly improved. Her P.E. teacher at school recently told us how amazing Jane is at gymnastics. We attribute that to the gymnastics program at the Y.” - Jennifer F., Youth Programs Parent IN 2016, AT THE YMCA OF AUSTIN: 10,351 18,347 6,046 1,132 Kids participated Kids engaged in Youth participated in Youth learned Leadership in Youth Sports Active Play at the Y Enrichment Activities & Civic Engagement GROWING GOOD: OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME 2016 COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT 13 TODO UN MUNDO NUEVO A WHOLE NEW WORLD “Una de las razones que me inspiro para inscribir a mi hija en el Programa Mi Mundo fue la confianza.