COMMUNITY NEWS 2012: ISSUE 2 IN THIS ISSUE CONEY ISLAND NO ONE IS EVER TURNED AWAY 2 STRATEGIES FOR A STRONGER NEW YORK 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) Brooklyn 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 New York City?” 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.