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Our Summer Update gives you a look back at all the summer fun and happenings that occurred at YMCAs throughout New York State!

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Published by orickenbacher, 2018-10-16 15:13:25

Summer 2018 Magazine

Our Summer Update gives you a look back at all the summer fun and happenings that occurred at YMCAs throughout New York State!

STRONGER Ys
IMPROVING LIVES

ALLIANCE OF NYS YMCAs QUARTERLY UPDATE

SUMMER 2018

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

FIND OUT WHICH YMCA
KNOCKS IT OUT OF THE PARK

PG. 6

THE FUTURE OF THE ALLIANCE
AND HOW WE PLAN TO

STRENGTHEN Ys

PG. 5

GALLERY OF SUMMER FUN!

LOOK BACK AT THE FUN
HAD AT SUMMER CAMP

PG. 13

www.ymcanys.org SUMMER 2018 1

PA LRETETESRIFDROEMNTHTE to be a critical responsibility of Alliances. With
strong additional support from Y-USA, they will
Anyone remember the song, “See You in add responsibility for board development, stra-
September?” Well, another summer has come tegic planning, relationship building, and facili-
and gone. Kids all across the State of New York tation of mergers and management agreements.
had an opportunity to learn new skills, make new I have no doubt that New York will lead the way
friends, experience a strong sense of community in innovating current processes, transforming
and make lasting friendships at summer camps. our program networks, and providing Ys with the
With the changing of the seasons comes new resources needed for us to serve our members to
exciting opportunity to engage and fully emerse the best of our ability as we provide the greatest
ourselves in the work for YMCAs in New York value. I look forward to sharing updates along
State. the way and the addition of new faces to our
Back in June, we attended, participat- State Alliance.
ed and enjoyed the Alliance’s Strengthening Ys. Finally, fall means back-to-school, which
Better Together Dinner Meeting in Albany com- also brings another year of delivering valuable
plete with “My Big Fat Greek Talk Show” (thanks afterschool and out-of-school time programs in
to my buddy, George Romell) with our special YMCAs and community centers. As the number
guest, National CEO and President, Kevin Wash- one provider of afterschool care in the state,
ington. The event proved to be a successful day your tremendous work allows for thousands of
of collaboration and conversation, leaving our children to succeed and their families to thrive. I
regional networks empowered to continue the am delighted to Co-Chair with my CEO colleagues,
conversations around the shared services, group Shaun Elliott (Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA)
purchasing, technology needs, and community and James Finck (Austin YMCA), a Special Task
partnership strategies. Since the event, the Alli- Force that is looking at Out-of-School Time. We
ance, along with the Regional Networks continue are excited and ready to focus on our ultimate
to make strides toward furthering these collabo- goals to support the cognitive, socio-emotion-
rative efforts that will surely help our Ys in New al, and physical development of youth through
York succeed. high-quality, sustainable and accessible Out-Of-
In addition to the Thriving Y initiatives, School Time services.
this fall our amazing Alliance team of staff and While the summer proved to be a produc-
volunteers will be working hard to set the stage tive one, we must carry that positive momentum
for the restructuring of their role in serving YM- and continue to deliver high-quality programs
CAs in the Empire State. As many of you know, and services to strengthen the communities
Y-USA is adapting its service delivery model to around us. I hope that as we enter the new Fall
give Associations more control over when and season, we can all admire the work that has been
how you receive support. Advocacy will continue accomplished by our cause and be excited about
what we will accomplish in the future. The best
days are yet to come. With gratitude to all for
all.

Anne Brigis, President & CEO, YMCA of Long Island

2 SUMMER 2018 ALLIANCE OF NEW YORK STATE YMCAs

TABLE OF CONTENTS

WHAT’S INSIDE THE SUMMER UPDATE

POLICY 2018
4 WELCOMING CHANGEMAKERS TO THE Y
Highlights of New York State legislators and staff visiting EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
YMCAs throughout the state.
Anne Brigis Jamey Mullen
THRIVING Ys President Secretary
5 MOVING FORWARD, GROWING STRONGER
YMCA of Long Island Norwich Family YMCA
Our next steps in building a stronger, more impactful
network of New York State YMCAs. Sharon Levy Buddy Campbell
Vice President Treasurer
6 COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS YMCA
FOR MORE SUMMER FUN YMCA of
Spotlighting how through community partnership, the Greater New York Buffalo Niagara
Norwich Family YMCA developed Free Fun Camp Days for all.
Mark Williams
Vice President

YMCA of the Twin Tiers

HEALTHY LIVING
7
8 HEALTHY LIVING HEADLINES 2018

9 Story of one Y’s mission to ensure a healthier tomorrow. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
10
11 THE HEALTHY LIVING FUNDING REPORT Brian Bearor Gregg Howells
Glens Falls YMCA YMCA of Rye
Update on the newest Healthy Living funding opportunities.
Vanessa Boulous Kevin Killeen
AUTUMN TRAINING CALENDAR YMCA Retirement Fund Plattsburgh YMCA

A new season means fresh HEPA trainings! Donna Boyle Hank Leo
YMCA of Long Island YMCA of the
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ENHANCEFITNESS Greater Tri-Valley
David Brown
Who, what, and where of the EnhanceFitness Digital Storybook. Capital District YMCA Chuck Maze
Rockland County YMCA
HEALTHY KIDS ODDS & ENDS Paul Callahan
Capital District YMCA Rick Peterson
A little bit of this, and a little bit of that. YMCA of the USA
Mark Eckendorf
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Jamestown Area YMCA George Romell
12 YMCA of
Y-CORPS 2018 Mike Grammatico
GLOW YMCA Greater Rochester
Another year, another tour of youth giving back to surround-
Jerry Huncosky Gareth Sansom
ing communities. See where their journey took them. Frost Valley YMCA YMCA of

YOUTH. DEVELOPMENT Broome County
13
14 BEST SUMMER EVER James Vaughan
15 Frost Valley YMCA
Take a peek at the fun had at Y Summer Camps throughout
the State. www.ymcanys.org SUMMER 2018 3

2018 CONFERENCE ON NATIONAL AFFAIRS

A recap of what happens when hundreds of Youth and
Government’s brightest debate national legislation.

FOR SAFER KIDS AND STRONGER
RELATIONSHIPS

Update on an Alliance initiative to strengthen ties with one
particular state regulatory agency.

POLICY

WELCOMING CHANGEMAKERS
TO THE Y
Summer 2018 was jam-packed with YMCA summer camp visits
and tours of facilities, exposing changemakers to the impactful
programs that are delivered by Ys during the summer and beyond!

PHOTO CREDIT: Senator Pamela Assemblyman Brian
Helming had a fun Kolb visited
day at a Geneva campers at a
Canadaigua
Family YMCA YMCA day
summer camp
camp
PHOTO CREDIT: YMCA OF GREATER R GIONAL YMCA
SENATOR PAMELA HELMING


AN BRIAN KOLB


PHOTO CREDIT: SARATOGA RE

PHOTO CREDIT: ASSEMBLYM


Senate Finance
Committee
Senator Joseph Staffer John
Robach gave out a
round of high fives to OCHESTER DeVito visited a
campers at the YMCA Saratoga Springs
of Greater Rochester YMCA day camp
Camp Northpoint

PHOTO CREDIT: SEN PHOTO CREDIT: ROCKLAND COUN

ATOR JOSEPH ADDABBO


STACEY PHEFFER AMATO TY YMCA


Senator Joseph Assembly- Assemblywoman Ellen
Addabbo read a story woman Stacey Jaffee spent time at the
during his visit to the Pheffer-Amato PHOTO CREDIT: ASSEMBLYWOMAN Rockland County YMCA,
toured the Rockaway sharing a book with a
Ridgewood YMCA’s YMCA at Arverne by the
summer program Sea, learning of the critical day camper
services delivered by the Y

4 SUMMER 2018 ALLIANCE OF NEW YORK STATE YMCAs

THRIVING Ys

MOVING FORWARD
GROWING STRONGER

BY OLIVIA RICKENBACHER

As your State Alliance, it has always been model, inherently effecting our responsibilities as
our duty and responsibility to support and ad- a State Alliance. The purpose of the changes is to
vocate on behalf of our member Ys. So naturally, give Associations more control over when and how
when it came time to develop our Thriving Ys stra- they receive support. In addition to the current ad-
tegic initiative, we were quickly able set our sights vocacy, member services, and grant management
on attainable, measurable goals to better serve the that we do, we will also provide services to associ-
Alliance’s overarching mission: to strengthen New ations in the capacity of: board development, stra-
York State YMCAs. tegic planning, relationship building, training/net-
To further our Thriving Ys strategy, we working, and facilitating management agreements
brought together Y Leaders and Key Volunteers and shared services.
from across the state for Strengthening Ys. Bet- Additionally, we will streamline resourc-
ter Together (SYBT) Collaboration for a Cause. The es and best practice tools for implementation of:
event was held in early June and to our delight, was board development, collaboration, finance, finan-
a great success. The conversations among Region- cial development, human resources, marketing,
al Networks were honest and forthcoming, open- membership and programs, and strategic planning
ing dialogues surrounding the strengths and barri- via shared knowledge platforms.
ers of Ys within each region; identifying potential With these changes at the forefront of our
strategies that when implemented, would ensure minds, our current efforts through Thriving Ys will
successful delivery of the programs and services continue as they seamlessly align with the incom-
your communities need and deserve. ing responsibilities outlined in the restructuring. At
the same time, we look forward to broadening our
Since June, we, along with the Regional Net- role in serving your YMCA and we will continue to
works, have continued these conversations and monitor the needs and challenges that all Ys face
have made strides toward three specific tactics: in order to provide you with the highest quality of
• Identify a new Customer Relationship Manage- services possible.
We are well-aware of the strong capabili-
ment (CRM) system and leverage a multi-YM- ties of YMCAs in New York State and are confident
CA agreement to negotiate toward a lower and in the Alliance’s path to develop a service-delivery
more beneficial group rate for interested YM- model for the entire Y movement.
CAs;
• Negotiate current SilverSneakers contracts be-
tween YMCAs to attain better terms for reim-
bursement through the program;
• Revive Regional Program Networks and devel-
op a streamlined platform for communications
amongst program staff and peers, to provide
additional support and collaboration within re-
gional networks and statewide.
Amidst these efforts, YMCA of the USA an-
nounced a restructuring of their service delivery

www.ymcanys.org SUMMER 2018 5

THRIVING Ys

CFOORMMMOUNRIETYSPUAMRTMNEERRSFHUIPNS

The Norwich Family YMCA able to reach more area kids with summer
camp fun through partnership with locally owned business.

BY OLIVIA RICKENBACHER

Collaboration through community partner- April the Giraffe and her one-year-old baby, Tajiri.

ships has been a significant talking point amongst Tajiri’s birth was reported on by national TV out-

our Thriving Ys initiative discussions, and we are al- lets and was lived streamed by millions of viewers.

ways thrilled to find examples of The Adventure Park trip was an

these actions being implemented exciting and unique educational

by Ys. experience for the lucky kids who

Over the summer, the Nor- attended.

wich Family YMCA and Preferred Normally, trips like

Mutual Insurance Company, a lo- these would result in additional

cally owned business, collaborat- costs to families beyond the daily

ed to provide extra summer fun tuition. However, with Preferred

for Norwich area kids and their Mutual’s assistance with both

families. The Free Fun Camp Days ticket and transportation costs,

program was a $5,000 sponsor- there were no additional costs

ship, funded by Preferred Mutual incurred by the campers’ families

and promoted free camp days at for these extra fun experiences.

YMCA Camp Thompson for stu- Collaborations like this are

dents on specific Fridays in July perfect examples of ways YMCAs

and August. can expand their reach and impact

Students who were registered the summers of more kids in their

for and attended day camp on PHOTO CREDIT: NORWICH FAMILY YMCA communities. By working with lo-
these days incurred no daily tui- cal partners, summer camp fun

tion charge – whether a current Y Camper or not. can be had by more kids and families alike.

The Free Fun Camp Days program was created to

support families who already utilize the YMCA Day

Camp for summer childcare, and support families

as a destination during summer vacation for area

kids.

Through the partnership, Preferred Mutu-

al also provided financial assistance for two trips

for the registered campers. The first of which was

in mid-July and treated students to a Bingham-

ton Rumble Ponies, minor league baseball game,

against the Portland Sea Dogs. The game was a

“Super Splash Day” sponsored by Senator Freder-

ick Akshar and YES Safe Choices.

The second trip, which was held in August, brought

the students to Animal Adventure Park in Harpus-

ville, NY. Campers were able to visit the beloved PHOTO CREDIT: NORWICH FAMILY YMCA

6 SUMMER 2018 ALLIANCE OF NEW YORK STATE YMCAs

HEALTHY LIVING HEADLINES

YMCA ON A MISSION

TO FEED KIDS IN NEED

Originally published on August 6, 2018 - by Jamie Swinnerton - The Tompkins Weekly

This summer, the YMCA of Ithaca & Tomp- reevaluated. The food given to kids that participate
kins County is feeding hundreds of kids. With the
help of [New York State] grant funding, the YMCA in day programs, summer programs, and even child-
had been able to include meals in some of their
summer programs on a daily basis. care was to be the best that the
With a state grant awarded to the or-
ganization in April, the YMCA PHOTO CREDITS: ITH YMCA could find and that met
was able to purchase rigorous nutritional stan-
some curriculum fo- dards.
cused on physical ACA & TOMPKINS COUNTY YMCA
activity for all Because of changes to
age groups, pro-
moting health the Year-Round Food
and wellness,
that can be Grant focus to help
applied to sev-
eral of the pro- feed kids in need, the
grams that are
already in place. YMCA has been able
For several years
the YMCA has re- to help more kids in its
ceived grant money
from Walmart. That grant summer programs. This
transitioned into a Walmart
[Foundation] and YMCA of the summer the YMCA had
USA Year-Round Food Grant
with more regulation around the potential to feed 90
what the money could be used
for. kids one meal a day. That’s
When YMCA of the USA
introduced the Healthy Eat- 450 meals a week for 10 weeks.
ing and Physical Activity Initia-
tive (HEPA) in 2016, the YMCA of This doesn’t include the healthy
Ithaca and Tompkins County jumped
in head first. “We grabbed onto it,” said snacks that the YMCA also pro-
Teresa Morehouse, Associate Executive Di-
rector of the YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins Coun- vides the kids in their pro-
ties. “It was something that we said, ‘We are going
to do this.’ grams. Starting soon, the
Moving forward, everything from a nutrition
and food distribution standpoint at the YMCA was YMCA will be hosting its

new Nurture by Nature

camp with room for 30

more children. That’s

150 meals a week for

two weeks. The par-

ticipants of Nurture

by Nature are chosen

by their schools and

are often picked be-

cause they might other-

wise not be able to go to

summer camp, for reasons

including financial burden or

unavailability of transportation.

The YMCA provides transportation to all

for each day of camp. “Serving the kids is serving

the families, in the long run,” explained Frank Town-

er, Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA of Ithaca

and Tompkins Counties. CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

www.ymcanys.org SUMMER 2018 7

HEALTHY LIVING

THE HEALTHY LIVING
FUNDING REPORT

HERE TO UPDATE YOU ON WHAT’S AHEAD IN THE WORLD OF HEALTHY LIVING

ENHANCEFITNESS PROGRAM DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM
& BLOOD PRESSURE
SELF-MONITORING PROGRAM
The New York State YMCA Foundation is pleased to
continue our partnership with the New York State De-
partment of Health Arthritis Program with a new fund- The New York State YMCA Foundation recently re-
ing opportunity from the CDC (“State Public Health ceived a $100,000 grant from the New York State
Approaches to Addressing Arthritis”) to support En- Department of Health and the CDC to support the
hanceFitness delivery across the state. YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program (Y-DPP) and the
Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program (BPSMP).
The EnhanceFitness in Your Community Grant is
exclusively for YMCA Associations that have pre- The grant, Improving the Health of Americans
viously delivered or are currently delivering Through Prevention and Management of Diabe-
the EnhanceFitness program. Up to nine tes, Heart Disease, and Stroke, will require the
(9) YMCA Associations will be selected to Alliance to complete the following tasks by June
receive the grant for 2018-2019. Awards 30, 2019:
will range between $2,000-$4,000. • Complete an environmental scan of Y-DPP in
New York State;
EnhanceFitness is an award-win- • Coordinate and implement a plan to
ning evidence-based physical expand coverage for DPP for state
activity program developed employees;
for older adults with chron- • Establish BPSMP in seven (7)
ic conditions, particularly YMCAs across New York and
those with arthritis. The provide seed money to offset
program meets three program start-up costs;
times per week for 16 • Identify YMCA staff and/
weeks and includes or volunteers to serve as
dynamic exercises that Healthy Heart Ambassa-
improve one’s strength, dors (HHAs) Instructors
balance, emotional and Programs Managers
wellbeing, and stamina. for BPSMP; and
• Coordinate with the New
The RFA was released York State Training Partner
on August 27th and YMCA (YMCA of Greater
was due on September Rochester) to deliver five
10th. Contracts with
individual YMCA Asso- (5) in-person HHA trainings
ciations will begin on
October 1st. for BPSMP across the state.

8 SUMMER 2018 ALLIANCE OF NEW YORK STATE YMCAs

HEALTHY LIVING

AUTUMN
TRAINING CALENDAR



NETWORK FOR YOUTH SUCCESS

HEPA NUTRITION TRAININGS

OCTOBER 15 OCTOBER 16 OCTOBER 22

6 PM - 9 PM 10 AM - 1 PM 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
HORNELL AREA YMCA OF THE CANADAIGUA FAMILY YMCA
FAMILY YMCA GREATER TRI-VALLEY
18 CENTER ST 301 WEST BLOOMFIELD ST 32 NORTH MAIN ST
HORNELL, NY 14841 ROME, NY 13440 CANADAIGUA, NY 14424

OCTOBER 23 OCTOBER 27 NOVEMBER 1

10:30 AM - 1:30 PM 11 AM - 2 PM 10:30 AM - 1 PM
YMCA BUFFALO NIAGARA PLATTSBURGH YMCA CAPITAL DISTRICT YMCA -
301 CAYUGA RD, SUITE 100 EAST GREENBUSH BRANCH
17 OAK ST
BUFFALO, NY 14225 PLATTSBURGH, NY 12061 20 COMMUNITY WAY
EAST GREENBUSH, NY 12061

NOVEMBER 5 NOVEMBER 6 NOVEMBER 27

10:30 AM - 1:30 PM 10 AM - 1 PM 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
YONKERS YMCA YMCA OF LONG ISLAND - YMCA OF GREATER SYRACUSE -

17 RIVERDALE AVE HUNTINGTON YMCA EAST AREA YMCA
YONKERS, NY 10701 60 MAIN ST 200 TOWNE DR
FAYETTEVILLE, NY 13066
HUNTINGTON, NY 11743

SPARK EARLY CHILDHOOD
CURRICULUM TRAINING

OCTOBER 19 CATCH

9:30 AM - 3:30 PM KIDS CLUB IMPLEMENTATION TRAINING
ONEONTA FAMILY YMCA
OCTOBER 25 OCTOBER 29
20-26 FORD AVENUE
ONEONTA, NY 13820 8 AM - 3 PM 8 AM - 2:30 PM
ROCKLAND COUNTY YMCA SKANEATELES YMCA

35 SOUTH BROADWAY 97 STATE ST
NYACK, NY 10960 SKANEATELES, NY 13512

www.ymcanys.org SUMMER 2018 9

HEALTHY LIVING

LIGHTS, CAMERA,

EN H ANCEFITNESSEnhanceFitness, advocacy purposes, and demon-
strating the Y’s evolving role as a community
health partner.
In three years, the EnhanceFitness Grant
funded 16 YMCA Associations to deliver the pro-
gram in 45 YMCA branches and community loca-
BY PAIGE HUGHES tions; 127 YMCA Health and Wellness staff were

On June 17th, the Alliance set out on a three- certified as EnhanceFitness Instructors and 8
day journey across New York State to shoot footage were certified as EnhanceFitness Master Trainers
of YMCAs for our EnhanceFitness Digital Storybook with the ability to train instructors.
with Cantaloupe TV. Cantaloupe, an Indianapo- In total, this grant has affected more
lis-based production than 1,000 New Yorkers’ lives by improving their
company, focuses on
establishing emotional strength, balance, emo-
connections through tional wellbeing, and
activity levels.

authentic story tell- Check out the
ing, and they have pre- EnhanceFitness
viously worked with Digital Storybook
YMCA of the USA to by visiting:
produce similar video

content. http://storybook.link/
The purpose EnhanceFitnessNewYork
of the EnhanceFitness

Digital Storybook is to FEATURED YMCAS:

portray the impact of the EnhanceFitness program in Capital District YMCA
local communities across the state, as a result of a YMCA of Long Island
three-year grant from the New York State Department YMCA of Greater Rochester
of Health Arthritis Program. The Storybook features Rockland County YMCA
seven YMCA Associations across New York State and
the effects of the program on their members. Rye YMCA
The Digital Storybook can be used in a num- YMCA of Greater Syracuse
ber of capacities, including marketing/recruitment for
Yonkers YMCA

10 SUMMER 2018 ALLIANCE OF NEW YORK STATE YMCAs

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 HEALTHY KIDS ODDS & ENDS

“That’s how we see it. A lot of times we’ve found floor into the new Borg Warner Nutrition Center,
that it’s not the kids fault they’re getting a bad meal. named for the $15,000 grant from Borg Warner be-
Parent’s are in a rush or they don’t have the money. ing used to renovate the space to add working kitch-
They don’t give the kids the right food. It’s easier to en spaces and a presentation space.
go to McDonald’s.”
Towner wants to make an impact in this area through
the new Nutrition Center. Soon, the YMCA plans on
converting on of their unused rooms on the second

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN MAKING A SPLASH WITH
SAFETY AROUND WATER
SAMPPOLEOTPIHEIE
BY SHEA KELLY

SERVES: 2 Safety Around Water (SAW) is a crucial program deliv-
HANDS ON TIME: 5 MIN
TOTAL COOK TIME: 5 MIN INGREDIENTS: ered by the Y. With drowning being the second-lead-
KITCHEN GEAR: 3⁄4 cup plain low fat
Measuring cup or whole milk yogurt ing cause of death for children between the ages of
Measuring spoons 1⁄2 cup low-fat
Cutting board or whole milk 5 and 14, and in 88% of drownings having occured
Sharp knife* 2 Tbsp old fashion oats
Blender* when an adult was present - SAW is critical to giving
1⁄2 apple, cored and sliced
DIRECTIONS: 1 overripe banana, sliced more individuals a chance to learn how to stay safe
1. Put all of the (frozen if possible)
ingredients in the 1⁄4 tsp ground cinnamon around water, to prevent these types of accidents.
blender in list order 1⁄4 tsp vanilla extract
2. Put the top on 2 ice cubes The Rockland County YMCA was able to of-
tightly. Turn the fer free SAW to 50 kids this summer in partner-
blender to a ship with the Rockland Orange Chapter of
medium setting Jack & Jill of America, Inc., a
and blend until
the ice is chopped membership organization
and the mixture is
smooth, about one of mothers with chil-
minute.
3. Serve right away, : ROCKLAND COUNTY YMCA dren ages 2-19 dedi-
or store in a ther-
mos or covered in cated to nurturing fu-
the refigerator, up
to 4 hours. ture African American

leaders by strength-

ening children through

leadership develop-

PHOTO CREDIT ment, volunteer service,

philanthropic giving and

civic duty. The Y supplied the swim

*ADULT lessons and goggles and Jack and Jill did outreach
SUPERVISION
NEEDED and provided the children with swim caps and towels.
Recipe from
chopchopmag.org At the Canandaigua Family YMCA, it was

especially important to offer a SAW program due to

their proximity to Canandaigua Lake. They held their

program at Kershaw Park which is located right on

the lake. They welcomed all participants ages 3-12

to join and this year 15 children participated. Fun

and good times were had by all!

www.ymcanys.org 11SUMMER 2018

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Y-CORPS 2018
BLAZING A TRAIL OF GRATITUDE PHOTO CREDIT: DREW CALDWELL
AND GIVE BACK
stops designed to foster a consciousness during their
journey.
BY DREW CALDWELL The route began in Cortland, NY on the 15th

The New York State YMCA Y-Corps concluded where the students helped to paint and restore the Fire
on July 20th, 2018 after an incredible week. This Department’s center of Operations, including cleaning
year’s program was done in partnership with the and trash pick-up. From there, the team stayed over in
Pennsylvania Youth and Government program, which Scranton, PA before heading to Camden, NJ. In Camden
gave 23 teenagers the opportunity to explore the they beautified a local park that is home to a YMCA play
Eastern United States while also helping many YMCAs and feeding program. Next, the team headed South to
and community organizations along the way. Annapolis where they assisted the Anne Arundel Food
Y-Corps is a YMCA service-learning program Bank in organizing donations. Then the students
that has been a long tradition in multiple had the honor and privilege of cleaning and
states and made its debut in New York in PHOTO CREDIT: DREW weeding monuments on the National Mall
2017. The program is a semester-long in DC, including the Lincoln and Kore-
CALD

experience where students are giv- WELL an War Memorials. Thursday’s project

en a crash course in servant leader- was working with the Carrie Murray
ship, 50 hours of community service Nature Center in Baltimore to improve
and fundraising to reach their goal their grounds and set up awesome
of $500 for the Mark Rutkowski outdoor educational experiences for
Youth and Government Scholarship children. Friday’s final project was
Fund. These efforts culminate in a with the York YMCA in Pennsylvania,
trip around the state or in this year’s beautifying the downtown area and
case – around the region, tackling sev- learning about all the local Y has done
eral service projects as well as learning a to improve the community through their
great deal about the communities and innovative housing program.
areas they serve. The team also had the privilege of sleep-
Direct service is combined with service learn- ing in local YMCAs and being reminded of how many
ing through touring and experiencing many local at- luxuries from their daily life they take for granted. The
tractions of various size and scope. Philadelphia’s YMCAs of Greater Scranton, Wilmington, Alexandria,
Magic Garden, The Liberty Bell, The US Naval Acade- Catonsville, and York were all excellent hosts that the
my, Turkey Point Lighthouse, Arlington National Cem- team is deeply grateful to.
etery, The Lincoln Memorial, Fort McHenry, and the While this year was an amazing trip and those
American Visionary Arts Museum were some of the intrepid enough to make the effort had an incredible
places the team visited in between projects. Woven experience, it is our hope that the program will continue
into all of the service work, the team also bonded to thrive and help encourage servant leaders throughout
over long rides, nightly roundtables, and many other the state and region.

12 SUMMER 2018 ALLIANCE OF NEW YORK STATE YMCAs

SUMMERBEST YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

EVER Y CAMPERS HAD NO SHORTAGE YMCA OF GREATER ROCHESTER - CAMP NORTHPOINT SARATOGA REGIONAL YMCA - CAMP TOGA YMCA OF LONG ISLAND - HUNTINGTON BRANCH
OF FUN THIS SUMMER! TAKE A
LOOK AT THE GOOD TIMES HAD
BY KIDS ACROSS THE STATE!

CAPITAL DISTRICT YMCA - ADVENTURE CAMP MIDDLETOWN YMCA - CAMP DISCOVERY

CAPITAL DISTRICT YMCA - TROY YMCA CAPITAL DISTRICT YMCA - ADVENTURE CAMP

YMCA OF GREATER NEW YORK - HARLEM YMCA

YMCA BUFFALO NIAGARA - KEN-TON FAMILY YMCA RYE YMCA - KINDER CAMP

www.ymcanys.org 13SUMMER 2018

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

WHAT GOES DOWN,

UP ON THE MOUNTIAN

2018 CONFERENCE ON NATIONAL AFFAIRS

BY DREW CALDWELL

The 2018 New York Conference on National ing Statesman. Khadija Saad of Long Island was

Affairs team consisted of 25 students selected as chosen as as a Fourth Alternate Presiding Officers,

those most outstanding among their peers based meaning that out of hundreds of her peers she was

on their performance and character at the among the top 10 leaders at the confer-

State Youth Legislature in March. PHOTO ence. The Conference on National
They attended a weeklong
CREDIT: DREW CALDWELL
program at the YMCA Blue Ridge Affairs is student-led, as was

Assembly in North Carolina with the New York Delegation.

700 other young people who Evan Meinke of Long Island

were chosen to represent served as the Delegation

their state. They traveled to Leader, advising and men-

and from North Carolina on toring the team. Ben Her-

buses with the delegations man from Homer served as

from Maryland, Dela- the New York representa-

ware, and Connecticut. tive to the Conference Life

Each student wrote a Committee, which is the advi-

proposal on an issue sory council for the conference.

of national importance, Evin Mattupurath of Albany acted

which they then pre- as a Committee Chair, and Nicholas

sented to a committee Imam was a Committee Clerk, both help-

of their peers. The pro- ing to organize and administer the debate

posals are ranked by their peers, and then those process. Dahlia Ramos of Long Island served as

ranked highest move on to larger groups for further the delegation Roundtable Chair, leading the end of

consideration. night reflection. Donavan Swanson of Albany and

The New York team had a successful year, Janine Giordano of Homer were the volunteer adult

with Dua Kaurejo of Albany being selected to pres- chaperones for the delegation, with Drew Caldwell

ent in Plenary Session, in which the entire con- from the Alliance of New York YMCAs as Trip Direc-

ference debates the top 13 proposals overall as tor.

chosen by the delegates. Dua’s proposal passed, Each of these young leaders represented

with delegates voting in her favor overwhelmingly. New York and the YMCA with great character and

Kiara Mantz of Bolton Landing and Nicholas Imam passion. We are proud of each of them for their

of New York City were each selected as Outstand- achievements. SEE LIST OF NY DELEGATES ON PAGE 15

14 SUMMER 2018 ALLIANCE OF NEW YORK STATE YMCAs

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

2018 CONFERENCE ON NATIONAL AFFAIRS

NEW YORK DELEGATES

REDIT: DREW CALDWELL WESTERN NY Thomas Fuller of North Creek
Taylor Cicoria of Henrietta Molly Showers of Warrensburg
Hannah Tette of Webster Evin Mattupurath of Glenmont
William Hourihan of DOWNSTATE NY
Rochester Anastasia Acerno of
CENTRAL NY Middletown
Mackenzie Randolph of Liora Reiken of White Plains
Baldwinsville Dominique Eric Varier
Rachel Blake of Baldwinsville of Valley Cottage
Benjamin Herman of Truxton Dua Kaurejo of Latham
NORTHEAST NY NEW YORK, NY
Hannah Warrender of Averill Park Aimee Hill of Fresh Meadows
Kiara Mantz of Bolton Landing Nicholas Imam of New York
Chase Thalheimer of Cohoes LONG ISLAND NY
Jayden Mignot of Dahlia Ramos of Mastic Beach
Glens Falls Maille Bowerman of Mastic Beach
Evan Meinke of Shirley
PHOTO C Patrick Barnett of Shirley
Katherine Lindley of Shirley
Khadija Saad of Shirley

RFAOENRLDASTSATIOFRENORSNKHGIIDEPSRS: PHOT

THE Y AND THE OFFICE OF O CREDIT: DREW CALDWELL
CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES BY DREW CALDWELL

As the largest provider of child care programs in New York
State, the YMCA interacts with the New York State Office of Chil-
dren and Family Services (OCFS) for a multitude of reasons. Histor-
ically, Ys have had some challenging experiences with OCFS, whether it
be in the form of licensing, regulation enforcement, or communications.
Through our constant efforts to improve our relationships with reg-
ulating agencies, we seek to strengthen the quality of the relationships between
OCFS and YMCAs providing childcare. Furthermore, we believe the YMCA should have some influence
in affecting positive, impactful change going forward. In order to accomplish this we are working to
continue a dialogue with OCFS that clarifies our policies and procedures for them, and encourages
interaction between State licensing agencies and YMCA School Age Child Care staff.
Ultimately, we hope these efforts culminate in a statewide summit and training that creates
enduring positive, productive relationships with those who enforce policy, inspect, and regulate our
child care programs.

www.ymcanys.org 15SUMMER 2018

MEET THE TEAM!

THE ALLIANCE OF NEW YORK STATE YMCAS

MEET OLIVIA! MEET SHEA!
Communications Project Associate
and Policy Coordinator [email protected]
[email protected]

MEET DREW! MEET PAIGE!
Director of
Youth Development Director of Healthy Living
[email protected] [email protected]

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

In these extraordinary and exciting times, I cannot help but think about where
the Alliance began and how far it has come. It started 17 years ago because of
forward-thinking by several Y CEOs, that blazed a path to create a statewide
organization focused on public policy.
Our commitment to excellence in advocacy and member services has built a
flourishing Alliance that benefits Ys through successes in public policy, grant
funding, statewide programming and regional collaboration. These achievements
are an absolute result of strong YMCA CEOs, astute Board leadership and the
Alliance’s structure overall.
As we look to the next chapter in the Alliance’s history by delivering services directly to
Ys, our commitment to advocacy and member service remains an equal priority. We will instill the
Alliance’s principles and philosophy into our new service delivery system by relying on all of you
to provide valuable insight and direction. Together, we will establish a service delivery model that
will address individual Ys’ unique needs and those of all Ys in New York State. Thank you for your
focus, support and commitment to our collective impact and your devotion to the YMCA’s future.

Take Care,

Kyle Stewart, Executive Director
Alliance of NYS YMCAs

ALLIANCE OF NEW YORK STATE YMCAS, INC.
465 NEW KARNER RD, 1ST FLOOR
ALBANY, NY 12205


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