Y Life Birmingham: January-February 2013

YLife Birmingham

January-March 2013 Volume 8, Issue 1

A HEALTHY

COMMUNITY STARTS

HERE FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILTY

LifeNotes A healthy community starts here.

At the YMCA of Greater Birmingham, building a healthy community is our cause and you can help! Every day, we create experiences that promote youth development, healthy living for people of all ages, and social responsibility throughout the communities we serve. We are an organization of people united in building a better community—a healthy community—and helping individuals and families grow stronger in spirit, mind and body.

Phyllis Hall, Board Chairman, YMCA of Greater Birmingham and Norman Joyner, Interim President of CEO, YMCA of Greater Birmingham.

Whether it is youth sports, membership, water safety, healthy snacks, safe places, teen leadership, outdoor adventure, or physical activity, the mission of the YMCA concludes with our vow to provide these life-changing programs … for all.

WILL YOU JOIN US? The YMCA’s charitable mission dates before World War I and the movement’s United War Work Campaign that supported soldiers. YMCA fundraising, long considered one of the first fundraising organizations in this country, focused on Christian values and stewardship; it provided the foundation for modern fundraising, with a combination of mission and vision.

With a mission that has us putting “Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all,” and a volunteer-developed vision that says the YMCA “will lead our community to become the healthiest in America,” it was an easy transition to reimagine our annual fund-raising effort as “The Campaign for a Healthy Community.”

What we know, and what you will read in this issue, is that a “healthy community for all” takes as many forms as there are YMCAs in the greater Birmingham area. From the power of team-building in youth sports at YMCA Alabaster to the security of a safe place for kids at YMCA Trussville, the focus of the campaign at each YMCA reflects the needs of the community and of the branch volunteer leadership.

You will hear stories from Dion, Maddie, Mrs. Holmes, Andy, Heather, Cecile, Jerenita; there are 14 stories of how YMCAs right here open our doors with service for youth development, for healthy living, for social responsibility … FOR ALL. After you read them, join us by making a pledge of support to “The Campaign for a Healthy Community.” Your gift will help us aim towards our vision and fulfill our mission, for all.

Join Me at the Y

4

2012 Annual Report

Circuit

6 21

My Mission

27

YLife Birmingham

January-March 2013 Volume 8 Issue 1

YMCA of Greater Birmingham Officers Chairman Phyllis Hall vice chairman Joseph Mays, Jr. treasurer Michael Temple secretary David Woodruff

Board Members Tracey Adams Anthony Berryman Cecil Bostany Elizabeth Carpenter Denise Dauphin Sarah Duggan Andy Easterling Mike Ermert Courtney French Eric Frye Ann Haas Phyllis Hall Roderick Hawkins Robert L. Holman Wayne Houston Mallie Ireland Lynn Jones Anthony A. Joseph Robert E. Kelly Scott Kenny Tom L. Larkin John Lauriello Harrison Manning

Joseph Mays, Jr. Ann D. McMillan Dan Monroe John Ott Leigh Davis Perry Rick Player Henry Ray, Jr. Emily Rushing Lloyd Shelton Reeves Sims, Jr. Stephen Smith Walker Sorrell Cedric Sparks Andra Sparks Michael Suco Britney Summerville Michael Temple Chip Watts Tommy Wells Greg Weyandt Sally Hartley Williams David Woodruff

Board of Trustees Chairman Anne Huckstep vice chairman Bill Clark

Joe Bluestein Frank James Allen Rushton James W. Shepherd Judge Scott Vowell Interim President and CEO Norman E. Joyner YLife Birmingham is published five times a year by the YMCA of Birmingham.

Copyright 2006 by the Metropolitan Birmingham YMCA. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the YMCA of Birmingham.

YLife Birmingham welcomes letters and story ideas. Please send them to: YLife Birmingham, 2101 4th Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203 or to ylife@ymcabham.org.

YLife Birmingham Staff

vice PRESIDENT, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS David G. Hill COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOr Loyd McIntosh designer Tracy Thomas

Mission: To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Vision: We will lead our community to become the healthiest in America.

United Way Partner.

JoinMe at the Y New Eras Begin

A Shades Valley member receives counsel on using the new Cardio equipment.

We’ve been construction crazy recently, but the YMCA of Greater Birmingham welcomes the completion of two new projects at Shades Valley and Alabaster. YMCA Shades Valley reopened after almost a year of living in temporary quarters, with a brand new front entrance: cardio, free weight and strength training areas; locker rooms; cycle room; and family changing area. Thirty miles to the south on I-65, YMC Alabaster will officially open a spectacular new addition later this month. The new building is connected to the existing facility and includes a new front entrance, locker rooms, gymnasium/general purpose room, and space for the Shelby County Day Program for at risk youth. All children’s programming will be housed in the new building as well, officially ending over 40 years serving Alabaster in the older childcare center just two miles away.

Alabaster during its transformation.

On the podcast …

Podcast 15

Kelly Kidd

Kelly Kidd, Healthy Lifestyles Director at YMCA Hoover, discusses the new member experience at the YMCA. In this episode, Kelly gives tips on how to avoid being intimidated, how to stay motivated, and how to get the most of being a new member.

Podcast 16

Jasmine McDaniel Jasmine McDaniel, a volunteer youth mentor at the Birmingham YMCA Youth Center discusses the need for young professional mentors as well as the story of Tory. A teenager from a rough part of town, Tory spent the summer at the Youth Center and, by summer’s end, had transformed into a leader among his peers.

4 | www.ymcabham.org

Downtown Welcomes Special Guest Ben Vereen Award winning actor of stage and screen, Ben Vereen, visited the Downtown YMCA today. Mr. Vereen is in town to celebrate and recognize the local partners of Diabetes: Cities for Life.

The Birmingham YMCA is a steering committee member of the initiative to support persons with diabetes or at risk for diabetes by linking healthcare professionals and community based resources. Other lead partners locally include UAB Family Medicine and UAB Health Smart. Cities for Life is an initiative of the American Academy of Family Physicians and is supported by Sanofi US.

LifeSkills 3 ways To get the most out of mobilefit 1. Work Smarter Download the MobileFit app to your and have your personal workout plan delivered straight to your smart phone, tablet or computer. This will help you be better prepared for your workout when you come to your neighborhood Y. You can still print a hardcopy at your branch, but the app lets you have your workout plan at your fingertips at all times.

2. Stay On Track As trainers, we know that being able to see progress is a great motivator. MobileFit understands that, too. MobileFit automatically tracks your progress and provides you with easy-to-understand charts and metrics so you can see if you’re on track to meeting your goals.

3. The Misssing Link

Physical activity is important, but it’s half the equation. MobileFit’s nutrition technology provides you with an customized and structured nutrition plan that will fit into your lifestyle. This is more than just a food journal. It’s a real plan to help you make good, sound, healthy choices.

Johnny Gregg, Personal Trainer YMCA Mountain Brook

January-March 2013 | YLife Birmingham | 5

A HEALTHY

COMMUNITY

STARTS 2012 ANNUAL REPORT

HERE

Alabaster’s Field of Dreams

THE CAMPAIGN FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY YMCA Alabaster

F

irst-grader JJ has found his favorite sport! For two seasons he auditioned all of the sports offered at YMCA Alabaster—fall soccer, spring flag football, winter basketball, etc. However, JJ has decided, at long last, that his favorite sport is summer baseball! Who could blame him when you can spend a summer enjoying the smell of a new, leather ball baseball glove; the sound the bat makes when driving a fastball to deep left field; or the feeling of sliding into home for the winning run.

In truth, every child deserves to have those kind of experiences in life, but for many children in our community reality gets in the way of those dreams becoming a reality. This is was almost the case for JJ. Being raised by his grandparents, they wanted him to play different sports that would teach him team work, social skills, discipline and to just have fun! But they needed financial assistance to help JJ do just that.

A gift of $100 will keep JJ and other children in similar circumstances to participate in youth sports at the YMCA, where coaches and staff emphasize teamwork, good sportsmanship, self-esteem and respect for one another. YMCA Youth Sports leagues are different from competitive club leagues in that every child receives equal practice and play time.

6 | www.ymcabham.org

During a YMCA sports season, JJ and his teammates are surrounded by volunteer coaches who support the kids in their charge with positive reinforcement and who believe competition is a positive process, but kept in the right perspective.

Help JJ and other children throughout the community stay in the game for a full season of baseball, or soccer, or flag football, or basketball, or any YMCA sport they choose.

THE CAMPAIGN FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY Camp Cosby

H

eather Farley is what we call a “Cosby Kid” even though she is now a leader in training at the Alpine, Alabama resident camp. Read her story; you’ll see why even she thinks of herself as one of us.

“Camp Cosby has been my home away from home for eight years. Cosby has inspired me to be a camp counselor and a better person. With all of the great counselors at Camp Cosby, it helps kids to grow.

“The camp experience helped me grow to be the best person I can be. I have really changed my perspective on life because of the people I’ve met and the activities that I’ve experienced.

The Ultimate ‘Cosby Kid’ “Camp Cosby has been my home away from home for eight years ... it helps kids to grow.”

“The thing that I look forward to when I go to camp is opening and closing campfires. It’s one of the times where the whole camp is together and you really feel the Cosby spirit at the outdoor, lakeside G.R.A.C.E. Chapel.

“I have faced—and conquered—one of my worst fears, the fear of heights. The Alpine Tower has made my fears vanish and it helps when you get to experience things with your new friends and trusted counselors.

“My experience at Camp Cosby inspired me to be a counselor; I have dreamed of it since my third year here. Being part of the L.I.T. program has brought me closer to that dream. The friends that I made this last summer have really changed my life.

“Camp Cosby is where you grow to stay close to old camp friends and make new camp friends. For life.”

January-March 2013 | YLife Birmingham | 7

Downtown’s Comeback Kid

THE CAMPAIGN FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY YMCA Downtown

“Here I have an extra family.

Everybody here helps one another and encourages others to succeed ....”

8 | www.ymcabham.org

F

ew people embody the YMCA spirit like Dorothy Holmes, a member downtown.

A gregarious, loving, firecracker of a lady, Dorothy can be found riding her favorite exercise bike, creating the next dance craze in Zumba, or splashing up a storm in water aerobics. However, it was only after a scary medical diagnosis and the generosity of the YMCA community.

Dorothy was diagnosed with pre-diabetes and encouraged to get into a program to help her lose weight and improve her overall health. However, after losing her job Dorothy believed she couldn’t afford to enroll in a program, until her daughter told her about the financial assistance program at the YMCA. Encouraged, Dorothy joined the YMCA and quickly found a world of friendship and encouragement she could only have imagined.

“People in my age bracket and circumstances have an outlet to come and do exercises and stay as fit as they can. I’m more fit at 55 than I was at 35. By God’s grace this has really benefitted me a whole lot,” said Dorothy. “I meet a lot of people from so many different backgrounds, and all my encounters have been wonderful. I just thank God for the YMCA. I am so grateful and appreciative because it changed my life.”

She lost close to 70 pounds and because of her healthy regime has positively affected many of the health issues her doctor warned her about. However, Dorothy says her life has improved primarily because of the people she has met that have encouraged her – and, in turn she has encouraged – including many of the instructors who, she suggests, must have the patience of Job. “I like to dance, but I didn’t know I could dance until I started coming here. The instructors actually encourage me to come into class and mess it up,” she said. “Here I have an extra family.

Everybody here helps one another and encourages others to succeed to a higher level. When you get older you have to really push yourself, and I think I push myself a lot.”

A

t YMCA Greystone children are safe, children can grow. After school care assures that children are not alone during the afternoon hours, and Summer Day Camp provides a safe environment for every child and peace of mind for parents. However, it’s the swim team at Greystone where children have the opportunity to grow and thrive all year long.

The team is called Swim Birmingham YMCA; the experience offers young people training, competition, and the chance to succeed and grow. Nationally certified YMCA coaches work to improve every child’s swimming ability while maintaining the YMCA’s focus on positive character values, such as caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. The team, one of the largest in Birmingham, competes locally and regionally, and in two leagues.

“Five years ago we started this team with just 25 kids and our program has now grown to over 150 kids, and the majority of them compete in our year-round program. We’re really excited about that, and about the future growth of our program,” said Adam West, Aquatics Director of YMCA Greystone.

Several of the team’s athletes have won major championships throughout the Southeast; however, the primary goal of the program is to instill positive character traits in ever swimmer. “We believe in the YMCA mission and values and our coaches work hard to instill those values into all of our swimmers,” West underscored.

“That’s one of the reasons why I think we’ve grown so much over the last few years. We’re not just teaching kids to be better swimmers or simply trying to grow our numbers. We’re growing kids and helping them to develop into successful young adults.”

THE CAMPAIGN FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY YMCA Greystone

Swimming to maturity at Greystone January-March 2013 | YLife Birmingham | 9

THE CAMPAIGN FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY Hargis Retreat

Hargis is Four for Four

M “

y oldest son wants to spend summers nowhere but YMCA Hargis Retreat.” So began mother Amy DeWeese. So it only made sense that my youngest son would attend this past year for the first time.

They both love it!”

“And, as a parent, I could not be more pleased. Aside from the obvious fun that they have there, I think their summer camp experience at Hargis is helping to develop them into better young men.

“There are so many things that they get to experience at Hargis Summer Camp that I would never be able to expose them to myself. I would never be able to engage them like the staff there, nor could I afford to take them swimming, rock climbing, canoeing, or fishing, on a weekly basis.

“Each summer brings new excitement; getting to meet new people. They enjoy making new friends, as well as working with different counselors. The counselors serve as great role models for my children.

“As a working parent, I would feel guilty that my boys must still get up early like during the school year to attend camp full time in the summer; but they can’t wait to get there each day.

“My desire for my children is that they get to experience outdoor activities, rip and romp in the wide open space, and learn some valuable life skills in a great wholesome environment. Hargis Summer camp offers all those things for us, and makes it fun at the same time.

“My oldest son has told me on numerous occasions that he hopes to become a Counselor in Training at Hargis Retreat.

“As we were driving up to camp on one of the very last days this past summer—which, by the way, is a gorgeous drive—my youngest son said, “Mom, YOU should come to camp next year, ‘cause it is AWESOME!”

“Mom, YOU should come to camp next year, ‘cause it is

AWESOME!”

10 | www.ymcabham.org

Hoops for all in Hoover

A

s we began registration for the very first season of competitive basketball, three potential players’ families could not afford the program. Single parent families, unemployed but looking for work, just doing the best they could to meet basic needs. I knew we had to help the players, but with three on one team I wasn’t sure how we could extend that much help. “

YMCA Hoover Healthy Lifestyles Director Kelly Kidd works with members and program participants of all kinds. But these three young men and their story affected the mother of two. She continues the story.

THE CAMPAIGN FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY YMCA Hoover

“After hearing about the three young men, a staff member asked if he could sponsor a player. ‘This is the discipline and the role models those boys need. They just need someone to give them a chance.’ As he was writing the check he paused, and asked me again how many of the players were in need. I told him three, he thought for a moment and said, ‘I want to sponsor two.” We were able to provide assistance to the third player as well.

“As we began the season, the coaches noticed one of the players sliding all over the floor during practice. After looking at his shoes they realized they were completely worn smooth on the bottom. The coaches pooled their money and bought the player new shoes. He walked proudly into the next practice showing everyone his shoes. No one knew who bought them, all they knew was he was ready to show off his new shoes.

“Of all the assistance that was provided, the best story had nothing to do with money. I started receiving reports of improved attitudes at home and at school.

As one parent was telling me about better grades coming home, ‘he just needed to feel like someone believed in him and know that he had something worth working for.’

“The team ended up winning the YBOA state championship that inaugural season.

It was a victory we all shared, the players, the coaches, the Hoover YMCA and all the donors that made it possible.”

January-March 2013 | YLife Birmingham | 11

Mountain Brook supercharges lives

D

onors to the annual campaign at YMCA Mountain Brook have provided healthy snacks for every child in YMCA Afterschool and Summer Day Camps for several years. Mountain Brook volunteers ramped up their campaign support last year; partnering with fellow non-profit, Girls On The Run, to help inspire girls at the YMCA Youth Center to be the best they can be.

In its after school setting, Girls On The Run encourages young women to recognize their inner strength and to define their lives on their own terms. As the name of the program indicates, Girls On The Run incorporates the sport of running as way to instill an appreciation for fitness and to build healthy habits. The girls even participated in a handful of races last year.

Longtime Mountain Brook member Cecile Franklin coached 15 girls at the Youth Center Downtown, helping then learn to make smart decisions with their physical, emotional, academic and social lives, and taught them skills to help resist peer pressure.

“A lot of people like to talk about self-esteem, but it’s really much more than that. It empowers and teaches them the skills to make better choices in their lives,” Cecile said. “We teach them to avoid negative talk, to be around positive people who actually support you, and how to stay positive in negative situations. Emotions aren’t necessarily good or bad, it’s what you do with them that is either good or bad.”

Through the fund-raising efforts at YMCA Mountain Brook, the branch was able to fund programs at the Youth Center and Phillips Academy, allowing close to 30 girls to have the opportunity to participate in this life-changing program.

“Because Girls On The Run uses running to emphasize its curriculum,” Cecile said, “it’s a perfect fit for the YMCA Mountain Brook and the mission to help kids be strong in spirit, mind and body.”

“We teach the girls to be around positive people who actually support them.”

12 | www.ymcabham.org

THE CAMPAIGN FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY YMCA Mountain Brook

Northeast Tech

T

echnology moves fast. Really fast. But not as fast as YMCA volunteer Jerenita Leavy.

These days, computer skills are vital to to finding good jobs, getting good grades, or just communicating with friends and relatives.

However, if you don’t have regular access to a computer, where can you go to gain those important computer skills?

Center Point resident Jerenita Leavy decided it should be the YMCA in her community. She started teaching free computer classes, first at YMCA Northeast followed by YMCA Western Area. Her goal is to help people of all ages learn how to successfully use a computer and how understanding technology can help improve their life.

“It dawned on me that a lot of people don’t have the skills that they need to apply for jobs, start businesses; things of that nature,” said Jerenita.

YMCA Northeast “We’re excited to be here because we saw a need in the community. Technology is moving very fast and we don’t want people to be left behind.”

THE CAMPAIGN FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY

During the one-hour a week, eight-week program, Jerenita teaches

“Technology is moving very fast and we don’t want people to be left behind.” children how to build web pages and design their own games, as well as how to be safe online and the dangers of cyber-bullying. She also teaches an adult class where students learn how to create and upload resumes, apply for jobs online, even begin entrepreneurial ventures. Jerenita reported that one student recently started her own business.

Since the program began early last year, over 100 young people and adults have learned how to use a computer. But Jerenita wants more; she hopes to raise enough money to have 50 computers in a dedicated building, to expand the program.

“My heart is here and I want to teach people,” Jerenita said. “When you finish our program, you know how to use a computer.”

January-March 2013 | YLife Birmingham | 13

THE CAMPAIGN FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY YMCA Pelham

A

t YMCA Pelham we know that youth are the building blocks for a better future and a better community. From the time a child can walk until he or she walks across the stage to accept a high school diploma, the YMCA strives to instill those character traits that will help them become successful adults.

Thompson High School junior and YMCA youth volunteer Maddie Lewis exemplifies everything that the YMCA hopes a young person can accomplish. Here’s how Maddie describes her experience.

Forging futures at Pelham both now allow me to meet new people and establish relationships successfully.

“... respect and responsibility are part of a good life.”

“YMCA values strengthen my philosophies and principles. Honesty and caring were not always my strong suit as a child, but with help from a couple of counselors I learned the importance of owning up to my mistakes and accepting the diversity of other people, which

14 | www.ymcabham.org

“Growing up as an only child around adults pushed me to be independent and respectful. Going to the YMCA, where values prevail, I grew to understand that respect and responsibility are part of a good life.

Maddie has spread that good life to young people around her; as a volunteer in the after school and summer camp programs, she has twice been named Youth Volunteer of the Year: at Pelham, and then last year, at Alabaster.

When you give to the YMCA’s Campaign for a Healthy Community, you are providing our young people a foundation for skill and character development to become tomorrow’s leaders.

Shades Renegade

W

“

hat made me want to learn how to swim was going to camp here at YMCA Shades Valley.” On its surface that comment, from swim lesson instructor, lifeguard, and swim team coach Dion Lee is unremarkable. Let him tell the rest of his story.

“I was one of the only black kids in this camp and all my white friends could swim. My twin brother and I were in the shallow end with the life jackets on because we couldn’t swim. I wanted to learn how to swim because I wanted to play with these kids. It looked awesome.

Everybody’s jumping in from the side and diving in to the bottom and getting toys and stuff. I felt like I was being ostracized, so I YMCA Shades Valley wanted to learn how to swim.

THE CAMPAIGN FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY

“I asked my aunt ‘what do you think about swim lessons at the Y.’ She said ‘I don’t know, none of us have ever done swim lessons.’ So, she went out on a limb and got me swim lessons and I’m grateful.

Statistics show black kids can’t really swim, but I’m not part of that statistic.

“I teach here now. I love this place.”

“One of my friends attends Lawson State Community College and I went with him to work out one day and, right above the pool area is the weight room that looks directly onto the pool. I was swimming and no one was in the pool. It was vacant and it didn’t look like anyone had been in that pool for quite a while. I started noticing that I was drawing a crowd as I was doing my kick turns. People were just watching me like I was in a zoo or something. Some of them started asking me ‘man, where did you learn to swim?’ I told them at the Shades Valley YMCA. They said ‘I wish someone had taught me how to swim when I was that age.’

“For me to only start when I was eight years old to now being a certified lifeguard, swim instructor and swim coach, I think, is pretty awesome. I learned to swim at the Shade Valley YMCA, got my certifications here, and I teach here now. I love this place.”

January-March 2013 | YLife Birmingham | 15

Safe Haven at Trussville

Y

MCA Trussville is THE SAFE PLACE for kids in eastern Jefferson County. It begins with the ubiquitous yellow SAFE PLACE sign; a sign used at YMCAs, schools, fire stations, libraries, grocery and convenience stores and other public buildings, a sign that says this is a safe haven, this is a place where young people are valued.

Diane Poole values it.

When she reentered the workforce several years ago, she wanted to make sure her son Andy was cared for in a safe environment after school and during holidays.

“We searched a lot of places and we felt like, through the research

we had done, that the Y was the best place for him and it has not disappointed.”

The children have their own wing at the Trussville Y, commonly known as The Stadium. A place for them to play, grow and learn in a fun and safe environment, The Stadium is where kids in after school, Summer Day Camp, holiday camps, and even regularly scheduled lock-ins can cut loose and just be kids.

Diane reported that Andy enjoys the sports and other activities that keep him active and having fun while she finishes her day at the office. “They keep him occupied with things he enjoys doing. He loves it.”

In the pool, on the gym floor, on the playground, or in after school or summer programs, YMCA Trussville keeps children safe while they develop, grow, and learn. Those values centered experiences will also encourage a healthy lifestyle.

Diane has become an ambassador for Trussville children’s programs. She says whenever she is asked about quality childcare options in the area, she always recommends the Trussville YMCA. A safe place, for us all.

THE CAMPAIGN FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY YMCA Trussville

16 | www.ymcabham.org

Opening Vestavia’s doors

P

roviding neighbors and friends access to the YMCA is part of our mission: for all. Support of the annual campaign opened our doors to this YMCA Vestavia member and her family.

“I am a very grateful member of the Vestavia YMCA. My daughters and I had been going through a very rough patch and last summer a close friend told me about the financial aid program there.

“I did not know it at the time, but the Y would be where I regained my confidence in life that had been drained from me trying to shield the kids from a very dangerous environment.

THE CAMPAIGN FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY YMCA Vestavia

“As soon as we walked out of the house every day, I was determined not to let the negative stuff going on affect what I was trying to build for the kids and me. I make new friends at the Y almost every day and have the comfort of seeing mostly the same faces of the staff members regularly.

“I cannot even begin to express my joy about how wonderful the day care staff has been with my two and one year old. I was shocked to see how happy and independent they were in a day care environment because it was a first for them and they have been so stuck to me as their safe place.

Seeing my babies like that let me know how safe they felt and that is priceless to me.

“My nine-year-old daughter joined the swim team this summer.

Over the summer I have seen her blossom and get back to the same sweet, goofy kid she used to be. Coach Chaz Carter played such a huge part in that and she loves all the staff here, too.

“I’ve even got my grumpy teenager coming more and having fun.

“We walked out of our home situation in April and I honestly do not know if I would have had the strength if I had not found so much happiness and support at the YMCA.”

January-March 2013 | YLife Birmingham | 17

Running out West

A

t YMCA Western Area, anchored between the Midfield and Five Points West communities, we know that our young people deserve a place where they can be encouraged to live beyond the limits of their surroundings. Your support of the YMCA’s Campaign for a Healthy Community helps us develop youth through after school care, youth sports, community outreach programs, and membership.

Perhaps no program embodies the YMCA’s mission better than the Western Area Track Team. Looking to help children who were uninterested in the normal team sports, Keesha Nelson, Community Wellness Director and high school track athlete, put word out to parents in the area about the possibility of starting a track team. “We normally have plenty of children interested in football, basketball, and baseball, but what about the others? We decided to try a youth running group,” she said.“ Beginning with 20 second graders from schools across the western area, they trained after school twice a week. Training for the Kids Mercedes Marathon, The Rumpshakers, The Women’s Health Fun Run, The NObesity Fun Run, and The Mother Daughter Fun Run started in November 2011. Since then,

the track team program has grown in size and in outcomes. The team participated in the 2012 Alabama Sports Festival, and won quite a few gold, silver and YMCA Western Area bronze medals.

Aside from the hardware, Keesha says none of this would be possible without the support of the parents, the volunteers, and the community at large.

THE CAMPAIGN FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY

“We have the most supportive group of parents that I have ever seen. It has been a joy to work with the kids on the team and I look forward to our next season,” Keesha said.

“We have a great group of volunteer coaches who have dedicated their time and energy to making our season a success.”

The Western Area YMCA’s goal is to develop youth through programs like the youth track team. We want to help youth discover the essential values to build self-respect and responsibility as well as social responsibility through enrichment and life skills programming.

“We have the most supportive group of parents I have ever seen..”

18 | www.ymcabham.org

Youth Center Karma YMCA Youth Center volunteer Jasmine McDaniel is the eye of the hurricane called youth mentoring. She is also the voice of the program. Listen.

“Here at the Youth Center we do group mentoring as a way for the children to come together and talk about the things that are affecting them in their daily lives. It could be social issues like bullying, peer pressure, and things that are going on at home that may be taking them down a wrong path.

THE CAMPAIGN FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY Youth Center

“Here at the Youth Center we do group mentoring as a way for the children to come together and talk about the things that are affecting them in their daily lives. ”

“Tory came to the Youth Center the summer between eighth and ninth grade. We knew he was from a rough neighborhood. He had portrayed himself as being a tough guy, but as we dug deep we found that this was his way to survive in his neighborhood. Over the course of the first two weeks, we saw some changes in Tory.

When he first came in, he had this attitude that he was too tough and too old to participate in a lot of the things that we do here.

“After those first weeks however, we started noticing cracks in his armor; he evolved into a leader among his peers. He began facilitating a lot of the conversations among our mentoring group and really opened up.

“That’s when we know he enjoyed coming to the Youth Center; the experience gave him the opportunity to just be himself.

“By the end of the summer, we saw the impact the program had brought to Tory’s life. He cried when summer came to an end. He thought that he was going to miss out on the opportunities to grown, learn and be himself at the Youth Center.

“What he didn’t realize was the impact he had brought to all of the young people at the Youth Center.”

January-March 2013 | YLife Birmingham | 19

YMCA’s Chaplaincy

Nurturing Your Spiritual Growth It is one of the bedrocks of the YMCA; nurturing the potential of people young and old – in spirit, mind, and body, and it happens in small ways every day. Children learn valuable life lessons in the Afterschool program, learn teamwork building in youth sports, and get ready for school in the Kindergarten Readiness program. Adults form friendships and strength from each other in their group exercise classes, while sharing a cup of coffee in the lobby, or through initiatives like the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program.

It also happens in life-changing ways, through the YMCA of Greater Birmingham’s Chaplaincy program. One of only 12 YMCA associations nationwide with a fulltime Chaplain, the Birmingham YMCA’s Chaplaincy program offers an atmosphere of spiritual

20 | www.ymcabham.org

spiritual needs of our members, volunteers and staff in an atmosphere of religious, ethnic and economic diversity. Your donations also add to the impact of this program, which has now spread across our branches in the form of volunteer Chaplains. Now, more than ever, the Chaplaincy Program is able to reach everyone who has a touch with the YMCA when a need arises.

gratification where people of every faith are welcome and where spiritual needs are met with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love.

The Chaplaincy of the YMCA is a dynamic and proactive ministry whose purpose is to build a spiritual and pastoral presence in the YMCA. We want to respond to the

Rev. Tom Rains is available to address a variety of pastoral needs that arise among staff, members and volunteers, such as family and employment matters, health and financial issues, conflict resolution, and other issues.

“All of us in our lives encounter challenges at one time or another time,” Rains said, “and I am available to those folks just to talk.”

“We’re not a church and we’re not trying to be a religious organization, but we do want to have the spiritual dimension in the things that we do,” Rains adds. “That’s interpreted in a lot of different ways. The approach here is to make sure we reach everyone spiritually.”

circuit

YMCA Northeast 628 Red Lane Road Birmingham, AL 35216

205.833.7616

connecting you to the birmingham YMCA branch by branch

ymcabham.org/NORTHEAST Executive Director

Terri A. Harvill

january-MARCH 2013

YMCA Pelham 2610 Pelham Parkway Pelham, AL 35124

205.664.9622 ymcabham.org/PELHAM

Circuit has always been about connecting you to the programs that are for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

We hope that connection is even easier now. By connecting you directly to the areas on our website—ymcabham.org —you can find all the details, all the dates, times, and branches for those programs, along with direct links to online registration. Look for ymcabham.org/ … and then the name of the program. Type it into your browser, and you’re there!

Executive Director

Lane Vines Membership Director

Leslie Lazaro

YMCA Shades Valley 3551 Montgomery Highway Birmingham, AL 35209

205.870.9622 ymcabham.org/SHADESVALLEY Executive Director

Cham Norman Membership Director

Dawn Pilleteri

YMCA Trussville 5920 Valley Road Trussville, AL 35173

256.655.2224 ymcabham.org/TRUSSVILLE Executive Director

Jerry Wang Membership Director

Wendy Newland

YMCA Vestavia 2086 Columbiana Road Vestavia Hills, AL 35216

Directory YMCA Alabaster (Family Branch)

117 Plaza Circle Alabaster, AL 35007

205.663.7240

205.823.0144 Susan Becker

205.324.4563

Clay Coleman

Executive Director

Christian Rieseberg

Rhonda Elmore

Membership Director

Membership Director

Caroline Bundy

1303 7th Street SW Alabaster, AL 35007

205.663.6504 ymcabham.org/ALABASTER Executive Director

Gwen Hatcher

YMCA Greystone

2250 John Hawkins Parkway Hoover, AL 35244

205.923.1195 ymcabham.org/WESTERNAREA

205.682.1399

Executive Director

Terri A. Harvill

Julie Broday

ymcabham.org/GREYSTONE

Membership Director

Executive Director

Cindy Reams

2400 7th Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35203

YMCA Mountain Brook

ymcabham.org/YOUTHCENTER

Pat Tate Membership Director

YMCA Hargis Retreat

Kevin Casey

1195 Bessemer Road Birmingham, AL 35228

205.981.0144

2290 Paul Bear Bryant Road Alpine, AL 35014

Executive Director

YMCA Hoover

ymcabham.org/HOOVER

YMCA Camp Cosby

ymcabham.org/CAMP COSBY

YMCA Western Area

5414 Highway 280 Birmingham, AL 35242

Kristin Harris

256.268.2007

Membership Director

ymcabham.org/DOWNTOWN Executive Director

(Childcare Branch)

Executive Director

2101 Fourth Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35203

ymcabham.org/ALABASTER

Carol Hamilton

ymcabham.org/VESTAVIA

YMCA Downtown

928 Hargis Drive Chelsea. AL 35043

205.678.6512

Executive Director

YMCA Youth Center

2401 20th Place South Birmingham, AL 35223

Program Executive

Anthony Sparks

256.870.0144 ymcabham.org/MOUNTAINBROOK Executive Director

205.324.1643

ymcabham.org

Michelle Oliver

ymcabham.org/HARGISRETREAT

Membership Director

Program Executive

Kristie Nix

Kim Sharp

January-March 2013 | YLife Birmingham | 21

circuit parents:

Take a night off With us! Parents Nights Out are popular with adults, but it’s your young’uns who benefit the most, from time well spent at the YMCA. Here are upcoming dates, so you can plan one. Just call your neighborhood YMCA or go to ymcabham.org for the details and to register.

alabaster YMCA Third Friday of each month (YMCA members only) February 15, Valentine’s Sock Hop

hoover yMCA January 25 February 22

shades valley YMCA January 25 February 14, Valentine’s Sock Hop

vestavia yMCA

COUNTDOWN TO SUMMER CAMP 2013 AND MEMORIES Registration begins: Alabaster YMCA: January 1 (members); February 1 (non-members) Hargis Retreat: January 31 Hoover YMCA: February 1 Shades Valley: January 1 Trussville YMCA: February 1 – online only until March 1 Vestavia YMCA: January 7 Youth Center: January 28 (If your neighborhood YMCA is not listed, just call or go online to see when registration begins.)

PARTIES HARDY!

Birthday Splash Parties (all Branches) Partiers get one hour of recreational swimming, followed by an hour in an outdoor area or a room.

Call your local YMCA, or go online at ymcabham.org for more information and to reserve a date.

IMAGINE …

ArtVENTURES AROUND THE WORLD

Hoover YMCA

Eart, crafts and customs of Iceland, Mexico, France, China, Italy, England & Africa.

Six weeks in January-February; two sessions, first-second and third-sixth graders.

TUTORING TAILORED FOR YOUTH Western Area YMCA Monday – Thursday after school CONTACT: tjones@ymcabham.org

Hoover YMCA Soft Play Parties; for birthdays, on Saturdays, for up to 30 kids!

Second Friday of each month

Trussville YMCA

CAMPING NOW AND THEN When school is out, the YMCA is open for what we call “Fun Club Days.”

Shades Valley, Western Area YMCAs February 18

Spring Break Camp March 18 – 22 Complete information, and online registration, for the program nearest you is at ymcabham.org

22 | www.ymcabham.org

Team Parties and Birthday parties.

All Night “circus” Lock-in: Friday, January 25.

Limited spaces.

Complete information online at ymcabham.org

KIDS FITNESS MADE FUN Vestavia YMCA Tuesday & Thursday, ages 5-13 (Free to members) Sign-in at Youth Area next to ChildWatch

FOR YOUTH

D

KIDS CROSS TRAINING Trussville YMCA FREE for member’s children, ages 7-13.

CONTACT: kweidenback@ ymcabham.org

Homeschool Physical Education Vestavia YMCA CONTACT: matt.robinson@ ymcabham.org

CHEER CHEER CHEER FOR THE SPIRIT OF IT Western Area YMCA Middle and High School Spirit Competition March 16 CONTACT: Keesha Nelson/Travis Stoves, 923-1195

SWIMMING Group Swim Lessons (all branches) Classes are offered mornings, afternoons, and evenings after work and Saturdays for all age groups. Please contact your local YMCA for times and availability.

YOUTH SPORTS

ALL BRANCHES START LESSONS THE WEEK OF January 2

SPRING SPORTS REGISTRATION

Saturday lessons, parent/child lessons, and “fish level” lessons

Pelham, Alabaster, Greystone YMCAs Soccer, Volleyball, Flag Football January 7-February 9

Hoover YMCA Survey of Sports, Volleyball, Basketball, Hip Hop Dance, Martial Arts Kickboxing January 1 –February 9 Complete information and registration online at ymcabham.org

Western Area YMCA Volleyball Clinic, Baseball, Baseball Clinic and Skills Camp CONTACT: Travis Stoves, 923-1195

Challenger Soccer Academy and Mini Kickers Program REGISTRATION Pelham YMCA

are available at many YMCAs across the greater Birmingham area.

Swim Birmingham YMCA

IT’S THE BIGGEST SWIM TEAM EVER

Including YMCAs Greystone, Hoover, Pelham, Shades Valley, Trussville, and Vestavia Begins again January 2, 2013.

There is still time to join the year-round competitive team for ages 5-18.

Contact these YMCAs to see what levels are offered. Not all levels are offered at all branches.

JUNIOR TENNIS

Private and Semi Private Lessons (all branches) For ages 3 and up.

Contact your local YMCA for days and times, or go online to ymcabham.org

Trussville YMCA

USTA Junior Tennis Teams (8-12 year olds) Junior Tennis Schedule Starting early February CONTACT: pwildt@ymcabham.org

Mountain Brook YMCA Junior Tennis Clinics begin in early January, February, and March Check the Mountain Brook Tennis department for details: 445-2862

January 7-February 9 For ages 3-16, March 15 - April 19.

Coaches are from Great Britain and Brazil.

CONTACT: tharrelson@ymcabham.org

H DEVELOPMENT January-March 2013 | YLife Birmingham | 23

circuit HEALTHY 2013 CHALLENGE Powered by MobileFit

No one has to tell you, but it’s been proven over and again that people who stick with this kind of challenge are twice as likely to achieve results; to meet their healthy living goals!

Sign up for a MobileFit/Health Coaching session at your YMCA today … for the new year.

GIVE YOUR EMPLOYEES THE GIFT OF HEALTH Through the YMCA’s My Week at the Y program, your employees can enjoy a week of FREE access to the Y branch of their choice, and then join the Y with no join fee for that week and the following week.

PERSONALLY TRAINED

So you want to jump start your year with a new regime, for a healthy lifestyle, to gain increased self-confidence to initiate and to sustain positive health habits. And let’s face it, to get to a better physical place. Surrounded by a community of support and meaningful relationships, YMCA personal trainers create personalized, realistic health goals and help you make progress in achieving long-term change that will last.

Go online to your neighborhood YMCA at ymcabham.org to find out more about these personally trained options.

GROUP EXERCISE THE Y WAY YMCA Group Exercise programs are fun and interactive ways for you to be active and to positively impact your health … and mood. And they are always free to YMCA members!

Trussville YMCA Personal Training by appointment, Kid’s cross training, Zumba Gold CONTACT: Kerry Weidenback at kweidenback@ymcabham.org

Greystone YMCA Zumba Gold (for beginners) CONTACT: Renae McCullough at rmccullough@ymcabham

Hoover YMCA Introductory classes in Spinning, Yoga, Pilates, and Zumba CONTACT: Robyn Boatman at rboatman@ymcabham.org PLUS: Kids Fit Club; Parent/Child Team Training; Speed, Lateral, Agility and Quickness; Teen Strength, Cross training Clinics (Special Saturday Family class), Kids and adult nutrition classes CONTACT: Kelly Kidd at kkidd@ymcabham.org

Mountain Brook YMCA BRAND NEW: Barre classes, and Barefoot Training CONTACT: Lisa Hart at lhart@ymcabham.org

Corporate memberships to the Y will help your employees handle stress, stay fit and stay healthy!

Northeast YMCA Zumba Party every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 p.m., plus a new Thursday Zumba class.

CONTACT: Keesha Nelson at knelson@ymcabham.org

Contact: Caroline Bundy at cbundy@ymcabham.org

Pelham YMCA Our Group Exercise instructors are highly trained to provide you safe and effective exercise programs, while fostering a great atmosphere for healthy living.

When you participate in a YMCA Group Exercise program, expect to improve your physical activity, enhance your overall well-being, while staying motivated to participate and engage in physical activity a long, long time. To your health!

Here’s what new, improved—and available to you—in Group Exercise, from Alabaster to Zumba!

Complete information for every program is available online at ymcbaham.org

Alabaster YMCA Group Personal Training, TRX Suspension Group Training CONTACT: Dana Harmon at dharmon@ymcabham.org

24 | www.ymcabham.org

Women on Weights, TRX circuit classes, Youth Fitness (three levels) CONTACT: Suzanna Weimer at sweimer@ymcabham.org

Vestavia YMCA Women Walk and Weights, Women’s Bootcamp, Weight Loss Support Group, 21 Day until Spring Break Bootcamp, Youth Karate, Thursday Evening Yoga Class, Water Aerobics two nights a week, earlier Saturday Yoga class, later Saturday Zumba class, and Sunday beginner classes CONTACT: India Gold at igold@ymcabham.org

FOR H E

EXERCISE FOR OUR CAUSE While you’re having a blast, and blasting your way to a good mood and good health, your participation in these two events helps support our “Campaign for a Healthy Community.”

Pelham YMCA FUNK LATIN FUSION DANCE PARTY Friday, January 25 $20 before event, $25 day of event; limited VIP tickets: $30 CONTACTS: Cristina Rodriguez at zumba@ymcabham.org or Jenny Dick at jdick@ymcabham.org

Trussville YMCA CYCLE-A-THON March CONTACT: First Lastname at flastname@ ymcabham.org 12-Week Triathlon Training Program & Triathlon Swimming Pelham and Greystone YMCAs Complete information is online at ymcabham.org

TENNIS

Trussville YMCA CONTACT: Pam Wildt at pwildt@ymcabham.org

tri-athletes, and the rest of us who want to stay in shape and do something that will not pound our bodies.

New Tennis Assistant, Antonia Nugent, brings Strength and Conditioning to the tennis courts

Contact your local Y for practice times and days.

Private Swim Coaching Greystone and Hoover YMCAs Contact either YMCA for complete information, or go online to ymcabham.org

Former standout tennis player for UAB, Antonia uses her Master’s in Exercise Physiology to combine tennis clinics with strength and core training.

Polar Bear Club

Winter USTA League Play resumes in mid-January

See how many miles you can swim in six weeks: January 7 – March 15. Just register with the lifeguard at your local YMCA and then every time you swim log in the number of lengths of the pool that you swim. The top ten finishers will receive a prize. Contact the swim director at your neighborhood YMCA for complete information and to sign up!

Winter Clinics for Softcourt Levels Mountain Brook YMCA USTA Women’s Winter League begins January 7 Winter Ladies Tennis Camp, January 14 – 18 Women’s and Men’s Clinics, for all levels of play, will be held in January, February, and March Adult Spring League registration begins February 1; play begins March 1 (Leagues include Men’s and Women’s USTA, USTA mixed doubles, USTA Flex Leagues, Men’s Interclub and Women’s soft court)

Complete information is online at ymcabham.org/MBTennis Check the Mountain Brook Tennis department for details. 445-2862

New for 2013

Swim Birmingham YMCA Stingrays Masters Group @ Downtown, Greystone, Hoover, Mountain Brook, Pelham, Trussville, Vestavia YMCAs For swimmers, 19 years or older, Stingrays arerecreational swimmers, former college athletes, rising and experienced

H EALTHY LIVING November-December 2012 | YLife Birmingham | 25

circuit Lifeguard Training

The YMCA has created stronger communities and better equipped lifeguards for more than 100 years.

This year’s Lifeguard Training prepares participants to prevent, anticipate and effectively respond to aquatic emergencies. In Lifeguard Training, participants learn:

These same programs are available to everyone, beginning this month.

@ Downtown, Greystone, Hoover, Mountain Brook, Pelham, and Trussville YMCAs

• Incident prevention and victim recognition

• Decision-making skills • Lifeguard supervision systems • How to handle special lifeguarding

Contact your local YMCA, or go online to ymcabham.org for complete information, dates, and to register.

environments and situations

• How to make safe and effective rescues The YMCA Lifeguard Training program is designed to help participants develop skills and knowledge, as well as confidence, judgment and the ability to help make the Y pool and beach environment a safer place.

A variety of classes around the Lifeguarding process begin in January.

Lifeguard Training @Downtown, Greystone, Hoover, Mountain Brook, Shades Valley, Trussville, and Vestavia YMCAs

Lifeguard Assessment (Let’s see what you can do) Lifeguard Training Prerequisite Test Pelham YMCA

Go to your neighborhood YMCA online at ymcabham.org to find the kind of class that is right for you.

26 | www.ymcabham.org

COMMUNITY CPR/AED/ FIRST-AID CLASSES

CPR for the Professional Rescuer Re-Certification Vestavia YMCA

Nearly 300,000 out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrests occur annually, according to the American Heart Association. Of those victims, fewer than 8 percent survive.The AHA estimates that many of these people could be saved by the quick initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

CPR helps maintain vital blood flow to the heart and brain and increases the amount of time during which an electric shock from an automated external defibrillator (AED) can be effective. When provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest, effective bystander CPR can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival.

The Y is dedicated to providing safe environments for people of all ages and abilities. Given this commitment and the prevalence of physical activity at YMCAs, CPR and first aid training and certifications are necessary for most YMCA staff members and volunteers. Certain positions, including YMCA lifeguards, require training and certification in professional rescuer CPR/AED, first aid, and emergency oxygen administration.

FOR SOCIAL

R

MyMission: Lauren Chambers “The Alabaster YMCA and the new TRX suspension training system have helped me mentally as well as physically to feel better about myself and be a better mom.”

“I love the TRX because I can already feel strength all over my body, my core especially. After having a baby getting your abdominal muscles back in shape is difficult and TRX has really helped me do that.”

“I have two children and two step-children, I’m very active in my faith and my church, and I have a couple of dogs, so I’m really active getting out and throwing the ball around with them. I’m also up at the crack of dawn with the baby, so I come to the Y to get the most of my workout and my day.”

Lauren Chambers, YMCA Alabaster

About TRX Suspension Training TRX Suspension Training is body weight exercises that builds full body strength, flexibility and your core all at the same time.

‘‘

‘‘

I can already feel strength all over my body.

L RESPONSIBILTY January-March 2013 | YLife Birmingham | 27

YMCA of BIRMINGHAM

2101 Fourth Avenue North Birmingham, Alabama 35203 www.ymcabham.org

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 1072 Birmingham, AL