2016 YMCA Newsletter

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT® FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY THE GATEWAy FAMIly yMCA www.tgfymca.org

dECEMBER 2016

FOR ALL THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAYS OUR LIVES GAIN A PURPOSE LARGER THAN OURSELVES AND wE jOIN TOGETHER IN THE ExPRESSION OF jOYOUS HOPE AND UNwAVERING HUMAN SPIRIT. It is at this time that we reflect on the completion of 2016 and look forward with expectation and excitement on what is to come as we set new goals for 2017.

Behind everything we do at The Gateway Family yMCA is a profound commitment to the people and communities we serve. We truly believe that inclusion and diversity are paramount to achieving our goal of strengthening the foundations of community, for all. We believe that lasting personal and social change can only come about when we all work together to invest in our youth, our health and our neighbors. That is why many of the experiences of 2016 have brought a great sense of pride and achievement.

The y is a powerful association of men, women and children joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of youth, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility. Whether providing healthy food options for underserved communities, safe and affordable child care to a single parent, or helping newcomers feel connected and welcome in our community, our y is committed to giving all people the necessary support to live safe, connected, and healthy lives.

With our doors open to all, the y is made up of people of all ages and from every walk of life working side by side to strengthen communities. This year, we welcomed newcomers to our county, newcomers to our community and new members to our yMCA. In July, we welcomed Syrian refugee children into our summer camp program at the Elizabeth Branch. In September, the celebration of Welcoming Week brought together all members of the community with a common focus on strengthening our community.

We have increased intentional strategies allowing us to reach diverse, isolated, and underserved populations.

Through our outreach programs, social services and Adult day Services, we are able to combat social isolation, create small communities and reach those outside of our physical walls.

We feel strongly that by embracing the communities around us, we are improving the world as a whole.

KRySTAl R. CANAdy Chief Executive Officer

It is important that we continue to build our capacity JAMES MASTERSON Chief Volunteer Officer to advance our mission, and to meet the changing needs of our community. When we take steps to be inclusive, we elevate the y experience for everyone who walks through our doors and advance our cause to strengthen community. In 2016, we renewed our partnership with the Special Olympics of NJ, expanded our commitment to serving Military families, worked together to combat chronic disease and bridged the gap of food insecurity in our neighborhoods. We could not achieve these goals without our members, friends, neighbors and partners. your collaboration unites and strengthens our communities.

One of the real joys this holiday season is the opportunity to say thank you and wish you the very best for the New Year. As we come to the conclusion of 2016, our wish for you and your family is happiness, health and peace in 2017.

wELCOMING NEw FRIENDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers

PRESIdENT James Masterson VICE PRESIdENT Eugene Maxwell Karen Ensle SECRETARy Sharon Patel TREASURER Michael Minitelli ASSISTANT TREASURER Christine l. Hrycenko IMMEdIATE PAST PRESIdENT Joseph Venezia Members Jeffrey P. Beck derek Chiao Anne Evans Estabrook* Paul Fernandez John Forrester Maria Irizarry Philip Krevsky, Esq. John ludington Eugene Mitchell Elsa M. Muniz Calvin Sierra Ann Zwiebel Revaitis

SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM Krystal R. Canady Chief Executive Officer

Melynda A. Mileski EVP, Chief Operating Officer

dennis J. McNany SVP, Chief Financial Officer

Marilyn d. Phinn, SPHR VP, Chief Human Resources Officer

OPERATIONS TEAM danielle B. Cioffi

district Executive director Elizabeth and Five Points

Rodger d. Koerber

Rahway Branch Executive

Colleen A. Clayton

Wellness Center Interim Branch Executive

*y Homes, Inc.

The Gateway Family yMCA has always been responsive to the needs in the communities we serve. This past summer, we were the host site for 16 Syrian Refugee Children in their first experience at a Summer Camp program. Our y was approached by Carole Schwartz, a previous board member at the Summit yMCA, with the hope of providing a fun summer experience for a group of families who recently relocated to the United States from war-torn Syria. “last winter, there were 9 Syrian refugee families and 25 children in Elizabeth NJ, all newly arrived, who had experienced severe deprivation and interruption of their childhoods missing years of schooling and the joys and security of home, friends, family and, most essentially, uninterrupted play,” stated Carole Schwartz. Knowing the y and the programs we offer, Carole was determined to give these children a Summer Camp Experience.

In July, 16 children, ages 5-14 participated in two weeks of half-day summer camp at The Gateway Family yMCA – Elizabeth Branch. These children were able to experience the fun, excitement, wonder and learning that every other child experiences within a yMCA summer camp program. They were able to interact with other children, learn language and social skills and just be kids.

Making this idea of an experience a reality was no small task. There were language barriers, logistics including transportation, dietary restrictions, cultural and financial barriers; all things that took some time and effort in planning. Two local synagogues helped to raise funds to help offset the cost of the summer camp experience and The Gateway Family yMCA was able to provide financial assistance to bridge the gap.

The Syrian families had no idea what to expect from the y, or camp and were very concerned and protective of their children. The first couple of days were the most difficult, as it was a new experience for all. Before long, these children were interacting with the other campers, making new friends and engaging in new experiences. The Gateway Family yMCA was honored to be approached as the host site for this amazing experience.

Everyone involved, from the children themselves, to their families, the other campers and our staff has grown their understanding of other cultures, diversity and inclusion, and what it means when we say the y is “For All”.

LASTING IMPACT “Hi, my name is Gerby Janvier and this is my Y story. So, where do I begin. . . I am 1 of 4 kids and my parents work hard to take care our family. With my older brother in college, money is tight and my parents work a lot. As you can see, I have a passion for playing basketball!,” begins a video spotlight of our member, Gerby speaking about the impact our 7th Grade Initiative has made on his life. We invite you to view his story at https://youtu.be/vAASM088_pM Through the 7th Grade Initiative, local 7th grade students are provided free memberships in an effort to support and encourage teens to maintain or adopt healthy lifestyles, at an age when they are beginning to make their own choices regarding health and wellness. We believe in providing these students with a positive environment, where healthy habits can be learned and reinforced, where new friendships can be made, and where positive programs and role models are part of the daily routine.

At The Gateway Family yMCA, we recognize that 7th grade is a pivotal time in youth development, where sports become more competitive and many teens begin to become less active. Through the 7th Grade Initiative, we are able to bridge the gap between 6th grade, when many children stop participating in youth programs, and High School, when teens typically return to the y.

In addition to membership, students are invited to participate in special programs and services offered by the y. Our goal is to provide support for these teens, allowing them to strengthen healthy behaviors, remain active, gain a better understanding of nutrition and the importance of continuing these habits into their adult lives. Through the 7th grade initiative, we have experienced the beginning of lasting friendships, have cultivated relationships that grow into meaningful volunteer experiences and continue to share in life milestones with these teens far beyond 7th grade.

ASSOCIATION OFFICE

144 Madison Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ 07201 908.249.4800

ELIzABETH BRANCH

135 Madison Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ 07201 908.355.9622

FIVE POINTS BRANCH

201 Tucker Avenue, Union, NJ 07083 908.688.9622

wELLNESS CENTER BRANCH

1000 Galloping Hill Rd., Union, NJ 07083 908.349.9622

RAHwAY BRANCH

1564 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065 732.388.0057

wISE CENTER YMCA

2095B Berwyn Street, Union, NJ 07083 908.687.2995

MISSION

THE GATEwAY FAMILY YMCA is a community-based organization rooted in Christian principles and committed to building healthy lives through programs that strengthen spirits, minds and bodies for people of all ages, religions and cultures.