OUR VOICE
NORTH VALLEY FAMILY YMCA 11336 Corbin Ave, Northridge, CA 91326
September 2014 www.ymcala.org/nv
A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y
REGISTRATION & ORIENTATION:
September 19th 7:00p.m. @ North Valley YMCA, 11336 Corbn Ave, Northridge
FOOD FOR THOUGHT BACK TO SCHOOL NUTRITION TIPS:
Often, summer break is when the children’s healthy eating plans take a vacation. So, as summer comes to an end and the school year nears, take time to refocus your efforts as a family to ensure your children’s nutrition and physical activity habits are ready for the year ahead. Breakfast is an important meal for growing children. Studies show that breakfast eaters tend to have higher school attendance, less tardiness and fewer hunger-induced stomach aches in the morning. Their overall test scores are higher, they concentrate better, solve problems more easily and have better muscle coordination.
QUALITY TIME Y-GUIDES:
Bringing parents and children together to have fun, build relationships and make new friends. Read more on P. 4
So whether they eat at home or at school, be sure your children eat a nutritious breakfast every day. READ MORE ON P. 2
OUR VOICE | A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y
INSIGHT
By John Sinnema, Chair of North Valley Family YMCA’s Board of Managers
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
BACK TO SCHOOL NUTRITION TIPS: cont’d from p.1 If your children’s school provides meals, take time to go over the menu with them and discuss how to build a healthful and nutritious meal they will enjoy. Make sure the choices include whole grains, vegetables, fruits and low-fat or fat-free dairy at every meal. If you pack your children’s lunch, take your kids grocery shopping with you and allow them to pick out healthy foods that they enjoy. Your children are much more likely to eat what you pack for them if they have picked it out themselves.
at school and at home. In fact, involving the whole family is a great way to spend time together while getting the physical activity everyone needs. Most importantly, talk to your children. Learn the foods they like. Teach them about the foods they need for their growing bodies. Find ways together to make sure they have the knowledge and ability to eat healthy and tasty foods at every meal. For more information, visit the Find a Registered Dietitian page. Source: www.eatright.org
School is back in session and the fun continues at the Y. Why not take advantage of the before and after school child care offered on your school campus, or one of the dozens of classes offered for kids, adults and families throughout the day? For Kids: Dance, Youth Sports, Gymnastics, fitness classes, art, music, Youth & Government, Tae Kwon Do, enrichment, theater, homeschool classes, parent/ child programs, the Child Activity Center, and so much more! For Adults: aquatics, group exercise classes, great cardio and strength training systems, personalized exercise and nitrition programs, volunteer opportunities and adult sports leagues, just to name a few. Most classes come free with your family’s YMCA membership so check them out today. I know I’m presonally looking forward to another great year of fun with my girls in Y Guides. Special thanks to Steve for his story on P. 4.
If your children are involved in after-school activities, pack a healthy snack they can eat beforehand. Fruit or vegetable slices, 100 percent fruit juice and whole-grain crackers with low-fat cheese are healthy options that will give them the energy they need to make it to dinner. Regular physical activity is also vital to your children’s development. Not all children may like sports, but there are still plenty of ways they can get exercise on a daily basis
AMERICA ON THE MOVE September 22- 26 Join the North Valley YMCA as we inspire and encourage our community to make healthier choices, one decision at a time. America on the Move Week (AOM) gives us the opportunity to engage and educate our parents and youth in our community, about taking easy steps to being healthy. We look forward to engaging 6,000+ people during this event, which includes some of the LAUSD schools in the north part of the San Fernando Valley. On September 24th, we will have an Open House with healthy living booths, fitness tips on how to start and stick with your healthy living plan, an Incentive Game with a cool prize, a FREE 7-Day Guest Pass to try our Y, healthy snacks and recipes, and more. This event is FREE and open to the community. Contact Bryson Atkins at ext.2304 if you have any questions.
OUR VOICE | A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y
WE LOVE OUR STAFF Every year, we recognize some of the amazing, hard-working staff at the YMCA. Join us as we congratulate the following nominees for the 2014 Employee Excellence Awards.
OUTSTANDING NEW EMPLOYEE • Personally exhibits the Six Pillars of Character. • Has been an employee of the YMCA for at least 3 months & not more than 18 months. • Demonstrates excellent performance. • Performs above and beyond current responsibilities. 2014 NOMINATIONS Jeff Terhar Cary Cortez Roberto Alvarez Scott Crigger Sona Mantevosian
Cyrus Waters Monica De Marcos Cyrus Waters Alexandra Hurtado Lily Rojo
FUTURE YMCA PROFESSIONAL
Karen Castillo Jana Bangayan Stephanie Solorio Keshae Brown Andres Aguilar Danitza Eyo Kimberly Rivas Mariela Molina Tian Eisman Eduardo Ramirez Lopez
• Personally exhibits the Six Pillars of Character. • Demonstrates personal initiative and is enthusiastic about their job. • Has a desire to “move up the ladder” in the YMCA. • Has sought out preparing for a YMCA career. • Has demonstrated abilities and skills for potential advancement. 2014 NOMINATIONS Megan Dinsmore Jason Taylor Joshua Horosny Adrian Aure
Annie Mendez Carlos Basulto Ashley Jackson Natalie Quintero Herman Popoca Chantal Gagnon Kayla Cabrera
Brandon Dupitas Alexis Garcia Jessica Beltra
• Personally exhibits the Six Pillars of Character. • Has excellent human relations and communications skills and is very genuine with people. • Is instrumental in involving members to co-produce YMCA programs. • Creates opportunities for member involvement.
Lauren Hovet
Josh Beall Brian Dudra
Monika Galindo Kfir Mageni
STAR OF THE YEAR (Staff Team Achievement Recognition) • Personally exhibits the Six Pillars of Character. • Has received STAR recognition. • Demonstrates excellent performance. 2014 NOMINATIONS Monica Galvan Bianca Garcia Margarite Robinson Dominique Cardwell
Ener Arana Gemma Medina Andrea Magana
Community Support Campaign 2015 Every year, nearly 300 volunteers in our community come together to help us raise $400,000 for scholarships and program funding for Y programs throughout the community. If you are able, join us as a volunteer and you’ll also join in the great celebration of what our Y has to offer. For everyone who gives. you’ll have the personal pride of knowing that your donations will go directly to helping families in need.
MEMBER INVOLVEMENT
2014 NOMINATIONS Julio Silva
GIVING BACK
We extend a special thank you to tow of our outstanding volunteers: David Ebersold, Chair of the Community Gifts Campaign and Tom Wallace, CRT Campaign Chair. With their leadership, we will meet our goal and continue to our programs for Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility.
READY TO MAKE YOUR PLEDGE? Stephanie Saba DeJuan Nelson Jono Costales
go to: https://ymcala. thankyou4caring.org/ north-valley 3
OUR VOICE | A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y
SEPTEMBER CALENDAR • Fall Child Care: Sign Up Now Providing a safe, nurturing environment for children to learn, grow and develop social skills, we provide before and after school licensed childcare at 16 schools throughout the valley. Featuring fun, theme-oriented curriculum including arts and crafts, sports, recreation, homework time, enrichment and a dedication to helping kids reach their personal potential. Be sure to check out our new program at Darby Elementary School!! For more information please contact Nicole Sneep at 818-885-0423. • Summit Seekers Hikes: All the hikes are free and open to the community and geared for beginner/ intermediate hikers. Children are welcome to attend as long as an adult accompanies them. As always, remember to bring plenty of water and snacks. See you on the trail! Contact Jody Guerrero for details: JodyGuerrero@ymcala.org Saturday, September 27th, 9am Peter Strauss Ranch (Family Hike) Saturday, September 13th, 9am Distance: 1.5 miles Malibu Creek State Park Hike Level: Easy Distance: 6 miles Hike Level: Moderate
• Adventure Guides Orientation: Friday, September 19, 7pm Discover what all the fun is about. Read more in “Quality Fun Time.” • Parent’s Night Out: Friday, September 12, 6pm-9:30pm Parent’s make time for you and take the night off guilt free! Your kids will be having a blast creating crafts, playing games, and learning new skills all in a safe and supervised environment. So take the night off and let us take care of your kids while you take care of you! Cost: $17 per Child or $20 per Family Contact Jody Guerrero, Child Activity Center Coordinator ext 2329 for details.
CREATE YOUR LEGACY AT THE Y Planned Giving
Putting the Y into your estate plans is a simple way to secure a better future for tomorrow’s kids, families and communities. We invite you to visit the Y’s new gift planning pages at www.ymcala.giftplans.org to learn how you can develop the right plan for you, your family and your philanthropic interests.
QUALITY FUN TIME Y GUIDES: Parent & Child Program
We know how special the time is when parents and children come together to share each other and good times. But don’t take our word for it, here’s Steve Corvi’s thoughts on his family’s 7-year experience with Y Guides.
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The Y Guides is one of the best things I’ve ever done with my children. It gave me the opportunity to spend one on one time with them participating in variety of activities; weekend campouts, bowling nights, winter camp, and of course their favorite… Camp Fox on Catalina Island. Through the program, we have also established life- long friendships with other families in the community.
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• AMERICA ON THE MOVE: September 22 - 28 see p.3 for details • Member Appreciation Day: September 24th; 9-11 a.m. and 3-5 p.m. Join us for our monthly Member Appreciation Day during American on the Move week as we say thank you for being a member. Enjoy healthy and delicious snacks while mingling with other members and learning about all the programs we have to offer. • Fall Sports Leagues: YOUTH BASKETBALL, SOCCER, AND VOLLEYBALL : Ages 3-17 Sign-up now for an exciting season of fun for basketball, soccer or volleyball. ADULT MEN’S AND WOMEN’S LEAGUES: The Y is not just for kids. We also offer leagues for adults of all skill levels! All Leagues, call Daniel Zadikov for details at ext 2307.
Kyle Corvi - Steve Corvi - Nicole Corvi Join us Friday, September 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the YMCA for 2014 Adventure Guides Orientation. 4