July, 2014
THE EASTSIDER
VANDERBILT YMCA 224 East 47th Street New York, NY 10017 ymcanyc.org/vanderbilt
A NEWSLETTER FOR MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS OF THE VANDERBILT YMCA
Vanderbilt Hosts its 2014 Annual Campaign Victory Celebration
IN THIS ISSUE •
Vanderbilt hosts its 2014 Annual Campaign Victory Celebration
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Vanderbilt’s 2014 Pre-K Class Graduates
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Harvard Researcher, Emily Weinstein Works With Vanderbilt’s Teens
IMPORTANT DATES
Pictured above: John Rennie, Master of Ceremonies at the 2014 Annual Campaign Victory Celebration
At Vanderbilt’s 2014 Annual Campaign Victory Celebration, Master of Ceremonies, John Rennie dazzled the crowd as we celebrated our many successes. The YMCA Annual Campaign offers transformative programs in teen leadership, afterschool learning, work readiness, cultural assimilation and international exchange for young New Yorkers. John has been part of the Vanderbilt Y family for more than 20 years, and is one of the longtime loyal members of our Kenshikai Karate program, in which he is a fifth-degree black belt. PLEASE GIVE TODAY AT YMCANYC.ORG/GIVE
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Preschool Kids Night Out (Ages 2-4) Friday, August 1, 2014 6:00-9:00 PM
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School Age Kids Night Out (Ages 5-11) Friday, August 8, 2014 6:00-9:00 PM
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Family Movie Trip Saturday, August 23, 2014 1:00PM at Vanderbilt
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July, 2014
Vanderbilt’s 2014 Pre-K Class Graduates
Harvard Researcher, Emily Weinstein Works With Vanderbilt’s Teens
From right to left: Head Teacher, Kim Meyers and Assistant Teacher, Rachel Christian bestow diplomas at the Early Childhood Pre-K Graduation
As the school year came to a close, the Vanderbilt Y celebrated its graduating Pre-K class. Vanderbilt’s Early Childhood Program provides a nurturing environment where children’s natural curiosity is a springboard to learning skills that are necessary for success in elementary school. The ceremony, held in Studio C, was an afternoon to remember. The pre-kindergardeners serenaded the audience while Vanderbilt’s Lou Gallo accompanied on guitar. After the peformance, the students got ready for their graduation ceremony by donning their caps and gowns. As they took the stage, Head Teacher Kim Meyers and Assistant Teacher, Rachel Christian handed out diplomas to the proud graduates.
Congratulations to all of our 2014 Pre-K graduates!
Harvard Researcher, Emily Weinstein meets with teens from Vanderbilt’s Leaders Club
On June 10th, in conjunction with Harvard University and Common Sense Media, the Vanderbilt YMCA Leaders Club hosted a focus group related to “Teen Digital Life.” Leaders Club is a nationally recognized core YMCA teen program that provides participants with opportunities for leadership training, personal growth, service to others and social development. Teens meet on a weekly basis in small groups to work closely with their peers and adult advisor on skill and character building activities, as well as planning and organizing projects with an emphasis on educational success, community service and goal-setting. Harvard researcher, Emily Weinstein learned about teen digital experiences and how adults in their lives can better understand and support them. Digital lives include everything from texting and cell phones to experiences with social media and other apps. The Leaders Club members were very engaged and shared critical information that will surely serve as a constructive resource for Emily’s important work.
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