COMMUNITY NEWS NYC MEETS PUERTO RICO
2024: ISSUE 1 NYC MEETS PUERTO RICO
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WOMEN WITH A VISION
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THE DIGITAL AGE
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AIMING HIGH
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THE GIVING SEASON
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IT TAKES A VILLAGE
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LIFE LESSONS
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Y HOSTS PANEL AND SERVICE EVENT AT SOMOS CONFERENCE
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or the second year in a row, the YMCA of Greater New York hosted an event at the SOMOS Conference in Puerto Rico. The Y brought together over 100 people to hear from panelists about drowning prevention and access to swimming, with moderation by Council Member Kevin Riley and YMCA President and CEO Sharon Greenberger. The Y then collaborated with the San Juan - Puerto Rico YMCA on a day of
service. Approximately 20 volunteers worked on a community garden, painted, helped enroll participants in a program for people with Parkinson’s disease, and read stories and led sing-alongs in early childhood classes. Volunteers included Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie, State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey, Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson, staff from Delta Airlines, Good Shepherd Services, and Children’s Aid, and the
intergovernmental team from Madison Square Garden. The Y also joined nearly 30 organizations and the New York State Assembly APA Taskforce to support a reception by the Chinese-American Planning Council that uplifted the Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.•
(top) YMCA President and CEO Sharon Greenberger and Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie spend quality time in the early childhood center at the San Juan - Puerto Rico YMCA. (bottom, l to r) YMCA President and CEO Sharon Greenberger, Assembly Member Catalina Cruz, Children’s Aid NYC Executive Vice President Sandra Escamilla-Davies, Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, NYC Parks Bronx Borough Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, G. Bailey, State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey, and Council Member Kevin Riley.
(clockwise, from upper left) YMCA Vice President of Government Relations Michael Rivadeneyra, San Juan YMCA External Resources Manager Patricia Negrón Busquets, San Juan YMCA Executive Director Mabel Román Padró, and YMCA President and CEO Sharon Greenberger; Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson and a fellow volunteer help out with some gardening; State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey and his daughters help refresh some paint; and Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado addresses the crowd.
WOMEN WITH A VISION BUSINESS LEADERS SHARE AT ANNUAL Y LUNCHEON
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he Y’s annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon is dedicated to the empowerment of young women and girls participating in the Y’s youth programs. The 2023 luncheon featured special guest Aurora James in conversation with Y Board Member Karis Durmer, both of whom are visionaries in the fashion business. James shared her experience creating luxury accessories brand Brother Vellies, founding the (l to r) YMCA of Greater New York Board Chair Sandie O’Connor, Aurora James, Founder of Brother Vellies & Fifteen Percent Pledge; YMCA Board Members Karis Durmer and Hildy Kuryk, and Y Alumna Speaker Zakhro Kakhramonova.
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WE’RE HERE FOR ALL NEW YORKERS –
to empower youth, improve health, and strengthen community.
non-profit Fifteen Percent Pledge – an organization advocating for retailers to pledge at least fifteen percent of their shelf-space to Black-owned businesses – and publishing her memoir, Wildflower. Durmer discussed her career in luxury fashion as CEO at Altuzarra, which she led for over eight years, her experience serving as CEO of the Americas at Scotch & Soda, and her recent appointment as President of Versace Americas.
Proceeds raised at the Women’s Leadership Luncheon support the personal and professional growth of young women and girls who participate in the Y’s youth leadership and college readiness programs. As part of our mission, the Y serves students from disadvantaged economic backgrounds who otherwise might not have access to high-quality enrichment programs.•
THE DIGITAL AGE
AT&T PROVIDES LAPTOPS AND SUPPORT FOR OLDER ADULTS
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T&T donated $75,000 to the Y’s digital literacy program, which started at the Northeast Bronx Y in order to equip older adults with essential skills for navigating the digital landscape, such as using computers, accessing websites, and utilizing email. The announcement of AT&T’s support came at a surprise laptop giveaway during a class at the Northeast Bronx Y. AT&T plans additional giveaways as the Y scales the digital literacy program to all Bronx YMCA branches (Castle Hill and La Central Ys) in the
coming months. This support will allow the Y to incorporate laptop distribution as an essential component for future participants of the digital literacy program. “Connected devices allow older adults freedom, convenience, and communication, and it is important that they have the resources to enjoy technology safely and effectively. The YMCA’s dedicated efforts are doing just that,” said John Emra, President, AT&T Atlantic Region, and YMCA of Greater New York board member.•
AIMING HIGH THE Y CELEBRATES HISPANIC ACHIEVERS
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he Y celebrated the Latinx community at the Hispanic Achievers Awards, a joint partnership between the YMCA of Greater New York and Colgate-Palmolive. This annual event serves to recognize, celebrate and elevate excellence in corporate and community leadership
by outstanding Latinx individuals in business and public service. Funds raised empower Hispanic youth to achieve educational goals and attend college; they help working families to maintain jobs through reliable childcare; and they provide essential community support networks that so many families need today. This initiative also provides
college scholarships of $2,500 for two outstanding young Hispanic Scholars participating in the Y’s life-changing college access program known as Rowe Scholars, which serves predominantly Hispanic and Black youth, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college.•
(left) Juan Pablo Zamorano, Miriam Simon, Angelica Tamayo-Sanchez, Sulma Arzu-Brown (honoree), Susie Jaramillo (honoree), Grace C. Bonilla (honoree), Patricia Maribona McCarthy, Daniel Debord, Nancy Santiago, (front row) Gonzalo Canteros Paz, Aston Flores, Richard “Crazy Legs” Colon (honoree). (right) Honoree Susie Jaramillo (center), Co-Founder & CEO, Encantos, celebrates with the Canticos Crew.
2024 ISSUE 1
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THE GIVING SEASON YMCAS HELP CONNECT COMMUNITIES WITH RESOURCES
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MCAs across the city worked with elected officials and community partners to reach those in need at Thanksgiving and the winter holidays. In the week leading up to Thanksgiving, the Castle Hill, Chinatown, Coney Island, Flatbush, La Central, North Brooklyn, and Northeast Bronx Ys gave away food and turkeys to community members. Altogether, approximately 1,400 turkeys were given out in collaboration with partners such as Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Construction & General Building Laborers’ Local 79, DJ Funkmaster Flex, Grassroots Grocery NYC, NYC Department of Sanitation, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Ruff Ryders, Spectrum, UA3, Zulu Nation, and former Council Member Ari Kagan.
Jamaica Y teens sort through donated toys for children at Brighter Days Urban Resource Institute, a shelter for domestic violence survivors.
Staff at the La Central Y handing out family-sized turkeys. 4
WE’RE HERE FOR ALL NEW YORKERS –
to empower youth, improve health, and strengthen community.
At the Harlem Y, volunteers from Morgan Stanley helped distribute donated coats, gloves, socks, and winter accessories to asylum seekers through the New Americans Initiative and kids and their families from local school, P.S. 175, to help them bundle up this winter. Morgan Stanley’s Global Capital Markets Group is a longtime partner of the Y, with annual volunteer work including Y Community Markets and career events for Y teens.
Castle Hill Y Executive Director Sharlene Brown shares a turkey and supplies with a community member.
Similarly, the Castle Hill and Cross Island Ys partnered with South Bronx Mutual Aid and Bushwick Ayuda Mutua to distribute bags of donated winter coats, gloves, hats, and more to newly arrived migrants with no cold weather clothing. At the La Central Y, a partnership between Wilson Sporting Goods and YUSA brought NFL player Garrett Wilson, WNBA player Kahleah Copper, and players from the Savannah Bananas to share knowledge and smiles with kids and teens. Over 150 youth left the Wilson Gift of Game event with a Y membership and sporting goods. The Rockaway Y hosted a free community baby shower in collaboration with Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers and Cassiah’s Gems. New and expectant families received giveaways and information, as guests such as Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson, District Leader Lisa George, and representatives from the Office of State Senator James Sanders and NYPD Community Affairs from 100th precinct showed support.•
(l to r) Council Member Kevin Riley, Congress Member Jamaal Bowman, State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey, Congress Member Ritchie Torres, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie, YMCA President and CEO Sharon Greenberger, Fidel Malena from the Office of Governor Kathy Hochul, Rodney Capel from Spectrum, and members of Local 79 support the Northeast Bronx Y in distributing turkeys.
Bushwick Ayuda Mutua volunteers Greg Bruno and Gina Tribotti join Cross Island Y staff Faith Miner to collect clothing donations at an afterschool site to be shared with newly arrived migrants.
(l) Volunteers from Morgan Stanley help distribute clothes at the Harlem Y; (above) Volunteers from South Bronx Mutual Aid take coats collected at the Castle Hill Y directly to migrants waiting outside for housing.
(clockwise) NFL player Garret Wilson shares a fun moment with youth at the La Central Y; youth try on and try out their new baseball mitts at the La Central Y; YMCA Vice President of Field Operations La-Vena Francis joins a new mom and District Leader Lisa George.
2024 ISSUE 1
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
THE Y AND ITS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERS DEEPEN IMPACT IN COMMUNITIES
“EVERYBODY CAN BE GREAT BECAUSE EVERYBODY CAN SERVE” Y teens put Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words into action by participating in service learning projects across the city. Teens from several Ys gathered at the Flatbush Y to prepare goodie bags and then delivered them to families living in a homeless shelter. Service projects at other Ys included cleaning up a park, doing a clothing drive for transitional housing residents, helping at an event for blind youth and adults, and volunteering at a soup kitchen. RIDGEWOOD RISES Patrice Francois, Cross Island Y Board Member and Associate Manager of Ridgewood Savings Bank - Hollis, and her colleague Fateha Rahman presented a donation to YMCA VP of Operations La-Vena Francis at the Cross Island Y.
TEE IT UP The Jamaica Y hosted its 9th Annual Charity Golf Tournament, where it honored Council Member Nantasha Williams (pictured with Jamaica Y Board Member Bernard Warren and Cedric Dew, VP of Transitional Housing and the Jamaica YMCA) and Dwayne Jones, CRA Officer at State Bank of India, New York. INVESTING IN STATEN ISLAND Congress Member Nicole Malliotakis, with Broadway Y and South Shore Y Executive Director Meghan Sinback, visited to announced the $1 million in federal funds that she secured to make improvements to Staten Island YMCAs.
EAT THE RAINBOW The Castle Hill Y partnered with NewYork-Presbyterian’s CHALK program to host a nutrition workshop where members heard from Community Nutrition Specialist Ana Rodriguez about how to prepare healthy, tasty meals. 6
WE’RE HERE FOR ALL NEW YORKERS –
to empower youth, improve health, and strengthen community.
CHECKING IN State Senator Jose M. Serrano (with YMCA Vice President of Government Relations Michael Rivadeneyra and La Central Y Senior Program Director Nadia Arroyo) visited the La Central Y to discuss aquatics and other programs. GETTING TO WORK The Rockaway Y partnered with the Metropolitan Transporation Authority to host a the Rockaways Resiliency Project jobs information event for dozens of prospective job seekers.
SMART BUYS The Cross Island Y hosted a Homeowners Benefit Information Session with the Office of Council Member Linda Lee and the NYC Department of Finance, which featured additional support from the Offices of State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky and Assembly Member Edward C. Braunstein.
2024 ISSUE 1
LISTENING IN LIC Council Member Shekar Krishnan talked with Long Island City Y Executive Director Sabrina Snyder about local programs and needs.
GOOD IN GREENPOINT The Greenpoint Y hosted the Spirit of Community service awards dinner, where Congress Member Nydia Velázquez (shown here with Greenpoint Y Executive Director Kendall Charter and Greenpoint Y Board Member Paul Pullo), leadership from Apple Bank, and the team at the Greenpointers blog were honored.
DOLLARS AND CENTS NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli (center, with Assembly Member Kenny Burgos, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, Bronx Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Sorin, Assembly Member Karines Reyes, Council Member Rafael Salamanca and Council Member Althea Stevens) held a press conference at the La Central Y to present an economic report on the South Bronx.
HOOPS AROUND THE WORLD The UN, NYU, Philippine Mission, and Naismith Hall of Fame joined forces for an unforgettable inaugural UN World Basketball Day at the Vanderbilt Y. LISTENING TO COMMUNITY VOICES The Rockaway YMCA hosted Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson’s Community Safety Town Hall in partnership with the Office of the Community Liaison to discuss police use of stop and frisk. 3
YMCA of Greater New York 5 West 63rd Street, 6th Floor New York, NY 10023 212 630 9600 ymcanyc.org
LIFE LESSONS
ELECTED OFFICIALS DISCOVER IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN TO SWIM
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tate Senator Jamaal T. Bailey and Council Member Kevin Riley recently took part in an 8-week course at the Northeast Bronx Y to learn how to swim. In a video shared on the Y’s Instagram, both officials recounted the fear they felt as adult learners and shared how important it is to improve access to swimming pools and lessons, particularly in communities of color. With support from the New York City Council, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and YMCA of the USA, the Y partners with New York City Public Schools to provide free swim lessons in our Second Grade Swim program.•
(top, l to r) State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey, Y swim instructor, and Council Member Kevin Riley get comfortable in the pool; (bottom) Council Member Kevin Riley channels his newfound inner merman. 8
WE’RE HERE FOR ALL NEW YORKERS –
to empower youth, improve health, and strengthen community.
