COMMUNITY NEWS 2015: ISSUE 3
TAKING AIM
SHARON GREENBERGER LOOKS TOWARD THE FUTURE AS THE YMCA’S NEW PRESIDENT & CEO
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fter years of being a member at the Park Slope Armory Y, Sharon Greenberger is stretching her reach – in July she became the 10th President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York. Ms. Greenberger brings to the Y 20 years of experience in urban planning, development and education in New York City. Having served as the Senior Vice President of Facilities and Real (below) State Senator Joseph Addabbo and Sharon Greenberger touring the Rockaway Y.
Estate at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, as well as Chief Operating Officer for the New York City Department of Education, she is well-versed in managing operations,
TAKING AIM
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STEM TO STERN
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GOLDEN YEARS
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SUMMER FUN
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INSPIRED BY GREATNESS
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TAKE US OUT TO THE BALLGAME! GROWING TOGETHER OH THE PLACES YOU’LL GO
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capital projects, and programmatic vision. In her first few weeks Ms. Greenberger was busy connecting with communities as she visited YMCAs throughout the city. Whether talking with Y members and program participants or meeting with board members and elected officials, Ms. Greenberger has set her sights on knowing the Y inside and out and taking Y programs to new levels. • Sharon Greenberger brushing up on her archery skills and sharing a laugh with campers in Orange County, NY.
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New YMCA President & CEO Sharon Greenberger (center) joins in for a fun moment at the Rockaway Y day camp (adults, l to r): Eugene Shvartsman – Office of Assembly Member Phil Goldfeder; Lisa George – Office of State Senator James Sanders; Y staff member Erik Raney; Council Member Donovan Richards; Rockaway Y Executive Director Rick Hopkins; Franck Joseph – Office of Council Member Richards; Assembly Member Michele Titus; Mitch Noel – Office of Council Member Richards; Jon Greenfield – Office of Assembly Member Goldfeder; and Y staff member Tiffany Lee. Visitors enjoy Camp Pouch on Staten Island (adults, l to r) Jacqueline Luciano - Office of State Senator Andrew Lanza; Ariana Borrero - Office of Senator Lanza; Joseph Collini - Office of Senator Lanza; Giuseppe Deserio - Office of Congressman Dan Donovan; William Matarazzo - Office of Senator Lanza; Sharon Greenberger; South Shore Y Executive Director Thomas Swanciger; Assembly Member Michael Cusick; and Y staff member Robert Palmeri.
STEM TO STERN
GREENPOINT TEENS ENGAGE IN COMPREHENSIVE SUMMER STEM PROGRAM
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igh school students at the Greenpoint Y experienced six weeks of intense environmental science education through the Greenpoint Y SYSTEM (Summer Youth in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program. A collaboration between the Y and NYU Wallerstein Collaborative for Urban Environmental Education, the program is supported by ExxonMobil and Broadway Stages. The Greenpoint Y SYSTEM teaches students about environmental science, green technology, engineering and community engagement through a wide array of experiments and trips. Projects ranged from air quality monitoring to green roofs to composting to tree identification. At the end of the program, students proudly presented their projects to Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Diana Reyna and Assembly Member Joseph Lentol. Energized by the experience, all participants stated that they are eager to pursue further STEM learning and career opportunities. • (top, l to r) Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Diana Reyna at the Green Roof Station with participants Rebeca Paredes and Tatiana Garcia. (bottom) Assembly Member Joseph Lentol (center) with SYSTEM teens and Y staff member, Tanya Mejia.
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2015: ISSUE 3
GOLDEN YEARS
SENIORS MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YMCA SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE CITY
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he YMCA of Greater New York serves some 20,000 seniors throughout the year, often through fun recreational activities that help them manage their health and enjoy more quality time with their families and friends. Senior members stay active with swimming, water aerobics, chair aerobics, arthritis workouts, tai chi, and yoga classes. Additionally, the Y runs special senior programs around the city with
support from elected officials. In the Bronx, Council Member Annabel Palma supports the Y’s programs at the Glebe Senior Center. In Brooklyn, Council Member Robert Cornegy helps Y members from Bedford-Stuyvesant attend the Empire State Senior Games, and Council Member Jumaane Williams supports senior fitness programs in Flatbush. •
(top left) Senior weight training at the Staten Island Broadway YMCA. (top right) State Senator Rubén Díaz, Sr. celebrates Senior Day at the Bronx YMCA with Executive Director Sharlene Brown. (bottom left) Swimming class at the Chinatown YMCA. (bottom right) Seniors in Flatbush work out at their own pace.
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SUMMER FUN
CREATING UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES FOR CAMPERS THROUGHOUT THE CITY
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he Y camps served up an amazing summer to approximately 12,000 children, nearly 4,000 of which attended free of charge with support from the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development. Campers gathered at schools and YMCAs in all corners of NYC, and at the Y’s idyllic 1,000+ acre camp in Orange County, NY to enjoy a wide range of activities—
from reading games to swimming to field trips to healthy eating workshops. One area of focus across camps was STEM, with staff using resources from NY Hall of Science, PBS’ Cyberchase, and Developmental Studies Center’s KidzMath to introduce young people to technical fields, spur their interest, and show them that they can transcend socioeconomic barriers to have rewarding futures.
The end result? An unforgettable experience that had kids begging parents to let them sign up for one more week. •
(above) Mr. Met makes a special visit to Dodge YMCA day camp at PS 261. (upper right) Campers at the Coney Island YMCA get silly with Congressman Hakeem Jeffries and Executive Director Sam Moore. (right) Food Network star Chef Daisy Martinez visits the Bronx YMCA’s Summer Food and Fun program at PS 154. (right) State Senator Tony Avella visits campers at the Cross Island YMCA in Queens. (below) Assembly Member Michele Titus taking in artwork and (bottom) State Senator Joseph Addabbo preparing for a perfect spiral at the Rockaway Y day camp.
(above) State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky tours the Flushing YMCA Summer Camp. (left) Volunteers from JPMorgan Chase engage campers in fun reading activities at PS 126 in Chinatown.
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2015: ISSUE 3
INSPIRED BY GREATNESS DODGE AWARD DINNER RAISES $1.3 MILLION FOR Y PROGRAMS
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ore than 550 friends of the Y gathered at Cipriani 42nd Street as the Dodge Award was presented to Robert “Bob” C. Lieber, Executive Managing Director of C-III Capital Partners and former Deputy Mayor for Economic Development. As Vice Chair of the YMCA’s Board of Directors, Bob has epitomized the more than 160-year-old tradition of humanitarian service represented by generations of Dodge family members. Through his professional and volunteer work, Bob has helped many underserved neighborhoods achieve prosperity, and his leadership was instrumental in the opening of new Y’s in Coney Island and the Rockaways.
New York anchor Lynda Baquero served as the evening’s Mistress of Ceremonies, and guests were treated to a special musical performance courtesy of multi-platinum recording artist and actress Vanessa Williams. • Several members of the YMCA of Greater New York’s Board of Directors join the celebration (l to r) Jack Lund, former YMCA President and CEO; Dan Doctoroff, Chairman, Here for Good Campaign; Robert Lieber, 2015 Dodge Award Honoree; Sharon Greenberger, YMCA President and CEO; Vanessa Williams, Singer/ Actress; Sandie O’Connor, Vice Chair; Sal Maglietta, Chair; Janice Reals Ellig, Emeritus Board; and Chris Blunt, Vice Chair. Scholarship recipients with Sal Maglietta (l to r): Tenaja Smith-Butler, Victoria Williams, Cindy Chu, and Samrawit Solomon.
(above) Robert Lieber dons a Y sweatshirt to receive the 2015 Dodge Award.
More than $1.3 million was raised to support the Y’s transformative programs in youth development, diabetes prevention, and college and workforce readiness, which tackle many of the greatest challenges facing the City’s children and families. NBC4
TAKE US OUT TO THE BALLGAME! THE Y TEAMS UP WITH METS AND CITI FIELD TO SUPPORT YOUTH PROGRAMS
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he summer of 2015 was a home run for over 300 kids and staff from the Cross Island, Dodge, Flushing and Jamaica YMCAs who were all treated to a day at Citi Field® courtesy of Citi Kids®! Not only did campers get a tour of the stadium by Jackie Robinson scholars, they were inspired to eat well, aim high and persevere against adversity during talks by Celebrity Chef and Restauranteur Marcus Samuelsson and Retired Army Captain Leslie Nicole Smith. Both Samuelsson and Smith spoke to the kids about overcoming life obstacles and participated in a Q&A portion emceed by SportsNet New York anchor Michelle Yu.
campers a once-in-a-lifetime experience on and off the field. As part of the program, the Y receives $2,000 every time a Met hits a home run on designated days throughout the summer, netting programs over $30,000 in the 2015 season. Moreover, through October 16, all Citi Bike rides across the five boroughs will help the Y, along with fellow organizations No Kid Hungry and the American Red Cross, earn up to $50,000 in donations through ridership challenges under the Citi Bike® for Good program. The Y is grateful to Citi and the Mets for their ongoing support for creative programs in the communities we serve. •
Citi’s generosity extends beyond giving our
(right) Campers and Retired Army Captain Leslie Nicole Smith at Citi Field. 5
GROWING
THE Y AND ITS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE A RAY OF HOPE Former NFL Star Ray Lucas (center) delivered a powerful speech at the YMCA Counseling Service’s 35th Anniversary Brunch. Over 600 people listened as Ray shared his personal story of addiction and recovery. Ray was joined at the event by (l to r) Senior Executive Director Anita Harvey, Counseling Services Executive Director Jacqueline Filis, YMCA President & CEO Sharon Greenberger, and event chairs Gloria O’Donnell and John Merlino. READING TAKES FLIGHT Volunteers from Delta stopped in at the Flushing YMCA to read with small groups of children.
SHAPING UP IN THE SAND This summer the Coney Island YMCA hosted weekly Summer Session Boardwalk Workouts, featuring popular classes such as yoga and Caribbean dance.
HEALTHY LIVING Nicole Tucker of GrowNYC (left) and Council Member Rafael Espinal visited staff at the North Brooklyn YMCA for an informative chat. STRUGGLE FOR SUMMER Council Member Mathieu Eugene joined members of the Y and nearly 100 protestors to successfully call upon the City Council to restore funding for summer enhancement slots at Beacon, Cornerstone, and middle school programs.
PROVE IT Campers at the Prospect Park YMCA challenged Mayor Bill de Blasio to prove he was who he claimed after running into him at the Y. The mayor obliged and then posed for a quick photo. CHECKING IN State Senator Jeff Klein (with Bronx YMCA Executive Director Sharlene Brown) visited the Bronx YMCA to present a check for $200,000 to support youth programs in the Bronx and Brooklyn.
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ONE OF US State Senator Bill Perkins, Assembly Member Guillermo Linares, Assembly Member Luis Sepulveda, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, and Mayor Bill de Blasio held up their municipal IDs at a press conference celebrating the first six months of IDNYC, of which the YMCA of Greater New York is a founding partner.
2015: ISSUE 3
TOGETHER
PARTNERS DEEPEN IMPACT IN COMMUNITIES LET’S MOVE! OUTSIDE As part of the Department of Interior’s youth initiative in 50 cities, the YMCA of Greater New York convened a summit with representatives from New York Cares, New York Restoration Project, NYC Service, Prospect Park Alliance, US Geological Survey, and more to discuss service projects in public parks. New York City Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver and NYC Regional Director Leslie Wright of NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation spoke about the value of working together.
Photo credit: CUNY Citizenship Now!
Photo credit: Office of Senator Toby Ann Stavisky FUTURE CITIZENS The Flushing YMCA hosted the CUNY Now! Fair, where 38 volunteers provided assistance to New Americans applying for citizenship. Co-sponsored by Assembly Member Ron Kim (above, on left), State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (second to right), and Council Member Peter Koo (right), the event and subsequent follow up served 200 people.
A FRESH START Council Members Mathieu Eugene (top) and I. Daneek Miller (bottom) visit the YouthBuild program to hear from participants and emphasize how important they are to the Southeast Queens community. CLEARING OUT THE CABINETS The Staten Island YMCA Counseling Services is combatting drug abuse alongside Borough President James Oddo (center), the Department of Education, the New York Police Department, and other organizations. A new initiative encourages residents to bring unused or outdated medications to their nearest NYPD precinct. (with Oddo, l to r) District 31 Superintendent Anthony Lodico; Adrienne Abbate, Executive Director of Staten Island Partnership for Community Wellness and the Project Director for Tackling Youth Substance Abuse; Jacqueline Filis, Counseling Services Executive Director; and NYPD Assistant Chief Edward Delatorre. 7
YMCA of Greater New York 5 West 63rd Street, 6th Floor New York, NY 10023 212 630 9600 ymcanyc.org
OH THE PLACES YOU’LL GO THE Y’S GLOBAL TEENS PROGRAM SENDS NYC YOUTH TO THE WEST COAST
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YC teens experience the wonders of nature at Yosemite National Park in California and Olympic National Park in Washington, as part of the Y’s Global Teens program. Building on the leadership skills of teens already actively engaged in YMCA youth programs, the competitive program empowers youth to learn about and address relevant social issues of local and global magnitude. This experience was made possible with the generous support of the New York Community Trust/Carole Stupell Travel Award Program, The Countess Moira Foundation, and Delta Air Lines, Inc.
This year’s trips were focused on the environment, with teens discussing a range of topics such as habitat restoration, local sustainable farming, deforestation, food waste, energy use, water pollution, biodiversity, and more. Teens returned to NYC ready to address some of these issues at the local level. In addition to leading efforts at their local Y’s, teens may connect with service projects at national parks and other public lands through the Let’s Move! Outside initiative, a Department of Interior initiative being supported by the YMCA of Greater New York. •
Teens exploring Sequoia Grove in Yosemite National Park.