COMMUNITY NEWS 2017: ISSUE 1
MELTING POT MASTERY
MELTING POT MASTERY
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MOVERS AND SHAKERS
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LIFE LESSONS
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KIDS FIRST
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SPARKING SUCCESS MAGIC HOURS IT TAKES A VILLAGE THE PERSONAL TOUCH
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5 6–7 8
THE Y’S NEW AMERICANS INITIATIVE PROVIDES SKILL-BUILDING AND SUPPORT
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early two out of five New York City residents hail from other countries, and a full 47 percent of the city’s workforce is comprised of immigrants, meaning that services and supports for New Americans remain as essential as they were when the Y first started offering English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) classes in 1918.
Centers, as well as several off-site class locations, the initiative relies on support from the NYS Office for New Americans, the NYS Department of Education, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, NYC Department of Education, Con Edison, Delta Air Lines, Inc., and the Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation.
The Y is committed to providing English, citizen preparation, and computer literacy classes, as well as workshops on financial literacy, domestic violence, workers’ rights, and more, through the New Americans Initiative. Encompassing six full New Americans Welcome
The Y’s New Americans Initiative is part of the Welcoming Week movement, which has celebrated diversity for five years by bringing together immigrant and U.S.-born residents for service projects and other fun events. Over the span of one week last year, the Y hosted seven
events citywide, which included arts projects, a game of Jeopardy! featuring several questions taken from the U.S. citizenship test and the sharing of a “unity” cake. The Y has also collaborated with partners such as The Legal Aid Society, the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, the NYC Commission on Human Rights, and Council Member Debi Rose to host a Know Your Rights Forum covering topics such as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation, and more. •
(left) Y New Americans Initiative staff and participants gather at a Welcoming Week event. (photo courtesy of Newsweek); (right) Council Member Debi Rose and Katherine Carroll of the New York City Human Rights Commission address immigration concerns at a community forum in Staten Island. 1
Commissioner Nisha Agarwal of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs speaks to staff from the Y’s New Americans Initiative at the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. (right) A staff member from the Y’s New Americans Initiative provides citizenship paperwork support to a foreign-born Harlem resident.
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Y TEENS BUILD LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY SKILLS IN TEENS TAKE THE CITY
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ach year hundreds of New York City youth in grades 6 to 12 learn about local government through the Y’s signature civic engagement program, Teens Take the City (TTC). In addition to educating youth about their local elected officials and the roles of different bodies within city government, the program provides them with opportunities to engage in policy debates, take part in community service, and reflect on social issues affecting them and their communities. This year TTC participants had an opportunity to attend an all-day university experience at New York University. Youth participated in a diversity and inclusion workshop before attending “classes” covering historical aspects of race and the criminal justice system, community organizing issues, debate practice, and dimensions of privilege. The program served the dual purpose of empowering students to serve as better-informed community advocates and increasing their level of comfort on a college campus. The Teens Take the City program reaches youth at 27 after school sites, and is organized with support from the New York City Council, Con Edison, the Rose M. Badgeley Residuary Charitable Trust, and Y-USA. •
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2017: ISSUE 1
LIFE LESSONS
THE Y’S SECOND GRADE SWIM PROGRAM TEACHES LIFE-SAVING SKILLS TO YOUNG NEW YORKERS
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MCAs are known for their swimming pools but few people realize those pools host the life-saving Second Grade Swim program, which helps hundreds of public school students become proficient in the water during the academic year. Partnering with schools throughout New York City, the Y hosts classes of second graders during the school day as they progress through a scientifically-based national YMCA curriculum that incorporates personal safety, personal growth, stroke development, water games, and rescue.
this public safety concern with groups of children, capitalizing on the developmental level of second graders to teach advanced skills younger children cannot master. Currently, 18 public schools throughout the five boroughs send children with school personnel to their local Y for 10-week cycles. In FY 2017, the program got a helping
hand when the New York City Council, under the leadership of City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, awarded $50,000 in support, enabling nearly 700 children at schools served by YMCAs across the city to access free swim lessons. Council Members Margaret Chin, Brad Lander, and Mark Treyger, as well as Assembly Member Cathy Nolan, made additional gifts to support the program in their districts. •
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the second most common cause of injuryrelated death for children ages one to 14, and the fifth most common cause for people of all ages. Partnerships with schools enable the Y to address
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KIDS FIRST
THE 16TH ANNUAL ARTS & LETTERS RECEPTION GENERATES SUPPORT FOR Y AFTERSCHOOL
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ore than 500 community philanthropists, business leaders and Y supporters attended the 16th Annual Arts & Letters Reception at Jazz Lincoln Center, contributing over $680,000 in support of Y Afterschool. CNBC reporter Mary Thompson emceed the event, which honored William D. Rueckert, president of the Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation, and Jon Stimmel, chief investment officer of Universal McCann, for their dedication to supporting community programs. Guests enjoyed a musical performance by Patina Miller, a Tony Award-winning actress and singer, and cheered on Carleton E. Gordon and Juliet Beecher, who were awarded Principal of the Year and Site Director of the Year, respectively, for their outstanding dedication to and passion for helping youth in Jamaica, Queens. • (top) (l to r) Toby Byrne; Kris Magel, President, Initiative; Sharon Greenberger, President and CEO, YMCA Greater New York City; Christopher Geraci, President, Video Investment, OMD US; William D. Rueckert, President, Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation, Inc.; (bottom) Initiative President Kris Magel shares a smile with Y Afterschool participant Antoinette Galloway and awardee and chief investment officer of Universal McCann, Jon Stimmel. •
SPARKING SUCCESS
THE Y HOSTS SECOND ANNUAL HISPANIC ACHIEVERS RECEPTION
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ccording to the 2015 American Community Survey, nearly one in three New Yorkers (29 percent) identifies as Hispanic or Latino. In recognition of the important contributions of Hispanic community members, the Y and the ColgatePalmolive Company partnered to host the Second Annual Hispanic Achievers reception at Carnegie Hall. The Reception serves as an important platform for identifying, inspiring and developing the city’s next generation of Hispanic business and civic leaders. Last year’s event raised more than $180,000 for Y mentoring and college access programs for Hispanic teens in under-served communities. • 4
(left) (l to r) Josue Munoz, Vice President, Global Customer Service & Logistics, Colgate-Palmolive Company; Annette Finnegan, West Side Y; Malena Higuera, Global General Manager & US General Manager, Dermablend, L’Oreal; Teresa Lopez, General Manager at Essie, Mizani, L’Oreal Technique, L’Oreal USA; Dr. David Gomez, President, Hostos Community College, CUNY; Lisa Gomez, Partner & Chief Operating Officer, L+M Equity Development Partners; Juan Pablo Zamarano, President, North America Division, Colgate-Palmolive Company; (right) Y Rowe Scholars Linda Taveras (l) and Pacielly Morelo (r) celebrate their new college scholarships. 2017: ISSUE 1
MAGIC HOURS
HOW Y AFTERSCHOOL TRANSFORMS THE HOURS OF 3 TO 6 FOR THOUSANDS OF YOUTH
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here can children go to fly off to visit the North Pole, to host a cooking show with chef Marcus Samuelsson, to fulfill holiday wishes with Today Show host Hoda Kotb, or to buy gifts for their families with Grammy-nominated singer Carly Rae Jepsen?
“
The Y provides a safe haven for
students, minimizing the amount of time they are out on their own. I don’t know how to quantify that benefit, but it does make a real difference that I see as a school
The Y.
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principal.
While the Y’s after school programs are primarily dedicated to providing academic assistance, supporting positive social-emotional development, and instilling the Y’s core values of
– Principal Carleton Gordon Jr., I.S. 059 in Springfield Gardens, Queens
respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring, they always include a healthy dose of fun. Fun is an essential component in keeping over 10,000 after school participants engaged and ensuring that young people at over 70 sites throughout the city choose this enriching environment, even when given other options. In addition to occasionally hobnobbing with celebrities, after school participants take part in field trips, holiday camps, father-daughter dances, multicultural potluck dinners, and more. •
(top left) After school students from the Dodge Y help Today Show host Hoda Kotb distribute toys donated by Toys”R”Us to children and families in need. Additional support for Operation Santa was provided by Papyrus, H&M, and JCPenny. (top right) After school students at P.S. 8 in Brooklyn join the Assistant Commissioner of the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development, Mike Dogan, and the Associate Executive Director for the New York State Network of Success, Alli Lidie, to receive a proclamation from Governor Andrew Cuomo recognizing the Y’s Lights On Afterschool Day, a national day of celebration for afterschool programs. (left) Singer Carly Rae Jepsen and JCPenny hosted after school participants from the Ridgewood Y for a holiday gift-buying spree at the Manhattan Mall. (bottom) After school students from the Flushing Y experience the magic of Christmas with their own “flight” to the North Pole courtesy of Delta Air Lines. Disney star Peyton List joined Santa, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Mr. Met for an all-out celebration.
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IT TAKES A
THE Y AND ITS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SAFETY FIRST Representatives from the NYPD joined Assembly Member Michael Cusick, State Senator Andrew Lanza, Joanne McKernan from the Staten Island YMCA Counseling Services, Delco Drugs and Specialty Pharmacy owner Robert Annicharico, and Richmond County District Attorney Michael McMahon to announce the donation of 10,000 drug deactivation pouches by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. The pouches will allow for the safe disposal of prescription medicines, which are often abused and have contributed to the opioid epidemic on Staten Island.
SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY The Greenpoint Y celebrated its annual “Spirit of Community” Awards Dinner with (above, l to r) NY1 anchor Pat Kiernan, honoree Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Diana Reyna, and Greenpoint Y Board Chair Paul Pullo. Assembly Member Joseph Lentol (right) joined in the festivities. 6
FLUSHING FACELIFT State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky and Assembly Member Ron Kim announced the allocation of $230,000 to renovate the Flushing Y’s lobby. Sharing his personal memories, Assembly Member Kim enthused, “As it did for me in the past, the YMCA continues to have a vital role in fostering youth development and bringing the residents of our neighborhoods together.”
SERVING QUEENS The Flushing Y hosted its 16th Annual Community Service Awards Dinner, with sponsorships from the Queens Tribune, NY Presbyterian Queens, Affinity Health Plan and United Health Care. (above, l to r) Event emcee and Y board member Bob Bishop, Flushing Y Executive Director Jen Silvers, Council Member Peter Koo, honoree and Flushing Y Board Chair and COO of Charles B. Wang Community Health Center Betty Cheng, honoree and publisher of the Queens Tribune Michael Nussbaum, State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Flushing Y board member Kelly Kang, Congress Member Grace Meng, and NY Presbyterian Queens representatives Willa Brody, Ming-der Chang, and Dr. Robert Crupi.
2017: ISSUE 1
VILLAGE
PARTNERS DEEPEN IMPACT IN COMMUNITIES
AN EYE TOWARD THE FUTURE Y staff and officials came together to discuss current programming and the future of the Y in Jamaica, Queens. (l to r) YMCA Senior Vice President of Real Estate & Property Management Joseph Chan; YMCA President & CEO Sharon Greenberger; State Senator Leroy Comrie; Council Member I. Daneek Miller; Aaron Ambrose from the Office of Assembly Member Clyde Vanel; Jamaica YMCA Executive Director Cedric Dew; and YMCA Vice President of Public Affairs Sharon Levy.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE The Chinatown YMCA hosted its 5th Annual Founders’ Award Reception honoring Hong Shing Lee, Executive Director of Chinatown Manpower Project, Christina Seid of Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, and Brandon Kim of Metro Management Group. Lee (above left, center) celebrated with CMP staff and board members (l to r): Alison Yu, Jaey Ahn, Jeffrey Leong, Athena Hom, Genevieve Loomis, Suzanne Goon Mark, Bill Leung, and Debbie Chan, while Seid (above right, second from right) shared her moment with (l to r) Chinatown Y Board Member Gigi Li, Gloria Ng, Nina Vargas, Christina Suen, Karen Lin Su, and Amy Frishberg. 150 guests joined sponsors First American International Bank and Metro Management Group in celebrating the selflessness, dedication, and community service of the honorees. JOYRIDE 200 Bloomberg employees joined Bike NY staffers to build 250 bikes for youth at the Flushing YMCA. Prior to receiving bicycles, children were treated to a class on bike safety, the importance of helmets, and riding techniques. TENNIS, ANYONE? Youth from the Flushing Y took part in the Returning the Love Youth Tennis Clinic during the 2016 US Open. Youth and Elmcor representatives were joined by (l to r) Queens Community Board 4 District Manager Christian Cassagnol, Marin Cilic, Queens Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Thomas Grech, State Assembly Members Margaret Markey and Jeffrion Aubry, Christina McHale, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, Council Member Peter Koo, Queens Chamber of Commerce Manager Brett Swanson, USTA Chairman, CEO and President Katrina Adams, Queens Tourism Council Director Rob MacKay, Flushing Y Executive Director Jen Silvers, and YMCA Vice President of Public Affairs Sharon Levy. (photo courtesy of USTA) 7
YMCA of Greater New York 5 West 63rd Street, 6th Floor New York, NY 10023 212 630 9600 ymcanyc.org
THE PERSONAL TOUCH
THE Y’S YOUTHBUILD PROGRAM PREPARES YOUTH FOR SUCCESS ONE BY ONE
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ach young person entering the Y’s YouthBuild program, which is part of the Jamaica Y Roads Center and is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration and the New York City Council, arrives with a unique set of barriers to overcome. Before they can succeed in one of the four career tracks offered (construction, sports and fitness, early childhood education, and buildings and facilities management), youth must work with staff to create individual success plans that will identify challenges and highlight their strengths. In the case of 22-year-old Chavez Robinson, success was possible only after receiving a formal diagnosis for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Support
from the Y’s mental health counselor and from Quality Services for Autism Community (QSAC) enabled Chavez to move on from 15 years of limited homeschooling and obtain his high school equivalency diploma. He simultaneously trained in construction, achieving his National Center for Construction Education and Research certification, as well as the OSHA-10
safety certification required on any job site. Chavez rounded out his workforce training by participating in leadership and service opportunities through Y Leaders Club, the YouthBuild Policy Committee, and QSAC’s self-advocacy group. Currently, Chavez is working with the Y’s YouthBuild college and career developer to apply for college. •