COMMUNITY NEWS 2019: ISSUE 1
SHOWING UP
EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS
SHOWING UP
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GENERATION ASPIRATION
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ONWARD AND UPWARD
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GOING SWIMMINGLY
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IT TAKES A VILLAGE
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FAMILY FIRST 8
AT&T GIVES $1M TO THE Y’S ROWE SCHOLARS PROGRAM AND SUPPORTS ONLINE SAFETY
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T&T has been showing up for New York City youth—first by contributing $1 million to enable the Y to expand its successful Rowe Scholars program, which supports youth from underserved communities as they prepare for college, and then by launching an online safety pilot program for youth. To celebrate the contribution, more than 20 high school seniors in the program, State Senators Brad Hoylman and Brian Benjamin, President, AT&T Northern Region Marissa Shorenstein, and YMCA of Greater New York President and CEO Sharon Greenberger came together
as the students submitted their college application materials. The expanded Rowe Scholars program will provide alumni services to graduating students to ensure they matriculate in the fall, successfully complete their freshman year, and persist to their second year. The online safety program, ScreenReady℠, will help adults install safeguards on mobile devices to prevent youth from engaging in risky behaviors without their parents’ knowledge. The program is supported by Common Sense, No Bully, the Tyler Clementi Foundation, and the YMCA of Greater New York. •
NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson discusses the importance of cultivating a positive online presence.
(l) State Senators Brad Hoylman and Brian Benjamin encourage Rowe Scholars participants; (r) YMCA President and CEO Sharon Greenberger and CEO of AT&T Communications John Donovan discuss the ways businesses can be proactive about addressing social needs. 1
EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS THE Y TEAMS UP WITH PARTNERS TO SPUR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
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s part of its mission to “strengthen community,” in 2018, Y partners, staff, and volunteers registered more than 220 voters and handed out more than 100 additional voter registration forms during Student Voter Registration Day, August registration events, and National Voter Registration Day. While partners like the League of Women Voters provided staff trainings and led registration efforts at several sites, a range of other partners contributed to the efforts, including: Alliance for Coney Island, NYC Board of Elections, Brooklyn Voters Alliance, Dominicanos USA, Engage Jewish Service Corps (a program of the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan), LatinoJustice, Office of Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato, and Pi Kappa Omega Chapter of AKA. The Y also created and shared voter education materials for the elections, and partnered with Tech:NYC to create two Get Out the Vote challenges. The YMCAs with the highest rate of “I Voted” sticker selfies on social media and the highest rate of stickers collected won community parties to celebrate members’ commitment to civic engagement. •
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Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray join a staff member at the Prospect Park Y to show off their “I Voted” stickers on Election Day.
2019: ISSUE 1
GENERATION ASPIRATION Y AFTERSCHOOL EMPOWERS KIDS TO DREAM BIG
Council Member Barry Grodenchik spends quality time with Y Afterschool participants at P.S. 26.
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uch is made of naming and describing different generations, but at the Y, year after year we see the same trends—young people eager to soak up new experiences and realize their potential. At Y Afterschool, every kid belongs to Generation Aspiration. Day after day, more than 7,500 students across the city show up to improve their reading and math skills, do hands-on STEM activities, explore their creative sides, practice new sports and games, and showcase the Y’s core values: respect, caring, honesty, and responsibility. In fact, many adults could also be considered part of this “generation.” Young counselors develop new workplace skills while parents fulfill their workday goals, comfortable with the knowledge that their children are safe and engaged. Y Afterschool has many partners in realizing these dreams. The program receives support from the New York City Council, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, Hagedorn Fund, Heisman Trophy
“Both counselors and students are given opportunities to come out of their shell, discover new things they are passionate about, try something new for the first time, and learn new skills.” – Jessica Diaz, Program Supervisor, P.S. 33
Trust, Imperial Dade, Macy’s, The Neuberger Berman Foundation, Adolph and Ruth Schnurmacher Foundation, Inc., The South Wind Foundation, Walton Family Foundation, and Wells Fargo Foundation, as well as attendees at the Y’s annual Arts & Letters Reception. This school year, over 400 community philanthropists, business leaders, and Y supporters raised nearly $620,000 for afterschool programming, while celebrating honorees (pictured with Y President and CEO Sharon Greenberger
above l to r: Michael Law, Executive Vice President & Managing Director, US Media Investment, Dentsu Aegis Network; Katrina Adams, Chairman of the Board and President, United States Tennis Association; and Neil Mulcahy, Executive Vice President of Ad Sales, Fox Networks Group.) •
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ONWARD AND UPWARD HISPANIC ACHIEVERS EVENT CELEBRATES LOCAL LEADERS
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ow in its fourth year, the Y’s Hispanic Achievers Reception serves as an important platform for identifying, inspiring, and developing the city’s next generation of Hispanic achievers. The fall event raised nearly $170,000 for the Y’s Rowe Scholars Program to assist young New Yorkers on their path toward college. The Y presented the Outstanding Leadership Award to (below, l to r) Casey Santos, Chief Information Officer, General Atlantic; Rick Gomez, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Target; and Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, President, Queens College. Two Y Rowe Scholars were also honored with college scholarships (below right): Arstides (AJ) Ulloa of the Bronx YMCA and Maria Bonilla of the McBurney YMCA. Both student honorees are connected to the arts, and Maria recently had a piece of art on display at the Museum of Modern Art.
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The event also recognized the following Corporate Hispanic Achievers (above, l to r): Ivan Sandoval, Vice President, Chief of Legal Affairs, Latin American, Global Legal Organization, ColgatePalmolive Company; Angeli Elliot, HCM Cloud Initiative, Change Management Executive, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.; Michel Brousset, President, L’Oreal
Consumer Products Division North America; Carlos Ruiz Rabago, Senior Vice President, Technical Director, NA Manufacturing Operations Americans, L’Oreal; and Theresa Riva, Senior Business Manager, George Washington Bridge and Bus Station, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. •
2019: ISSUE 1
GOING SWIMMINGLY
SECOND GRADERS GIVE CITY-FUNDED Y SWIM LESSONS AN A+
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cross the city the Y partners with public schools to bring second graders to their local Y for 10 weeks of life-saving swim classes. The Second Grade Swim program, which is supported by the New York City Council, individual members such as Council Members Margaret Chin and Brad Lander, YMCA of the USA and private donors, helps hundreds of public school students make their way through a scientifically-based curriculum during the academic year. Participants can’t stop raving about their new skills. •
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IT TAKES THE Y AND ITS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
HONORING A KING Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer spoke to Y teens as they gathered on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to explore how to advocate for the causes they believe in.
OH WHAT FUN! In celebration of the holiday season, JCPenney and Grammy-nominated pop star Joe Jonas teamed up to host a private shopping event at JCPenney in the Manhattan Mall for afterschool and teen participants from the Chinatown, Long Island City, North Brooklyn, and Vanderbilt YMCAs. PLEDGING ALLEGIANCE The Prospect Park Y was thrilled to honor six of the 17 New Americans Welcome Center students that became U.S. Citizens last year, and celebrated their achievement with Council Member Brad Lander. LEVEL UP The Y supported Antonia Pantoja Preparatory Academy in participating in College Application Week, during which every single senior completed a college application. Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr. spoke to students about striving for greatness and accompanied seniors to the post office to mail their applications.
SAFER NEIGHBORHOODS Former Ridgewood Y Executive Director La-Vena Francis celebrated the rollout of a community policing initiative with (l to r) Council Member Robert Holden, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, and NYC Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill. WE’VE GOT SPIRIT The Chinatown Y hosted its Annual Spirit Awards Gala, where more than 250 community members gathered to recognize those who have made significant contributions in improving lives in Lower Manhattan. (above, l to r) Janet Martinez, Jamaica Y Healthy Lifestyle Director; Michael Keller, Chinatown Y Executive Director; Honoree Mark Ricca, CEO/President of Municipal Credit Union and Chinatown Y Board Member; Honoree Victoria Cabanos, Managing Principal Stuart‑Lynn Company and Chinatown Y Board Member; Honoree Nancy Chan, Sr. Project Manager, Mega Contractng Group LLC; and Sharon Greenberger, YMCA President and CEO. (above, l to r) Chinatown YMCA Board of Managers (back row, l to r): Gail Quan, Peter Chiu, Terri Ann Smith, Peter Fu, Katherine Long, Jacob Cohen, Kenneth Ma, (front row, l to r) Chinatown Y Executive Director Michael Keller, William Lee, Ryan Chan, Mark Ricca, and Brandon Kim. 6
2019: ISSUE 1
A VILLAGE
PARTNERS DEEPEN IMPACT IN COMMUNITIES
A TASTE FOR COMMUNITY The Ridgewood Y celebrated its annual Taste of Ridgewood event, where it raised funds for community programming and celebrated with special guests such as (l to r) then Ridgewood Y Executive Director La-Vena Francis, State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., board member Dr. Matthew Ackert (front), board member Amr Hassan (back), board member Peter DeLucia, board member Edward Allie, honoree & CEO of Riseboro Community Partnership Scott Short, and board member Zachariah Hennessey. (photo courtesy of Karl Mischler Jr.)
NEW BEGINNING The Chinatown Y celebrated the Lunar New Year with an exciting lion dance by the United East Athletic Association Lion Dance Club and a special visit from State Senator Brian Kavanagh (pictured here with Chinatown Y Executive Director Michael Keller, Chinatown staff member Chi Yung, YMCA VP of Operations Elizabeth Toledo‑Cruz, board member Peter Fu, and board chair Ryan Chan.
GREENPOINT GOODNESS Over 175 people gathered to celebrate the Greenpoint Y’s 3rd Annual Spirit of Community Service Awards Dinner, including: (back row, l to r) Tony Argento, Hernando Paez, Greenpoint Y Executive Director Kendall Charter, Talia Engelmeyer, Debbie Hootam, Monica Holowacz, Police Officer Rivera, Dawn Whitbeck, Captain William Glynn, Donald Minerva (2018 Honoree), Assembly Member Joe Lentol (2018 Honoree), Anthony Fong, Martha Holstein (2018 Honoree), Nanyamka Scott, Gina Argento, YMCA President and CEO Sharon Greenberger, Michael Kawochka, Congress Member Carolyn Maloney, Darryl Hollon, Miriam SyGorski, Rad Suchowolak, Aki Ashe, Roseanne Antonucci, (front row, l to r) Frank Carbone, afterschool participants, and Reverend Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello.
ONE LOVE The Bronx Y held its 4th Annual Community Extravaganza to give neighbors— both immigrants and U.S. born residents—a chance to get to know one another and honor what unites the community. Special guests State Senator Luis Sepúlveda and Assembly Member Karines Reyes joined New Americans Welcome Center Director Selenie Villar and Bronx Y Executive Director Sharlene Brown to celebrate.
ON THE PATH State Senator Kevin Parker (pictured here with CUNY Now! Event Manager Ebony Mason, CUNY Event Planning Assistant Stacey Halley, New Americans Program Director Lorna Blancaflor, and CUNY Now! Managing Attorney City Council Services Stephanie Delia), along with Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte and Council Member Jumaane Williams, sponsored a free citizenship workshop at the Flatbush Y in collaboration with the City University of New York’s legal assistance group, CUNY Citizenship Now. 7
YMCA of Greater New York 5 West 63rd Street, 6th Floor New York, NY 10023 212 630 9600 ymcanyc.org
FAMILY FIRST
THE Y SPARKS INTERGENERATIONAL FUN AND LEARNING
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amilies are at the heart of the Y’s work in communities. Across the city, the Y seeks out ways to connect families with enriching activities and supportive services, and to partner with parents to nurture each child’s mind, body, and spirit. Some activities are designed to help families bond over shared memories. For instance, each YMCA facility offers a range of fun and active family programming, from swim/movie events to family indoor play to family workouts. At some Y Afterschool sites the Y has partnered with school leadership to host father-daughter dances and Mother’s Day tea parties.
Other activities are focused on engaging parents as their children’s first and most important teachers. For example, at the Y’s city-funded afterschool program at Talented and Gifted Young Scholars in Manhattan, staff convene a monthly parent advisory board meeting where parents
Dads and daughters from the Jamaica Y’s afterschool program at P.S. 48 enjoy a special night out together.
provide feedback on programs, suggest new activities, and foster a stronger connection between the afterschool program and the school’s Parent Teacher Association. •