STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY CASINO ROAD YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER STAKEHOLDER UPDATE
SEPTEMBER 2015
JAINABA MY Y STORY: ACHIEVING MY DREAMS Jainaba presented this speech at the annual My Achievers Program (MAP) Banquet in June:
Hello and good evening everyone. My name is Jainaba. I’m here to share my story—my story of how the YMCA’s MAP Program is a place for me and others who are in this room. I’ve been in this program for three years. I can stand here in front of you more aware of my self-identity, aware about my college and career choices, and of course aware how much fun MAP is with others. Yes, field trips are the best, am I right?
Not knowing how to speak English devastated me because I couldn’t communicate with people, but I understood what they were saying. I wanted to learn how to speak English With the support so badly that I stayed after school I got from MAP, every day to take lessons from my English teacher. I’m achieving my
I grew up in a small country on the western side of Africa, with a polygamy family. My father had three wives and sixteen children. Where I grew up women can’t achieve a higher My life turned around when I moved to dreams. education because we just don’t have Washington State and was introduced the opportunities like in the United States. to the YMCA MAP program at my high school. There I I was looked down on, and everything I did didn’t matter met people from different cultures and backgrounds because I am a woman. Growing up, I never dreamt of that speak other languages other than English. I learned a higher education because I was always told it didn’t to appreciate my uniqueness and the capabilities I have, matter. Marriage was the only thing women were made like speaking five different languages. I made friends for. I thought that was my destiny too. that I would always keep with me and also friends that would always speak their mind and do what they love Looking back on my freshmen year, when I first attended without being ashamed of it. high school in the United States, I was really excited, though I couldn’t speak English. However, walking When I say MAP is like family I really mean it because through the dim hallways hearing students chattering as it’s a family that taught me to be myself. The college I entered my math class with eagerness to learn math, exploration was huge, too. Learning about the college I felt I didn’t belong. Every word that came out of my process and tours are extremely impactful. Because of teacher’s mouth was rapid. I hated being different from the YMCA, next year I plan on going to the University of everyone: the way I looked, dressed, and the languages Washington-Bothell. With the support I got from MAP, I’m achieving my dreams. I spoke.
IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS 88%
Percentage of Horizon Elementary students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.
2,475
Number of meals we’ve served to Casino Road kids since beginning our meal program in summer 2014.
535
Average number of youth who come to the CRYDC each year.
14
Number of MAP participants who’ve gone on to work at the YMCA.
65
Average number of new immigrants who attend English Language or GED classes through the Y each week.
STAFF MESSAGE: THE PAST & FUTURE OF CASINO ROAD Casino Road is, in many ways, a place “in between.” It has an Everett address, but isn’t in Everett proper. It’s in the Mukilteo School District, but no one would confuse it with Mukilteo. Most of our county’s social services, including shelters, are located in Everett, and both our Community Colleges are miles away. In 2008 the Everett Herald described Casino Road as “…a place with a reputation. Drugs, prostitution, and gangs. It’s a place marked by too much violence and too little hope.” With our partner agencies, the Y is transforming Casino Road by providing support to kids, families, and the entire community. In the 2014-2015 school year we began a Meals Program that served nearly 2,500 meals, doubled the number of adult immigrants taking ELL and GED classes with us, and opened our doors seven days a week to more than 500 kids. In all, the YMCA provides over $215,000 in direct financial support to our CRYDC and outreach programs each year. And, the future looks bright. We’re expanding our Adult Basic Education classes, adding a Spanish-Language Play & Learn Group, and recruiting more volunteers to serve meals, to ensure that no child on Casino Road ever goes hungry. With support from people like you, we will continue to provide every child and adult on Casino Road the one thing we all deserve: the chance to live a healthy, productive life. Cory Armstrong-Hoss, Mukilteo YMCA Associate Executive & Alex Costumbrado , CRYDC Director
$595K
Lifetime additional earnings of a college graduate compared to a high school graduate.
8
Active partnerships to open doors for our kids, including 4-H, Robotics, Jr. Achievement, Skate Like a Girl, and Seattle Mountaineers.
$215K
Amount of direct financial support the YMCA provides the CRYDC and outreach programs each year.
I like it [at CRYDC] because kids can get their work done and they can see friends and have fun.
Volunteer GED Professor Miriam Vargas and students from the Monday/ Wednesday GED Class, taught in Spanish.
CALL FOR SUPPORT We need your help! The CRYDC is looking for volunteers to provide child care during English Language and GED classes, serve on the Y’s Casino Road Advisory Group, and give donations of meals, board games, books, and arts and crafts supplies. To donate your time or items, contact Casino Road Youth Development Center Director Alex Costumbrado at acostumbrado@ymca-snoco.org or 425 512 8050.
Casino Road Scholars Director Vonnie Gill tutors a Scholar at Horizon Elementary. Twenty eight 4th and 5th grade Scholars received intensive academic support during the 2014-2015 school year.
Y CASINO ROAD ADVISORY GROUP The Y Casino Road Advisory Group (YCRAG) is made up of dedicated volunteers who guide our work on Casino Road and South Everett. Through committing time, expertise, resources, and connections to the Y, these leaders lay the groundwork for the Y to expand our impact on Casino Road for years to come. CHAIR April Wolfe, The Boeing Company VICE CHAIR George Kosovich, Verdant Health Commission SECRETARY Ruba Alawar, Community MEMBERS John Bruemmer, Everett Community College Lee Howard, Fred Meyer Patricia Martin, Consultant
Youth from our Mariner MAP program join Y leaders on a tour of Amazon’s Bigfoot building in downtown Seattle. MAP participants tour college campuses and local businesses to gain exposure to education and career options.
Kelly Mazzola, Program For Early Parent Support Mark Robb, Horizon Elementary Suzanne Stockel, Community Interested in serving? Contact Cory Armstrong-Hoss at 425 493 2414.
The Casino Road Youth Development Center newsletter is published by the YMCA of Snohomish County to update community members about the center’s programs, news, and events. If you no longer wish to receive this mailing, please contact Cory Armstrong-Hoss at 425 493 2414 or carmstronghoss@ymca-snoco.org. For more information on YMCA programs and services, visit www.ymca-snoco.org. OUR MISSION: To inspire, nurture, and strengthen culturally vibrant communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: The YMCA of Snohomish County makes every effort to ensure that no person, especially youth, will be denied access to programs and membership because of financial hardship. The YMCA’s Financial Assistance Program is supported by contributes to our Annual Campaign and United Way.
CELEBRATING FOUR YEARS OF IMPACT ON CASINO ROAD YMCA OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY Mukilteo Family YMCA 10601 47th Place West Mukilteo, WA 98275
NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID SEATTLE, WA PERMIT NO. 134
IN THIS ISSUE: • MY Y STORY: JAINABA • IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS • STAFF MESSAGE • CALL FOR SUPPORT • CRYDC ADVISORY GROUP • YEAR FOUR CELEBRATION
JOIN US FOR A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION! Your generosity and support help us serve kids and families on Casino Road. Please join us to hear stories of impact, celebrate successes, and hear about the future. United Way CEO Dennis Smith will be our Keynote Speaker. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 5:30-7 pm Children’s Village 14 E. Casino Road, Everett Light appetizers will be served. Program begins at 5:45 pm. Complimentary child care will be available during the celebration. RSVP by September 15 to Merrie Babazadeh at mbabazadeh@ymca-snoco.org or 425 493 2424