TRIANGLE the
spring 2017
Your YMCA at work in the community
HELPING
NEWCOMERS
THRIVE
THE YMCA’S NEW AMERICAN WELCOME CENTER The YMCA of Snohomish County was one of 12 Ys selected in the country to establish New American Welcome Centers as part of a national movement to strengthen services to immigrant and refugee communities. New American Welcome Centers (NAWC) are designed to strengthen immigrant access to vital social services by scaling successful, sustainable Y newcomer inclusion programs and community partnerships. This happens through a blend of direct and referral services, customized programs, community collaborations, and community bridge-building efforts to connect new immigrants and the receiving communities. “Our vision for the New American Welcome Centers is to create a healthier, safer, more connected community by helping immigrants and refugees acquire the education, skills, and resources necessary to build selfsufficient, prosperous lives in the United States,” said Tami Farber, VP of Equity, Advancement and Global Engagement.
Students learn computer skills at the YMCA Casino Road Community Center.
The NAWC model helps to ensure greater equity for immigrant and refugee communities to achieve their full potential and prepares receiving communities to be inclusive through a focus on:
The $40K national grant will be used to provide additional programing and services to immigrants and refugees in Snohomish County.
Language & Education
Classes and currently being held at the YMCA Casino Road Community Center.
Economic Integration & Employment Health & Well-being Citizenship & Civic Engagement Community Development
In this Issue: •
New American Welcome Center
•
President’s Message
•
New Mobile App
•
Swim Lesson Changes
•
Capital Update
•
Preserving the Legacy of the Y
•
Pedaling for Parkinson’s
•
My Y Story
•
Armed Services YMCA
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 contributions to our Annual Campaign and United Way.
Mission Statement: To inspire, nurture, and strengthen culturally vibrant communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
Everett Family Branch 2720 Rockefeller Ave. Everett, WA 98201 425 258 9211
Marysville Family Branch 6420 60th Drive NE Marysville, WA 98270 360 653 9622
Mill Creek Family Branch 13723 Puget Park Drive Everett, WA 98208 425 337 0123
Monroe Family Branch 14033 Fryelands Blvd. Monroe, WA 98272 360 805 1879
Mukilteo Family Branch 10601 47th Place West Mukilteo, WA 98275 425 493 9622
Stanwood-Camano YMCA 7213 267th St. NW Stanwood, WA 98292 360 629 9622
Big Brothers Big Sisters 10520 19th Ave. SE, Ste. B Everett, WA 98208 425 252 2227 The Triangle is published by the YMCA of Snohomish County to update friends and donors about YMCA news and events. Colleen Temple, editor, 425 374 5738 or ctemple@ymca-snoco.org If you wish to be removed from the mailing list, please call or email the editor. For more information on YMCA programs and services, visit www.ymca-snoco.org.
Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/ymcasnoco
Watch us on YouTube: youtube.com/ymcaofsnohomishco
President’s Perspective
Scott Washburn
Dear Friends: At the Y, strengthening communities is our cause, and we are committed to helping all people reach their full potential. We believe the strength and cohesiveness of our communities is linked to the overall prosperity of the nation. With more than 42 million foreign-born individuals living in the United States, it is more important than ever to foster an environment where programs and services are accessible and supportive for all. That’s why we are excited to be selected as one of 12 YMCAs in the nation to participate as a New American Welcome Center. As our organization continues to grow, we have more needs to meet in our community. This year’s Annual Campaign was our most successful in history with a total of $1,552,536 raised. These funds will be provided as financial assistance, strengthening our community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Y has been a leader in providing swim lessons and water safety for more than 100 years. With warmer weather just around the corner, we encourage children and parents in Snohomish County to explore the many benefits of swimming, while also keeping safety top of mind. In Y swim programs, participants can enjoy water sports, enhance or learn new techniques, meet new friends and develop confidence, while also learning safety skills that can save lives. Our YMCA recently made two key changes to its swim lesson program, which you can learn about in this newsletter. For the remainder of this year, we will be working closely with our Boards and volunteers to refresh our Strategic Plan for 2018-20. Our key operating priorities will remain the same: capital development and planning for the new Everett YMCA; growing membership; and building around our work supporting diversity, inclusion, and social justice. We look forward to a busy and exciting year of strengthening community.
OUR MOBILE APP IS CHANGING
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
In order to better serve our members, we have created a new and improved Mobile App. Here is what you need to know: If you already use our YMCA Mobile App, delete the current App from your phone. Download the new Mobile App from either the Apple App Store or the Android Marketplace. The icon for our new App looks like the image here. If you don’t currently use the App, we would encourage you to download it because this way we can alert you of branch issues and schedule changes.
VISIT US AT YMCA-SNOCO.ORG/NEWS FOR MORE DETAILS • • • •
How Patients Are Using Cycling to Slow Down Parkinson’s YMCA’s Effort Will Help County’s New Arrivals Kindness, courage endure two years after devastating accident A Place For All
HELPING YOU LIVE BETTER
PEDALING FOR PARKINSON’S More than one million Americans are living with Parkinson’s disease with nearly 60,000 new diagnoses each year. There is no known cure for the disease, and the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease increases with age. Parkinson’s disease is an incurable, slowly progressive movement disorder caused by the loss of nerve cells in part of the brain that produces the chemical, dopamine, which controls body movements. Symptoms, which develop when about 80% of dopamine has been lost, including tremors, stiffness or slowing of muscle movement, loss of balance, and soft or slurred speech. Symptoms worsen as the disease progresses. PEDALING FOR PARKINSON’S Pedaling a bicycle may change the life of someone with Parkinson’s disease. Research conducted at the Cleveland Clinic showed a 35% reduction in symptoms by the simple act of pedaling a bicycle at a rapid pace - optimally, 8090 revolutions per minute. Fast pedaling is not a cure of Parkinson’s disease and should not be touted as such, but there is compelling evidence to show that it does make a real difference for many who try it. We do know that fast-paced cycling is changing the lives of increasing numbers of participants who, before this, had no hope beyond medication and eventually surgery to slow the progression of their disease. Pedaling for Parkinson’s is offered at the Everett, Marysville, and Mill Creek Family YMCAs. Registration is required prior to starting the class. This is an ongoing program offered at no cost for the first eight weeks. Financial assistance is available and SilverSneakers® and other insurance programs are accepted.
For more information about Pedaling for Parkinson’s, visit YMCA-SNOCO.ORG/PFP or call your local YMCA: Everett Family YMCA 2720 Rockefeller Avenue, Everett, WA 98201 425 374 5703 Gael Gebow Marysville Family YMCA 6420 60th Drive NE, Marysville, WA 98270 360 651 1605 Carrol Bailey Mill Creek Family YMCA 13723 Puget Park Drive, Everett, WA 98208 425 357 3033 Lisa Salsbery
A healthcare provider referral is required to enroll (may be a doctor, registered nurse, or any licensed healthcare provider.) Classes are held in the Cycle Studio on individual stationary bikes.
WHERE DID ALL
THE FISH GO? CHANGES TO Y SWIM LESSONS
As “America’s Swim Instructor,” the Y has been teaching kids how to be safe around water for decades. Beginning this spring, we’ll be making some changes to our swim lesson structure to simplify and more accurately describe skill levels. What is different? We’re making two key changes to swim lessons: Name changes: Lesson names are changing to stages that better reflect the skills learned, and we’re moving away from the identifying fish levels. Visit your local Y or our website for more information and a detailed guide on which stage is appropriate for your children. Curriculum changes: We’re also changing the curriculum to better serve different learning styles of our youth participants. We’ve simplified the structure by focusing on benchmark skills and goals in each stage. Students progress from fundamentals to stroke technique over six distinct stages. Swimming lessons are essential for kids to become safe around water, and learn to set and achieve goals. We’re looking forward to launching this new swim lesson structure and helping many more young people build swimming confidence.
To learn more visit: YMCA-SNOCO.ORG/SWIM
YOUR SUMMER ADVENTURE STARTS HERE!
One week or the whole summer. Indoors and out. On their own or in a group. Archery to arts, canoes to campfires, at YMCA summer camp your kids will have an amazing experience, all in a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment. We have camps for all ages and interests. Don’t delay . . . Register today!
YMCA-SNOCO.ORG/CAMP
UPCOMING
EVENTS
• • • • •
Monroe YMCA Tee Up For Teens Golf Tournament Casino Road Community Center Celebration Everett YMCA Bright Futures Benefit Auction Monroe YMCA Sky Valley Classic Burn the Bird - all branches
Sept. 15 Sept. 26 Oct. 14 Oct. 28 Nov. 23
WATCH US GROW
EVERETT FAMILY YMCA SELECTS GENERAL CONTRACTOR FOR NEW FACILITY The YMCA of Snohomish County Board of Trustees recently ratified the selection of Puyallup-based Absher Construction Company as general contractor for the new Everett Family YMCA on the property located at 4730 Colby Avenue in Everett. “The YMCA is central to a healthy and connected community, and we’re honored to be a part of the team to build the Everett Branch,” said Curt Gimmestad, Corporate Executive for the YMCA project and Director of Operations, Absher. “This project is an excellent opportunity to fulfill our core purpose at Absher, ‘To create and build community through teamwork, leadership, and experience.’” Absher will work with the YMCA of Snohomish County and BCRA Architects to provide pre-construction services including cost estimating, value engineering, constructibility review, subcontractor procurement and community outreach, as well as providing safety management, quality control, and commissioning during the construction phase. “We are pleased to be working with Absher Construction,” said Darren Redick, Board Member, YMCA Board of Trustees. “We completed a very detailed RFP process and Absher demonstrated an exceptional understanding of the project and presented a very thorough proposal.” Absher has experience with other large recreation and aquatic venues including the Mel Korum YMCA in Puyallup, the Snohomish Aquatic Center, Great Wolf Lodge, and the Boardman Recreation Center in Oregon.
PRESERVING THE LEGACY OF THE YMCA YMCA HERITAGE CLUB
The Heritage Club is a special group of people who believe in the purpose and traditions of the YMCA of Snohomish County and want to ensure this heritage of values is continued for future generations. Heritage Club members support the YMCA through either a direct contribution to the YMCA Endowment Fund or by including the YMCA in their estate plans. The purpose of the Heritage Club is to encourage thoughtful gifts as a primary means of building a strong endowment capable of providing lasting support for the YMCA mission for years to come. To learn more or join the YMCA Heritage Club, contact Jennifer Willows, VP/Chief Development Officer, at 425 374 5745 or jwillows@ymca-snoco.org. YMCA-SNOCO.ORG/GIVE
NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID SEATTLE, WA PERMIT NO. 134
YMCA OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY 2720 Rockefeller Ave. P. O. Box 419 Everett, WA 98206-9923
MY Y STORY Connected to the Community
Kristofer is a YMCA member and Y volunteer. He volunteers much of his time in Membership, in the Youth Development Center, and at special events. Kristofer enjoys giving back to his community in any way he can. The Y is the central point of his community and Kristofer believes that being at the Y helps him to meet and socialize with new people and to be more engaged with others. Kristofer is gaining and learning new skills, meeting new people, and feels more connected to the community. He also feels wanted, needed, and appreciated! It’s a blessing and I see many smiling faces,” said Kristofer.
We understand that military families are under enormous strain. As a member of the Y, you and your family can spend quality time together and enjoy fun activities in a warm, supportive environment. It’s also a place to meet other military families who can relate to your unique situation. Title 10 personnel are eligible for a Y membership. Contact Military OneSource at www.militaryonesource.com or 800 342 9647 to confirm your eligibility and receive an eligibility form. During the summer, the Marysville YMCA offers a camp program at Constitution Park for military youth. Twice a week the Y provides activities, games, and crafts. Please contact Allison Hoot at 360 651 1607 if you have questions regarding these military family programs or visit us at ymca-snoco.org/marysville for more information.
MY Y
STORY
Has the YMCA had a positive impact on your life? Would you like to share your story to inspire others? We’d love to hear from you. Email info@ymca-snoco.org.