TRIANGLE the
summer 2014
Your YMCA at work in the community
Y TEENS
MAKE A
DIFFERENCE YMAD stands for Youth Making a Difference. And that’s exactly what youth in the Everett YMCA YMAD program do. YMAD is a group of middle and high school volunteers who want to make a positive impact on themselves, the community, and their YMCA. Through the program, they develop leadership skills, plan trips, create events, and meet other teens. This past school year, teens collaborated with Free the Children, an international charity and educational partner working both domestically and internationally to empower and enable youth to be agents of change. Teens sold buttons to raise money to send to Sierra Leone to help build a school through the “We are Love” campaign. Other projects worked on throughout the year included support for Project Homeless Connect, holding a birthday party for kids in the Y-Community program, collecting more than 100 coats for schools and shelters during the winter, and supporting local food banks. Because of the number of local projects YMAD supported, students and staff from the Everett Family YMCA and Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Snohomish County were recognized at the We Day Seattle’s Evening of Champions, held the night before We Day.
Lynn Fisher Monson, BBBS; Viri M., YMAD; Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks; Hailey N., YMAD; Catherine Rasnack, Everett YMCA
We Day is an initiative of Free the Children. Harnessing the energy and passion of this young community of change-makers, We Day brings youth together in an unparalleled setting to show them they are not alone in their journey to make a difference. In order to apply for We Day tickets, schools and groups must commit to the We Act Program. Through the We Act Program, schools and groups are given access to free educational resources to help them complete one local and one global action relating to any social justice issue the group is interested in. “I am so proud of all of our YMAD youth for being recognized at the Evening of Champions event,” said Catherine Rasnack, Everett Family YMCA Teen Coordinator. “They worked hard all year long in support of their projects, and this shows them that they can be change agents both locally and globally.”
BIG NEWS BBBS HAS MOVED
Big Brothers Big Sisters recently moved to a new office in downtown Everett. The new address is 2722 Colby Ave., Ste. 415, Everett 98201. Phone and email will remain the same.
In this Issue: • Teens Make a Difference • President’s Perspective • At a Glance • Annual Campaign • Mission Possible • YMCA Elects Officers/Board • Power of Mind Donation
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
President’s Perspective
Scott Washburn
Dear Friends: Where has the time gone? I could swear I just turned the calendar to 2014 and it’s already summer! With this issue of The Triangle, we are introducing a short, quick read format. Our goal is send this out more frequently to keep you in the loop as to the good work of our YMCA and how we continue to strengthen the communities we are involved in. My president’s message will be shorter to allow for more room for the news we want to share with you. But as always, I’m here and available should you ever have any questions or concerns. Feel free to send me an email at swashburn@ymca-snoco.org.
AT A GLANCE
YOUR YMCA HARD AT WORK Much has happened at your YMCA of Snohomish County over the past six months. Here’s a quick recap of key events and activities: EVERETT FAMILY YMCA •
Expanded our second elementary school for Make A Splash; now at Hawthorne and Garfield Elementary Schools. This program provides free swim lessons to all third graders.
10601 47th Place West Mukilteo, WA 98275 425 493 9622
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Pilot site (with Mill Creek branch) for YMCA of the USA free swim lesson program.
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15th Annual Yankee Doodle Dash had 800 runners and more than 100 volunteers.
Stanwood-Camano YMCA Initiative
MARYSVILLE FAMILY YMCA
Mukilteo Family Branch
8823 Viking Way Stanwood, WA 98292 360 629 9622
Big Brothers Big Sisters 2722 Colby, Ste. 415 Everett, WA 98201 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 maiing list, please call or email the editor. For more information on YMCA programs and services, visit www.ymca-snoco.org.
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Supported the youth of the Oso/Darrington communities by providing 45 kids with a day at the Y including games, activities, swimming, crafts, and lunch.
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Donated $2,000 raised from the All-in Poker Bide Ride to the Oso disaster relief fund.
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In a partnership with Seattle Goodwill, offered three sessions of an eight week English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class, graduating 36 people.
MILL CREEK FAMILY YMCA •
Mill Creek Puddle Run raised $3,500 for the LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA Cancer Survivors Program.
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Sparks program development which includes the new program, the “Slice of Summer” (a free summer mini-camp for members), which is successfully filling a need within in our branch to serve 7–12 year olds.
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The Common Ground Community Garden, a new addition to our children’s garden, allows families to nourish their own homes with produce as well as support local food banks.
MONROE FAMILY YMCA Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/ymcasnoco
Watch us on YouTube: youtube.com/ymcaofsnohomishco
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The Sultan Minority Achievers Program served 45 individual students throughout the school year.
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Summer Track – a free program serving more than 80 kids, ages 6-12, with a six week track program.
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Melt the Belt – this unique, free program served more than 30 adults in nutrition and workouts, measuring results in several ways.
MUKILTEO FAMILY YMCA •
Provided low-cost swim lessons to nearly 30 youth from the Casino Road community. For most of these swimmers it was their first formal swim lesson.
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Remodeled the Youth Development Center to include a 30-foot indoor skateboard miniramp.
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Increased Annual Campaign giving by 10%.
AT A GLANCE continued STANWOOD-CAMANO YMCA INITIATIVE •
Providing Meals & Fun, Summer Discovery Camp, and Teen Volunteer Service programs this summer.
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Continue ongoing work with volunteers on the initiative to expand the YMCA in Stanwood-Camano, including the eventual construction of a new YMCA facility.
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Dawne Wentworth has been hired to serve as the StanwoodCamano YMCA Initiative director.
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS •
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Completed third year of Beyond School Walls, where 25 students from Woodside Elementary visit Comcast in Lynnwood to meet with their mentors. This year the students did work around community, creating a flag that represented their friendship with their Big Brother or Big Sister, and sorting food for a local food bank and learning how food banks work. Eleven students will be returning next year. Served 41 children in three school districts through Kids’ Book Clubs. Every child in a Kids’ Book Club experienced improvements in their literacy skills. Of the students served, 57% improved by one grade level and 18% improved by two grade levels. Students also improved in their behavior and attention in class.
YMCA OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY •
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As part of the Snohomish County Health Leadership Coalition and in support of Gear Up & Go!, the YMCA of Snohomish County provided all 5th graders (in participating schools), with a free youth membership during the school year. During the 2013-14 school year we served 365 youth with the goal of promoting better health and lifelong healthy habits. The Y will support this program again during the 2014-15 school year. The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is an evidencebased behavior change program designed to help adults who are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes reduce their chance of developing the disease. Since August 2013, the Y has offered seven sessions and 83 individuals have enrolled. Effective September 1, 2014, paper guest passes will be replaced with electronic passes on membership accounts. Guests may use the facility with a member and valid photo ID up to three times per calendar year.
ANNUAL CAMPAIGN RAISES A RECORD $1,348,771 Each year the YMCA of Snohomish County conducts its Annual Campaign to raise funds critical to the development of children, teens, and families throughout its five branch operations, Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate office, and Stanwood-Camano outreach initiative. The 2014 campaign goal was $1,313,000. As of April 15 the Y exceeded the campaign goal with a record $1,348,771 raised, 5% more than last year. “We focus our work in three key areas, because nurturing the potential of kids, helping people live healthier, and supporting our neighbors are fundamental to strengthening communities,” said Scott Washburn, YMCA President/CEO. “Our community never fails to support this important campaign. Because of this, more people can benefit from the services provided by our YMCA.”
Scott Forslund, Campaign Chair
Because of the Y, thousands of children and teens throughout Snohomish County cultivate the values, skills, and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and educational achievement. “Throughout Snohomish County, countless people know the YMCA. But there’s so much more to our Y than one might think,” said Scott Forslund, Campaign Chair. “The Y is more than a gym. It’s a cause, a charity. This is the most money raised in our YMCA history, and we are truly blessed by the commitment of our community.”
MISSION POSSIBLE In order to stay current and vibrant, and better align ourselves with the national rebranding effort rolled out in 2010, it was time to update the mission statement that guides our work. A Strategic Oversight Committee led by Dr. Gary Cohn, Everett Public Schools Superintendent, worked on this project. Their process included developing a draft statement, soliciting feedback from branch volunteers and staff, and incorporating the input into the final recommendation. On Jan. 8, the following new mission statement was adopted by the Board of Trustees: To inspire, nurture, and strengthen culturally vibrant communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID EVERETT, WA PERMIT NO. 134
YMCA OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY 2720 Rockefeller Ave. P. O. Box 419 Everett, WA 98206-9923
YMCA ELECTS OFFICERS/BOARD MEMBERS The YMCA of Snohomish County Trustee Board elected new officers for 2014-2015. The Trustee Board, comprised of community leaders as well as the chairpersons from each of the branch boards, oversees the operations and strategic planning of the entire Association. The following members were elected as Board Officers for 2014-2015:
Scott Forslund
Chair, Scott Forslund, Premera Blue Cross; Vice Chair, Matt Reinhard, Rhino Ventures, LLC; Vice Chair, Dr. Gary Cohn, Everett Public Schools; Secretary, Brenda Baltrusch, Well Fargo; Treasurer, Tracy Cumming, Precor Incorporated; Vice Treasurer, Brian Evans, Bauer Evans, Inc. PS/BondStreet Wealth Management, LLC; Past Chair, Leslie Lauer, The Boeing Company.
Re-elected to the Board of Trustees were Bob Dobler, Gamut360 Holdings LLC; Matt Reinhard, Rhino Ventures, LLC; Scott Forslund, Premera Blue Cross; Ken Kettler, Tulalip Resort Casino; Brenda Baltrusch, Well Fargo; and Brian Evans, Bauer Evans, Inc. PS/BondStreet Wealth Management, LLC. Newly elected to the Board of Trustees is Dr. David Beyer, Everett Community College.
Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks; Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners; Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks; Tami Farber, YMCA of Snohomish County; Bruce Irvin, Seattle Seahawks; Robert Turbin, Seattle Seahawks
Thanks to the Power of Mind Foundation and the Seattle Seahawks for their support of the YMCA Minority Achievers Program. A check for $25,000 was presented at the Power of Mind annual celebrity bowl-a-thon event in May.
CONNECT
WITH US
Stay connected with your Y! Each branch of the YMCA has its own Facebook page and monthly electronic newsletter. Join the conversation at ymca-snoco.org/connect.