• President’s Perspective • Robert F. Utter Award • Saving Lives • We’re Mobile — Are You? • The Y is for Youth • Positive Impact in Stanwood • My Y Story • Assets in Action • WASA Student Achievement Leadership Award • Online Program Registration
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 Invest in Youth campaign and United Way.
Mission Statement:
The YMCA of Snohomish County is composed of people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and religious affiliations united in sharing the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility through programs that build strong kids, strong families and strong communities.
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
I recently celebrated my fifth year anniversary with the YMCA of Snohomish County (that makes 33 years with the YMCA organization). As with any milestone like this, it prompts both reflection and thoughts of the future. Every day I see the impact of our good work on staff, members, volunteers, and the communities we serve. This doesn’t happen by chance. The YMCA has been, and always will be, a volunteer-driven organization. Our Trustee and branch boards guide us strategically into the future, committees provide direction on programs and other business issues, and we certainly couldn’t function without the many volunteers who raise funds in support of the Invest in Youth campaign. This is in addition to many volunteers who help out with programs on a daily basis. The collective energy of these volunteers is amazing. By applying human effort and passion, the Y is an unstoppable force. This is particularly true over the past few months. Some examples include the Y’s participation in a Snohomish County Coalition to tackle significant health issues in a new collaborative spirit, the launch of a diabetes prevention program this summer with the support of Centers for Disease Control (CDC) funding, and continued progress with our capital development plans that includes some significant early investments. You can feel the energy that is building as we take on these exciting new opportunities to serve our community. Thank you for being part of this energy source that is making a huge difference for kids and families in Snohomish County.
SCOTT WASHBURN RECEIVES THE ROBERT F. UTTER AWARD
Mukilteo Family Branch 10601 47th Place West Mukilteo, WA 98275 425 493 9622
Big Brothers Big Sisters 1420 Hewitt Avenue Everett, WA 98201 425 252 2227
The Triangle is published quarterly 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 Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/ymcasnoco Watch us on YouTube: youtube.com/ymcaofsnohomishco
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Scott Washburn, President/CEO of the YMCA of Snohomish County, received the Robert F. Utter Award, which honors individuals who show consistent, outstanding and sustained contributions to the cause of civic leadership in Washington State. The award was presented during the opening session of the annual YMCA Youth Legislature on May 1. The award was established in 1997 in honor of Washington Supreme Court Justice Robert
Utter and the principles of ethical leadership, commitment to the ideals of democracy, civic responsibility, and community service. Individuals nominated demonstrate positive values and service-oriented leadership; are role models for youth, and work to enhance the true mission of democratic governance. All nominations are reviewed by a committee of the YMCA Youth & Government Board of Directors.
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TRIANGLE | A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y
SAVING LIVES THROUGH MAKE A SPLASH Did you know that drowning is the second leading cause of death in the United States for children under age 14? In Washington State, an average of 25 children and teens drown every year. Most of them are swimming, boating, or just playing in or near water. For the second year, Everett Public Schools and the Everett Family YMCA in partnership with the USA Swimming Foundation are making a commitment to teach children to swim and be safe in and around the water. For five weeks this spring, all third grade students at Hawthorne Elementary School were brought to the Y for swim and water safety lessons. The program is free to families thanks to donations to the YMCA Invest in Youth campaign. Parent Jeff Whitley, whose son Daryon is in the program, came to watch on the last session. “We’ve been meaning to sign him up for lessons but just never got around to it,” Jeff said. “We were excited to learn about this opportunity and are grateful as well for the other students at the school who can participate,” he continued. “Before the lessons Daryon did not want to put his face in the water. Now he’s dunking. His confidence has increased and I’ll be more comfortable this summer when he’s around water.”
Hawthorne third graders learn about the class on the first session “The collaboration between the YMCA and the school district shows the incredible impact we can have on kids when we work together,” said Ted Wenta, VP Operations, YMCA of Snohomish County. “Water safety is so important for kids of this age—fifty percent of drownings nationwide happen within 25 yards of an adult. If we can save just one life through this program, it is worth it.”
LEARN TO SWIM!
Why should your child learn to swim? Because learning to swim significantly reduces the risk of drowning. Whether or not you plan to head to the pool, water is all around us — in rivers, lakes, drainage ditches, even large puddles. Equip your child with this life skill and you’ll also be giving him/her access to all the fun and fitness the water can provide! * 70% of African American children cannot swim * 60% of Latino children cannot swim * 40% of Caucasian children cannot swim * Ten people drown each day in the U.S. * Drowning is the second leading cause of childhood accidental death for children under the age of 14 * Participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the likelihood of childhood drowning by 88%
For information on swim lessons visit ymca-snoco.org/swim
WE’RE MOBILE… ARE YOU?
In January 2012 we launched our Mobile App for iPhone and Android devices. The App is free and provides members with easy access to information such as schedules, facility status, programs, and events. We recently launched Version 2 which provides even more functionality. * It’s now iPad friendly and delivers the same great content to your tablet as the mobile version. * Social media features allow you to share your YMCA experiences on Facebook, Twitter, and Foursquare. * With the personal calendar integration you can ensure you don’t miss a class! * Use Member Check-in and you’ll never be without your membership card again. Just enter your member number and scan in using the barcode. * Schedules are also integrated into our website in real-time. Current App users will need to download the updated version from your device App store. 3
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TRIANGLE | A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y
ENGAGED AND THRIVING AFTER THE SCHOOL BELL
Adam and his mom Mary A 14-year-old with a learning disability, Adam has never been able to participate in social or after school activities that didn’t have a special education component. That was before Y-Achievers. After six months in Y-Achievers combined with therapeutic horse riding, Adam is making tremendous progress both socially and academically. A project of the Marysville Family YMCA at Port Susan Middle School in Stanwood, Y-Achievers provides a place for students to socialize after school, get homework assistance, and take part in fun activities such as dodge ball and swimming. “One of the things we talk about since he started this program in January is that he’s made leaps and bounds in his progress academically,” said Adam’s mother, Mary Zelinka of Camano Island. “The biggest area he’s made gains in since the first of the year is reading.” Mary said her son, who has never read at “grade level,” was reading at the fourth grade level when he started seventh grade. Since beginning Y-Achievers, which meets in the library, Adam’s skills have advanced to seventh grade level reading. “That’s astounding!” Mary said. “Socially, Y-Achievers is a fun environment with rules and boundaries. He enjoys going. That’s one of the biggest things for us. He loves to go!” she added. What would Adam do if Y-Achievers didn’t exist? “I’d make it exist!” Adam said. 4
THE Y IS FOR YOUTH
AND YOU HELPED US RAISE A RECORD $1,264,201 Because we believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve, the Y is for Youth Development. Each year the YMCA of Snohomish County conducts its annual Invest in Youth campaign to raise greatly needed funds to support children, teens, and families throughout its five branch operations and Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate office. The 2013 campaign goal was $1,258,000. As of May 1 the Y confirmed exceeding the campaign goal with a record $1,264,201 raised, 8 percent more than the prior year. “Our campaign is the ultimate demonstration of community caring,” said Scott Washburn, YMCA President/CEO. “Our goal is to ensure that all kids and families can benefit from the services provided by our YMCA. Every year our community steps up to make this possible.” Through the Y, thousands of children and teens throughout Snohomish County are cultivating the values, skills, and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and educational achievement. “This is the most money ever raised in our YMCA history, and I am once again humbled by the commitment of our community,” said Mark Mantei, Campaign Chair. “For many youth, the YMCA is a second home. It’s a place where they can feel safe and secure. The dollars raised through the Invest in Youth campaign help us offer important services and programs to those who need them. By doing so we strengthen the foundation of our community.” As a leading nonprofit organization in Snohomish County, the YMCA’s Financial Assistance Program, supported by contributions to the annual Invest in Youth campaign and United Way provided $1,760,000 in direct financial assistance to 10,730 individuals during 2012. The YMCA of Snohomish County counts on the generosity of our members and community to help people of all ages and from all walks of life become more healthy, confident, connected, and secure. Through the Invest in Youth campaign the Y is able to provide programs and activities that have a positive and healthy impact on our youth.
LIVESTRONG
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Assets in Action
ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENTAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH KIDS
JJ FRANK RECEIVES WASA STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT LEADERSHIP AWARD
Healthy developmental relationships happen when youth and adults actively listen to each other; treat each other with respect, honesty, kindness, and empathy; have a shared understanding of their roles and responsibilities within the relationship; respectfully challenge and hold each other accountable; and enjoy their time together. Try these tips for encouraging caring relationships in your child’s life.
At Home:
* Be emotionally close: No two parents show love in
quite the same way. Some shower their kids with lots of hugs, high fives, and kind notes; others are more stoic or reserved. Tap into your own way of showing your kids you care. Communicate openly and directly: When you speak * to your kids, are your messages grounded in love, respect, and clarity? Do you ever say one thing and mean another? clear rules: The key to reducing everyone’s stress Set * and frustration about rules and expectations is to be clear, consistent, reasonable, and evolutionary. “Evolutionary” means being responsive to your child’s changing developmental needs and what they’ve demonstrated about their choices.
* Give kids chances to help out and serve others:
Show your kids that they are valued at home by giving them increasing levels of responsibility. Then take it a step further by helping them get engaged in service in the community, whether in the neighborhood, school, or somewhere else.
In the Community:
* Do teachers, coaches, and youth leaders like, respect, and treat children fairly? Thank the adults who spend time with your kids. Notice those who make special efforts to be there for your children. These may include teachers, youth leaders, extended family members, neighbors, music instructors, tutors, bus drivers, and many other people in your children’s lives. Have you asked adults you respect to watch out for, mentor, or spend time with your child? Encourage the adults you know and trust to spend more time with your children. Offer specific invitations for connections based on mutual interests. Excerpt taken from ParentFurther, a Search Institute resource for families.
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JJ Frank The Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) annually holds regional recognition ceremonies during which districts honor either WASA members or community members for ways they support student success. The Student Achievement Leadership Award is presented to a community member who has provided leadership for implementation and innovation that has resulted in measureable growth in student achievement. JJ Frank, associate executive director of the Marysville Family YMCA, received this year’s award in recognition of his contribution toward education. Nominated by Dr. Gary Cohn, Everett Public Schools superintendent, JJ Frank is synonymous with the YMCA of Snohomish County’s Minority Achievers Program (MAP). The MAP mission is to motivate and support students of color and immigrant students ages 11-19 to achieve higher educational and career goals. MAP Students with at least two years in the program have an 87 percent graduation rate, and nine out of ten students in MAP say that being in the program makes them want to try harder in school. JJ was director of the MAP program for seven years, before taking a new position at the Marysville YMCA branch late last year. “JJ’s dedicated passion for the success potential of each student is the fuel for MAP’s success,” Dr. Cohn said. “Everett Public Schools is pleased to have partnered with JJ and the Minority Achievers Program and to present him with this award.”
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TRIANGLE | A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y
PROGRAM REGISTRATION AT YOUR FINGERTIPS From here, you can update your contact information and add family members to your account.*
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Our online registration page makes it easier than ever to keep track of your wellness progress and update your account from home. From the “My Account” section of our online registration site (reg.ymca-snoco.org) you have a number of tools at your fingertips. First, click the “Register Now” link at the top of any of our pages on our website. From there, click the gray “Edit My Account Information” button on the lower right-hand side
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You can also check and pay any remaining balances on your account, view previous transactions, view building access (how often you’ve used the Y), update your login information, view and print child care tax documents, and even see your family’s calendar of activities at the Y.
This will prompt you to login to your account. Once you’re logged in, you have a number of options available to you on your My Account page:
* Note: if you do not see a family
member listed on your account who has participated in Y programs in the past, please call your branch to have them added to your account. Adding them on this screen will create a duplicate account if they are already in our system. Questions? Comments? Let us know! Email us at info@ymca-snoco.org
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