Cliff Smith YMCA Postcard Collection

Jeff Monseau (right), Springfield College Archivist, maintains the Cliff Smith YMCA Postcard Collection within the extensive archives of the College. Pictured with Jeff are Harry Rock (left), Director of YMCA Relations, and Richard Foot, YMCA Resource Director, a 1968 graduate of the College.

Tomorrow's YMCA Leaders

Melissa Lambert, a Senior at Springfield College, majoring in YMCA Professional Studies (center), is pictured with Jeff Monseau, Springfield College Archivist, and Harry Rock, Director of YMCA Relations at Springfield College.
Springfield College was founded in 1885 to educate YMCA leaders. The College's YMCA Career Candidate Program combines academic and co-curricular preparation for YMCA work, including internships at YMCAs.

Springfield College Students Enjoy Holidays At Hazen

Springfield College Director of YMCA Relations Harry Rock and three college students participated in the AYP Chapter 3 "Holidays at Hazen" event conducted at YMCA Camp Hazen.
Pictured are (L-R): Elliot Irizany, SC Class of 2011; Liz Czaranecki, Americorps Volunteer; Harry Rock; and Lewis Kanyiba, SC Graduate Student.
Founded in 1885, Springfield College is known worldwide as the Birthplace of Basketball and for the guiding principles of its Humanics philosophy - educating students in spirit, mind and body for leadership in service to others. Springfield College offers the YMCA Career Candidate Program, a unique program of academic and co-curricular enducation.

Camp Hazen Holiday Choristers Perform

To the delight of AYP Chapter 3 the Camp Hazen YMCA "not-for-prime-time" Holiday Choristers serenaded YMCA leaders with a "campy" rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Holiday Elves

Patrick Connolly (L) and Mark Pooler (R) enjoy a light moment at the "Holidays at Hazen" AYP Chapter 3 meeting conducted at YMCA Camp Hazen.

How Sweet It Is

The YMCA Camp Hazen culinary team created a confectionary tribute to retiring AYP National Executive Director John Coduri.
Pictured are (L-R): Danita Ballantyne, Camp Director at YMCA Camp Hazen; Denise Learned, Executive Director of YMCA Camp Hazen; John Coduri, retiring National AYP Director; Rhino Merrick, Assistant Camp Director at YMCA Camp Hazen; and Meghan Carr, Program Director at YMCA Camp Hazen.

Solid As A Rock

Harry Rock, Director of YMCA Relations at Springfield College, engages in conversation with Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA Executive Director John Myers at the AYP Chapter 3 "Holidays At Hazen" event conducted at snow-covered YMCA Camp Hazen in Chester, Connecticut.

Societal Trends - "Generations and the YMCA"

Heather Evans, YMCA of the USA Research Analyst (left), keynoted the "Holidays at Hazen" meeting of AYP Chapter 3 with an illustrated presentation on Societal Trends and Their Implications for the YMCA.
Did you know that by 2010 only 20% of all households in the United States will be parents with two children under 18?"
Heather presented a profile of the five generations in the YMCA today - Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation "X", Generation "Y" and Generation "V" (virtual). Pictured with Heather is Wendy Stevens, AYP Chapter 3 President, and Executive Director of the Cheshire Branch of the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA.

John Coduri Leadership Award Established

Chapter 3 of the Assoiation of YMCA Professionals (AYP) honored retiring AYP National Executive Director John Coduri with the establishment of the "John Coduri Leadership Award", which will be annually presented to a YMCA professional in the Chapter.
Pictured (L-R) are: Scott MacLeod, Executive Director of the Arcadia Branch of the Ocean Community YMCA; John Coduri, AYP National Executive Director; and Denise Griffin, Aquatics Specialist at the Westerly-Pawtucket Branch of the Ocean Community YMCA.

AYP Chapter 3 Salutes Coduri and Welcomes Dunn

Chapter 3 of the Association of YMCA Professionals (AYP) gathered today for its annual "Holidays at Hazen" meeting at YMCA Camp Hazen in Chester, Connecticut, and marked the seasonally-festive gathering with a tribute to retiring AYP National Executive Director John Coduri and a warm welcome to Donna F. Dunn, who will succeed John at the helm of the national organization.
Pictured are (L-R): Wendy Stevens, AYP Chapter 3 President and Executive Direcotr of the Cheshire Branch of the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA; John Coduri, National President of AYP; and Donna F. Dunn, recently-appointed to lead the Association of YMCA Professionals, following the retirement of John Coduri.

Connecticut Department of Labor Officials Update YMCA Leaders

Commendation to the Connecticut YMCA Alliance's HR and Finance Directors' Network for hosting today's workshop on the Connecticut Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), new federal regulations, the I-9 Form and COBRA notice requirements.
Kudos to Pam Libertiny (Director of Human Resources, Risk Management and Administration for the New Canaan Community YMCA) and Joan Camire (Associate Executive Director of the Valley Shore YMCA) for their leadership of the Network.
A special thanks to YMCA Camp Hazen for hosting today's workshop - Tip O' The Hat to Denise Learned and Claudia Martin for their hospitality.
THANK YOU to Attorney Jennifer Devine and Special Investigator James Fusaro from the CT Department of Labor.

Regional YMCA Launches Annual Campaign

Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut Board Member James Arconti, a Vice President of Rose & Kiernan, Inc., has been tapped to lead the Association's THIS IS Y annual support campaign. The campaign goal is $132,000, with all funds directed to financial assistance to children, adults and families in the Greater Danbury area. Already the Regional YMCA has topped $124,000, exceeding last year's $120,000 achievement!
Jim Arconti, left center, talks to YMCA members Frank Heinsolin, Bonny Miller and Dennis Macauley in front of the Greenknoll YMCA in Brookfield.

YES Network Plays Football at the Stamford YMCA

The YES Television network football team talks over strategy at a recent flag football game on teh new turf at Westhill High School. The 10-team league, sponsored by the Stamford YMCA, has played all fall on Sunday mornings, with the championship underway.

Stamford YMCA's 21st Century Learning Center Goes to the NBA

The Stamford YMCA's 21st Century Learning Center program, in partnership with the Rippowam Middle School, recently attended the opening night of the New Jersey Nets season at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. Students and faculty along with YMCA Senior Program Director Ernest Lamour enjoyed a terrific nigth of NBA baskeball!

Stamford YMCA Basketball League

The Stamford YMCA has hosted a fall high school basketball league, with teh championship tournament currently underway. High school teams from Fairfield County, including Stamford, Wilton, Trinity, Westhill, Darien, Greenwich, McMahon, New Canaan, Stamford Academy, adn Norwalk particiapted in the league, according to Stamford YMCA Executive Director Mark Ketley.

Wilton Family YMCA Engages in Strategic Planning

Thirty-six members of the Wilton Family YMCA governing boards (Directors and Advisory Trustees) gathered this evening at Silver Spring Country Club in Ridgefield, Connecticut to advance the process of strategic planning for the Association. Mark Dengler, Vice President of SEER Analytics, presented an overview of the Primary Market Analysis, Fundraising Focus assessment, and Membership Satisfaction Survey to the assembled YMCA leaders.
Small group discussion, facilitated by strategic planning committee members, focused on The Big Question for the Wilton Family YMCA.

Naugatuck YMCA Enters Phase 3 of Facility Upgrade

The Naugatuck YMCA is currently engaged in Phase III-B of a $3.0 million capital improvement program, which work has spanned five years. Primary funding sources for the capital development enterprise have been federal funding ("Small Cities" and Department of Transportation), state funding (DSS), and major corporations and foundations.
From the sidewalk in front of the Naugatuck YMCA the community can see one element of the capital enhancement - the access to an elevator, providing accessibility to persons with disabilities to the YMCA wellness facilities as well as the YMCA residence. Wellness facility , childcare center, locker room, and fire code compliance have been included in the project. Natatorium improvements are planned in the coming months.
The elevator features "green" technology (belt-driven) and provides stops at four elevations in the facility.
Pictured are: (L-R) Todd Genovese, Project Manager with Rose-Tiso & Company (architects), and Bill Kane, Naugatuck YMCA Executive Director

Newport County YMCA Embraces Health Seekers

Newport County YMCA Executive Director Pete Milinazzo and Member Relations and Wellness Director Dawn Gardner strategize around improvements in their YMCA's culture, aimed at embracing and addressing the wants, needs, and interests of health seekers. The Newport County YMCA is one of seven YMCAs in the Northeast Gulick Collborative.

Dawn Gardner To Chair NE Gulick Collaborative Steering Committee

Dawn Gardner, Member Relations and Wellness Director for the Ocean Community YMCA, has volunteered to chair the steering committee of the Northeast Gulick Collborative, a consortium of seven YMCAs in the Northeast committed to transforming their YMCAs' cultures to one that clearly embraces and addresses the wants, needs, and interests of health seekers.
The Northeast Gulick Collaborative met in an Executive Strategy Session on October 28th at Save The Bay overlooking Naragansett Bay in Providence. The YMCAs which form the Collaborative are: Hockomock Area YMCA, YMCA of Greater Nashua, Newport County YMCA, Rye YMCA, Greater Providence YMCA, Valley Shore YMCA and the YMCA of Central Massachusetts.
Kelly Kressler from the Rye YMCA leads the Childcare affinity group in the collborative.
Pictured are: (L-R) Karen Leslie, President, Greater Providence YMCA, Dawn Gardner, and Cindy McDermott, Northeast Gulick Collaborative Director.

Connecticut BEAN Organizes Advocacy Workshop

The Connecticut YMCA Alliance's Branch Executives and Associates Network (BEAN) organized today's YMCA Advocacy workshop, as part of the continuing series of professional development experiences for YMCA professionals in the state. The Connecticut BEAN is chaired by Chris Pallatto, Executive Director of the Wheeler Regional YMCA Branch of the Greater Hartford YMCA. (right in photo). Serving with Chris on the BEAN steering committee are Jeff Williams, Executive Director of the Hamden-North Haven Branch of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA (left in photo). Philip J. Dwyer, President of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, is Vice Chair of the Public Policy Committee of the Connecticut Alliance of YMCAs (center in photo). Not pictured is BEAN steering committee member Mark Pasquarello, Executive Director of the Berlin Branch of the New Britain-Berlin YMCA.

Neighborhood Pride Evident in North Hartford

Talk to a person on the sidewalk in front of the new Wilson-Gray Youth and Family Center YMCA in the North End of Hartford, and you will readily sense the community PRIDE in this spectacular new YMCA full-facility branch, featuring a gymnasium, community rooms, child-watch, locker facilities, and a Read To Succeed literacy center.

YMCA Member Ambassadors

YMCA Member Ambassador Dean Jones and Senior Director of Membership and Marketing Susan Campbell represented the Greater Hartford YMCA in stellar fashion, as they conducted tours of the handsome new Wilson-Gray Youth and Family Center in the North End of Hartford. Jones and Campbell are pictured in front of the historic mosaic mural in the lobby of the new facility. The mosaic was preserved from the old YMCA building across from Bushnell Park in downtown Hartford.

Vance and Marshall - CT YMCA Alliance Advocady Duo

Connecticut YMCA Alliance Public Policy Committee Chair Morag Vance (left) and Connecticut YMCA Alliance lobbyist Marshall Collins welcome Connecticut State Senator Joan Hartley to the Advocacy Workshop.

CT YMCA Alliance Advocacy Workshop

Greater Waterbury YMCA CEO Jim O'Rourke greeted Connecticut State Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury), Assistant President Pro Tempore of the state Senate, at today's Connecticut YMCA Alliance Advocacy workshop, conducted in the Old Judiciary Room of the State Capitol in Hartford. Also invited to the workshop was State Representative Themis Klarides, Deputy Republican Leader, who represents the 114th Assembly District - the towns of Woodbridge, Orange and Derby.
Senator Hartley was named Connecticut YMCA Alliance Legislator of the Year in 2009.

Hearts Are Worn In These Dark Ages

The New Canaan Community YMCA in Fairfield County, Connecticut is reaching out to the children of the second largest urban slum on the continent of Africa - Kibera, a provincial division of Nairobi, Kenya - whose inhabitants number between 600,000 and 1.2 million.
Pictured is a class of the FAFU nursery school, displaying a banner thanking the New Canaan YMCA for its financial support. The majority of the children in the class are from single mothers or are orphans.
Kibera is featured in Fernando Meirelle's film The Constant Gardner and mentioned in the music video World On Fire by Sarah McLachlan.
"Hearts are worn in these dark ages / You're not alone in this story's pages / Night has fallen amongst the living and the dying / And I try to hold it in, yeah, I try to hold it in." - Sarah McLachlan

YMCA Alliance Honors Chip Lewis

The Connecticut Alliance of YMCAs this evening honored Wallingford Family YMCA volunteer Chip Lewis for his leadreship and service on the Alliance Public Policy Committee.

Connecticut State Representative Mary Mushinsky presented Chip with a Proclamation signed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the State Senate, and the Secretary of the State.

Participating in the ceremonies conducted at the Hawthorne Inn in Berlin, Connecticut were Past Public Policy Committee Chairs Frank Sumpter, Gary Kozak and Doug Bray, along with the current Committee leadership - Morag Vance, Chair, and Phil Dwyer, Vice Chair.

Connecticut YMCA Retirees Gather For Luncheon

Twenty-two retired YMCA employees residing in Connecticut gathered at Angelo's on Main RockLedge in West Hartford today for a meeting of the Connecticut Chapter of the Association of YMCA Retirees. The meeting was hosted by Bob Hoffman and Dickinson McNulty.
Pictured are: Bob and Nancy Fitzgerald, Co-Vice Presidents of the New England Chapter of AYR
Bob and Nancy Hoffman, Board members of NE AYR
Andy Anderson, Past President of NE AYR
Allen Beavers, Treasurer, NE AYR

Strap-Hangers Targeted In Bridgeport YMCA Promotion

Should you find yourself riding any of the Greater Bridgeport Transportation Authority (GBTA) buses in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Trumbull, Milford, or "The Valley", you will see a three-foot banner promoting the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA. Kudos to Bridgeport YMCA Branch Executive Tim Bartlett for arranging a special deal for just the cost of the materials. The signs will be in 50 buses for a year!

A Lifetime of Volunteerism

Executive Vice President of Danbury Health Systems Dr. John Murphy (center), and a long-time friend Dick Blessey (left) present a plaque to John Allen's wife, Phyllis, in the lobby of the Greenknoll YMCA on October 13,, 2009 in memory of John's lifetime support and volunteerism to the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut and many other organizations in the Greater Danbury area.

YMCA Hall of Famer Bill Cameron Addresses AYP Chapter 3

William "Bill" Cameron, a 2007 inductee to the YMCA Hall of Fame, addressed members of Chapter 3 of the Association of YMCA Professionals (AYP) today at the Chapter's monthly meeting conducted at the New Britain-Berlin YMCA. Bill's "Legacy" address was a reprise of his thought-provoking presentation at the AYP Albany Conference.
Pictured are AYP Chapter 3 President Wendy Stevens, Branch Executive Director of the Cheshire Branch of the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCAs, and Bill Cameron.

A Legacy of 125 Years of Service to New Britain

One has a glimpse into the 125 year heritage of the New Britain-Berlin YMCA when viewing the ornate YMCA logo on the entrance to the YMCA.
The New Britain-Berlin YMCA claims to be the birthplace of the sport of racquetball.

Regional YMCA Raises The Financial Development Bar

Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut President Marie Miszewski (left) and Director of Development and Marketing Greg Dembowski (right) joined Y-USA Financial Development Resource Specialist Courtney Z. Weiland at the 2010 Tri-State YMCA Strong Kids Campaign Kick-off in Mahwah, New Jersey today.
To learn more about the Tri-State YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, click on www.donorbydesign.com/tristate

Wallingford Family YMCA Engages in Financial Development Pilot

The Wallingford Family YMCA is one of nine YMCAs nationally selected to participate in an Annual Community Support Campaign Pilot Project, under the guidance of the YMCA of the USA's financial development resource team. A trio of Wallingford Family YMCA leaders participated today in the 2010 Tri-State YMCA Strong Kids Campaign Kick-off, conducted in Mahwah, New Jersey.
Pictured are: (l-r) - Courtney Z. Weiland, Y-USA Financial Development Resource Specialist, Sean Doherty, CEO of the Wallingford Family YMCA, and Jan Donohue and Debbie Chappel of the Wallingford Family YMCA.

Championing Strong Kids in Darien

Darien Community YMCA Board member Mallory Weymann joined Darien Community YMCA Executive Director Pat Morrissey (center) and Montclair (NJ) YMCA CEO Tom Boyton at the 2010 Tri-State YMCA Strong Kids Campaign Kick-off in Mahwah, New Jersey today. [Also participating in today's kick-off was Darien Community YMCA Board President Deb Goll, not pictured.]
Six Connecticut YMCAs engaged in the kick-off campaign training session today - Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, Darien Community YMCA, Greenwich Family YMCA, New Britain-Berlin YMCA, Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut and the Wallingford Family YMCA.

Tri-State Strong Kids Campaign Kick-Off

The 2010 Tri-State YMCA Strong Kids Campaign kicked-off today with a day-long training workshop conducted at the Sheraton Hotel in Mahwah, New Jersey. Campaign organizers urged YMCA campaign leaders to "push the reset button", and establish a new standard for management, volunteer engagement, messaging, and the case for support.
Suzanne Reilly, Branch Executive Director of the Valley YMCA Branch of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, and Esperina Baptiste, Branch Executive Director of the Ralphola Taylor Community Center Branch of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, were among the seventy YMCA leaders in attendance.

Energy and $$$$$avings at Southington YMCA

The Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA today was awarded a $33,498 State of Connecticut Department of Public Utilities capital grant for the installation of a customer-side distributed generation, or co-generation, system at the YMCA's 29 High Street facility.
Co-generation is an on-site generation of energy. It is the simultaneous production of two or more forms of usable energy from combustion of a single fuel source, in the YMCA's case - natural gas. The YMCA uses this clean technology to produce electricity and thermal energy at the same time. While producing electricity by way of a natural gas-powered engine generator, the YMCA uses the waste heata from the engine to heat the building, the pool and the domestic hot water.
By producing one third of its own electricity and using the byproduct of hot water, the Southington Community YMCA is not only saving money, but more importantly, reducing its energy consumption and carbon footprint on the environment.
Pictured are: Joseph Heller, Account Executive from Yankee Gas, John Myers, Executive Director of the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA, and Terry Lombardi, YMCA Board President

Let The Sun Shine On The Smithfield YMCA Pool

For the first time in over 40 years the Smithfield (RI) YMCA indoor swimming pool is bathed in sunlight!
Smithfield YMCA CEO Harold Hemberger (pictured) is overseeing a $750,000 comprehensive make-over of the YMCA's natatorium - new structural steel roof, new water-tight roofing, air exchange system, and lighting.
Harold reports that the project is on schedule for completion at year-end, with a grand re-opening planned for right after the first of the year.
The project is funded by generous grants, prinicipal among them gifts from the Champlin Foundation, the Ocean State Charities, June Rockwell Levy Foundation, the Rhode Island Shriners' Foundation, and a Friend of the Smithfield YMCA, who wishes to remain anonymous.

Dwyer Attends YMCA World Urban Network in Egypt

Approximately 50 delegates from eighteen countries met last week in Alexandria, Egypt to discuss operating YMCAs ini a world at crisis, economically, socially and politically. Philip J. Dwyer, President of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, participated in this meeting of the YMCA World Urban Network (WUN).
The YMCA World Urban Network is a fellowship of YMCA CEOs/General Secretaries from the major cities around the world. The membership totals more than 100 colleagues with representation on all of the continents, linked together by a shared vision to achieve the YMCA's mission throughout the world, and particularly in urban centers.
WUN delegates discussed strategic planning, addressing conflicts that develop between balancing "mission and margin", and case studies on organizational renewal for troubled YMCAs. The group toured the Alexandria Library, a world-class reesearch and study center built in 2002
Pictured from L-R are: Philip J. Dwyer, CEO of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA; Ashraf Nicola, Assistant to the Egypt YMCA General Secretary; Samy Nashid, General Secretary to the Egypt YMCA Movement (24 YMCAs in the country); Deborah J. Dwyer

21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Recipient

The New Britain-Berlin YMCA today announced that the Association has been awarded a $200,000 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant, and will be serving as the lead agency and fiduciary, partnering with the New Britain School District.
The 21st Century Community Learning Center Program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. The program helps students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.

Wilton Family YMCA Bubble-Up!

A sure sign that fall is arriving in New England is the annual inflation of the "air structure" covering the fifty-meter aquatic facility of the Wilton Family YMCA in Wilton, Connecticut.
The Wilton Family YMCA makes a fun event of the task of inflating the "bubble". Days of preparation culminate in an "all-volunteers-on-deck" service day to ready the natatorium for the fall-winter-spring seasons.

Defining Attributes of Pioneering Healthier Communities

What are the defining attributes of Pioneering Healthier Communities?

- Leadership model
- Utilize multiple sectors and diverse organizations to maximize experience, resources, assets and skills
- YMCA serves as a convener in the community and co-leads with partners
- Influence policy and environmental change
- Local initiatives are organically grown with strategies specific to the needs of each community

Pictured are: (L-R) Kathleen McNamara, Partner Coach, Greater Waterbury YMCA; Jim O'Rourke, Interim Executive Director of the Greater Waterbury YMCA

Wilton Family YMCA Pioneering Healthy Living

The YMCA of the USA's Pioneering Healthier Communities initiative engages community leaders, convened by local YMCAs, in policy and environmental change efforts that support and promote healthy lifestyles. These initiatives empower local communities with proven strategies and models to create and sustain positive, lasting change for healthy living.
More than 100 YMCAs are involved in Activate America's Healthier Communities initiatives. Communities that are currently involved have been successful in influencing environmental and policy changes that affect community walkability and pedestrian safety; access to fresh fruits and vegetables; physical education requirements in schools; enhancements in opportunities for employees to havde access to healthy foods, among other things.
Pictured are: (L-R) Stephanie Barksdale, Executive Director of the Wilton Chamber of Commerce, and Karen Strickland, Development and Marketing Director of the Wilton Family YMCA.

Prevalent, Costly and Preventable

The YMCA recognizes that health and well-being programs and initiatives are cricital to the nation's efforts to combat the crisis of chronic disease, including heart disease and stroke, cancer and diabetes. YMCAs also recognize that they can't do it alone. These diseases are the most prevalent, costly and preventable of all health problems.

Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death in the US;
133 million Americans live with one or more chronic diseases, and 75% of the nation's medical care costs go to treating people with these conditions;
About half of all deaths in the US can be attributed to largely preventable behaviors.

Pictured are: (L-R) Barbara Moore, Project Director for the Connecticut Pioneering Healthier Communities / Robert Wood Johnson Foundation initiative; and Jason Cohen, Connecticut Statewide Pioneering Healthier Communities Chair (Director of Parks and Recreation in Colchester, CT and Treasurer / Legislative Chairman of the Connecticut Recreation and Park Association.

PHC YMCAs Visioning Success

Pioneering Healthier Communities YMCAs gathered in Arlington, Virginia this week, in the PHC Coaches Conference for the 2009 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant recipients, have established "Signs of Success for State Alliance / Statewide PHCs Work":



A thriving learning community - Statewide PHCs will have well-established forums and patterns for learning and sharing at both the local and state levels;



Increasing collaboration on state legislative priorities - Networks, communities, assocations across the respective states will have identified and committed to working together on one or more state-level priorities;



Growing more community-level work - More local communities taking on childhood obesity through policy / environmental change strategies, partly as a result of statewide PHC;



Getting meaningful and measurable results - Clear changes at the state and local level that are observable and measurable.


Pictured are: (L-R) Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA PHC Team members - Howard Thiery, Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Southington, CT; Karen DiGirolamo, Health and Wellness Director at the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA; John Myers, Executive Director of the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA

Healthier Communities Initiative

Tracy Wiedt, Project Director for Activate America, Healthier Communities Initiative, chats with Greater Hartford YMCA Vice President of Operations, Jim Scherer at the 2009 Pioneering Healthier Communities Coaches Conference in Arlington, Virginia.

Activate America National Director

Activate America National Director Jonathan Lever, is pictured with YMCA Resource Director Linda Schreiber, whose service portfolio encompasses YMCAs in Kentucky and West Virginia.

Jonathan oversees the strategic development and implementation of the Activate America initiative of the YMCA of the USA.

Wallingford Family YMCA Activates The Community

Participating in the Pioneering Healthier Communities Coaches Conference from the Wallingford Family YMCA are (L-R) Craig Turner, Director of Youth and Social Services for the Town of Wallingford, Sean Doherty, CEO of the Wallingford Family YMCA, and Mark Graham, Health and Wellness Director of the Wallingford Family YMCA.

Pictured second from the right is Sam Bechnel, Project Manager, Activate America, Healthier Communities Initaitive.

Darien Community YMCA a PHC YMCA

Darien Community YMCA Pioneering Healthier Communities Partner Coach / Community Volunteer Barbara Rhein chats with Connecticut YMCA Alliance Pioneering Healthier Communities / Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Project Director Barbara Moore at the opening reception for the Pioneering Healthier Communities Coaches meeting in Arlington, Virginia.

Pioneering Healthier Communities Coaches Meet

Six Pioneering Healthier Communities YMCAs (PHC) from Connecticut are participating this week with eleven like-focused YMCAs from Kentucky and Tennessee in the Pioneering Healthier Communities Coaches Conference of the 2009 cohort of the YMCA of the USA's Healthier Communities Initiative. The conference is being conducted in Arlington, Virginia, within sight of The Nation's Capitol, as the US Congress advances health care reform at the federal level.

Teams of Pioneering Healthier Communities coaches from the Darien Community YMCA, Greater Hartford YMCA, Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA, Wallingford Family YMCA, Greater Waterbury YMCA, and the Wilton Family YMCA are learning under the tutelage of leaders from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Community Initiatives, and the YMCA of the USA.

Funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is supporting a statewide PHC policy change initiative at the local and state level in six states and 32 communities over a period of five years. The aim of this initiative is to address the childhood obesity epidemic through policy and environmental changes that will have implications for communities, states and the nation. A total of 16 YMCAs within Connecticut, Kentucky and Tennessee were selected in 2009.

Pictured are: (L-R) - Audrey Haynes, Senior Vice President / Chief Government Affairs Officer, YMCA of the USA; with members of the Greater Hartford YMCA;s team - Brian Liss, Greater Hartford YMCA; Marco Palmeri, Plainville Health Department; Roger Moss, East Hartford Parks and Recreation; Chris Pallatto, Branch Executive, Wheeler Regional YMCA.

New Britaiin-Berlin YMCA Strategic Planning

The senior management team of the New Britain-Berlin YMCA retreated to YMCA Camp Sloper in Southington, Connecticut to operationalize the Association's new strategic plan. Small group sessions among the staff amplified the strategies and developed action steps to advance the objectives of the Plan.

Milinazzo Appointed To Y-USA Cabinet

Congratulations to Pete Milinazzo, Executive Director of the Newport County YMCA, who has accepted an appointment to the YMCA of the USA Small and Mid-Size YMCA Cabinet.
The Small and Mid-Size YMCA Cabinet is a representative group of YMCA CEOs from Small and Mid-Size YMCAs who are informed about YMCA of the USA activities, served as a sounding board for various YMCA of the USA departments, advocate for similar size YMCAs and their leadership, and support fellow Cabinet members through networking opportunities.
The Small and Mid-Size YMCA Cabinet is comprised of 12-18 CEOs of YMCAs with budgets of less than $4.0 million, representative of the four Regions: Northeast, Midweset, Southeast and West. Members serve a 3-year term oni the Cabinet. Small and Mid-Size YMCAs number 697 out of the 954 associations nationwide (figutres as of April 6, 2009).
Pete presently serves as Treasurer of the Rhode Island YMCA Alliance. [In the accompanying photo, Pete (left) is pictured with a state legislator serving his YMCA community.]

2010 General Assembly of YMCAs

The General Assembly of YMCAs is the premiere celebration of the YMCA Movement in the United States, designed to inspire, rejuvenate and affirm each attendee's passion for YMCA work and provide meaningful connections to others in the Movement. YMCA of the USA hosts the General Assembly every three years. This four-day conference features inspiring speakers and numerous educational workshops, as well as relationship-building opportunities for YMCA staff and volunteers.

The General Assembly is open to all YMCA staff and volunteers in North America and typically has 4,500-5,000 attendees.

The next General Assembly will take place July 8-11, 2010 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Check out the YouTube "Babs" video found on the Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau website - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP9qzeiTHCw

Everything Is Going Swimmingly at the Stamford YMCA

The Stamford YMCA, for the second consecutive summer, has partnered with the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA to bring swimming lessons to Stamford's summer camp program.

The Fairfield branch of the CCC YMCA has provided lifeguard and instructor services during the seven week day camp program.

" As the Stamford YMCA continues to restructure its membership program and building renovations, the summer camp program is flourishing, with growth over the past two summers", says CEO Mark Ketley.

" The assistance from the CCC YMCA with their aquatic staff from the Fairfield branch has been tremendous, it has been great working together to provide these inner city kids the opportunity to learn to swim"

Families Count at the Providence YMCA

The Greater Providence YMCA was selected to receive an Annie E. Casey Foundation FAMILIES COUNT Family Strengthening Award. Only 5 applicants received awards nationally.

The Rhode Island Association received the award in recognition of its LIVESTRONG Cancer Survivor Program. Each award winner will receive $15,000.

The Greater Providence YMCA programs will be highlighted on the www.ymcaexchange.org Family Strengthening programs page as well as in Hotfacts, and other YMCA publications. Each YMCA also will be contacted by the Hatcher Group, which will develop profiles of our award-winning programs for the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the YMCA Movement.

Farewell Tribute To Andrew Roberts

Greater Waterbury YMCA member Norm Feitelson offered a touching tribute to Greater Waterbury YMCA Executive Director Andrew Roberts at a farewell luncheon conducted at the Country Club of Waterbury today. Feitelson, who joined the Gra-Y program at age 7 in 1931, saluted Roberts, who will serve as Y-USA Senior Resource Director commencing August 3rd.

YMCA Resource Director Richard Foot offered an ODE TO ANDREW ROBERTS on this special occasion. . . . .

With pride, it falls to the local Resource Director from Y-USA
To offer a tribute to the departing CEO of the Greater Waterbury YMCA.

However, this day of joy and delight
Is tinged with tears, albeit slight.

For the CEO of this premiere YMCA he has nurtured
Is embarking on an exciting new aspect of his career featured.

Just as the YMCA builds strong kids, strong families and strong communities. [Hey! A commercial is allowed!)
The Greater Waterbury YMCA community can be proud.

For Andrew Roberts has strengthened this Association so bold
And most notably in this YMCA Sesquicentennial year, we are told.

Beyond the Brass City and environs so fair,
Andrew has given leadership in the Connecticut YMCA Alliance so rare.

A learned man – Brandeis and Harvard – for sure.
Now the real education begins on the Y-USA Service Delivery tour.

Now raise a song for Andrew, let hearts and voices blend
To celebrate his praises, whose fame shall have no end.

A YMCA Golfing Foursome

Retired YMCA professional Skip Raymond, Central Connecticut Coast YMCA President Phil Dwyer, Greater Waterbury YMCA Childcare Director Jaime Wilcox, and Regi0nal YMCA of Western Connecticut member Mitch Mizewski competed as a foursome in the Greater Waterbury YMCA's golf tournament at the Country Club of Waterbury today.

Policy Is Powerful

Today the six Connecticut YMCA teams selected as Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant recipients gathered with their Pioneering Healthier Communities collaborators for a statewide Next Steps meeting.

The Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA, one of the six grantees, hosted the Darien Community YMCA, the Greater Hartford YMCA, the Wallingford Family YMCA, the Greater Waterbury YMCA and the Wilton Family YMCA.

Roberta R. Friedman, ScM, Director of Public Policy for the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University, keynoted the conference, with an illustrated presentation titled “Policy Is Powerful” in which she emphasized the shift from “programs” to developing and implementing “policy” related to youth obesity.

Pictured are: [L-R} Roberta R. Friedman, Sam Bechnel, Morag Vance, Mario Garcia, Judy Jameson, Phil Dwyer, Barbara Moore, and Jay Cohen

Red Cube Inspiration

The Red Cube by Isamu Noguchi (1968, red painted steel, Marine Midland Bank - now Brown Brothers Harriman, 140 Broadway, New York) is the backdrop for a gathering of YMCA leaders, engaged in a focus group at the YMCA Retirement Fund offices in Manhattan.
L-R - Vanessa Boulous, YMCA Retirement Fund Senior Vice President for YMCA Relations; Robert Hastedt, YMCA Retirement Fund Director of Education; Chuck Ainsworth, Greater New York YMCA Vice President, YMCA Partnerships; and Ricardo Torres, YMCA Resource Director.
Web research reveals: Aside from its striking color, Red Cube stands out from the surrounding architecture in that all of its lines are diagonals, whereas the buildings are made up of horizontal and vertical lines. Additionally, the sculpture is balanced somewhat precariously on one corner, while the buildings, by contrast, and solidly placed.

Eagle Scout Builds Bridge At YMCA Camp Hazen

YMCA Camp Hazen Executive Director Denise Learned admires the handiwork of a local Eagle Scout, who led a group project to construct a bridge at the independent YMCA camp in Chester, Connecticut.

Archery At YMCA Camp Hazen

Campers at YMCA Camp Hazen in Chester, Connecticut are enjoying the new archery range, constructed on a portion of the 5.5 acres recently acquired by the independent YMCA camp adjacent to its current property. YMCA Camp Hazen has plans for a new bathhouse and an 800 sf addition to its main office building - part of a master plan and capital development program.

YMCA Camp Hazen New England-Style Barn

YMCA Camp Hazen in Chester, Connecticut boasts a handsome new 3,000 sf maintenance facility, of post-and-beam construction, modeled in the New England barn architectural style. The two-story structure, features heated office and maintenance workspace, as well as bays for storage of tractors, lawn maintenance equipment, and heavy equipment. A second story affords ample storage space for supplies and equipment. The design, site preparation and construction, totalling $300,000, was funded with YMCA Camp Hazen's operating reserves.

Chester Cedar Swamp - YMCA Treasure

Walk with me on the boardwalk leading to Chester Cedar Swamp, which is one of the finest remaining examples of an Atlantic White Cedar forest. This breathtaking natural setting at YMCA Camp Hazen in Chester, Connecticut was declared a National Natural Landmark. This type of forest is at risk and being succeeded by hemlock. The Chester Cedar Swamp is adjacent to a 5.5 acre parcel of land recently acquired by YMCA Camp Hazen, as part of the independent camp's master plan of conservation and development.

Greater New York YMCA YouTube Video

YMCA Global Teens is a dynamic youth program which offers teens the opportunity to engage in the powerful journey of global discovery. Since 1996, Global Teens has sent over 700 teenagers to over 26 countries. The impact of the program is profound, and best described in the words of its participants. Check out the latest YouTube video produced by the Greater New York YMCA -

New Canaan YMCA YouTube Video

The New Canaan Community YMCA (New Canaan, Connecticut) has posted a video on YouTube -

YMCA Camp Greenknoll

Day campers at YMCA Camp Greenknoll in Brookfield, Connecticut reveled in the sunshine and warmth of a July day in the Association's spectacular fifty-meter outdoor swimming pool. The Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut's aquatic facility is marking its third season of operation.

The Biggest Dam Movie & Beavers

The award-winning IMAX film - Beavers - The Biggest Dam Movie - came to life for this YMCA Resource Director, when he visited YMCA Camp Mohawk today!

The entrance road to the all-girls YMCA camp in Litchfield, Connecticut was flooded, thanks to the "busy-ness" of a family of beavers.

Camp Mohawk Camp Director Patrick Marchand reports that each morning the Camp management must break up a beaver dam, re-constructed overnight by the industrious swimmers.

"P" Day At YMCA Camp Mohawk

Camp Mohawk YMCA Assistant Director Nadine Thompson modeled one of the many and varied forms of dress during "P" Day at the all-girls YMCA camp in Litchfield, Connecticut.

What is "P-Day", you ask? On this summer camp theme day, everyone wears something which begins with "P" - pink, plaid, purple, pajamas, you get the idea!

New Air Rifle Range at YMCA Camp Sloane

For less than five thousand dollars, YMCA Camp Sloane has a brand new eight-station air rifle range!

The sturdy structure, along with the backstop, were the creation of staff and volunteers at YMCA Camp Sloane, which marks its 81st camping season in 2009.

Camp Sloane YMCA Dining Hall Paddles

Don't try to practice the J-stroke with the paddles mounted on the entrance doors to Camp Sloane YMCA's Barclay Acheson Dining Hall!

These canoe paddles serve as handsome (and handy) door handles, thanks to the creativity of Camp Sloane YMCA Executive Director Paul "Bear" Bryant.

Michael Matson Appointed To Y-USA Task Force

Michael Matson, Immediate Past Chief Volunteer Officer of the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut, has accepted an invitation from the YMCA of the USA to serve on the Y-USA’s Membership Standards and Governance Review Task Force.

The task force will review the YMCA of the USA’s current governance system, eight constitutional qualifications for membership, and constitutional method by which it protects the YMCA name, marks and brands. The task force will make recommendations to the National Board and ultimately to the movement.
A key operating objective of the YMCA of the USA’s 2007 Mission Impact Strategic Plan is to evaluate its governance processes and systems, and make necessary changes to ensure they are representative, efficient, in concert with all regulatory requirements and capable of attracting volunteer leaders commensurate with the movement’s stature as a major not-for-profit organization. A core function of YMCA of the USA is to protect the YMCA name, marks and brands.
This task force will be chaired by Ulice Payne, YMCA of the USA’s newly elected Chair-elect.
Michael is the founder and President of Matson Financial Advisors, a financial investment firm based in Brookfield, Connecticut.
Michael is an active member of The Financial Planning Association, National Association of Tax Professionals and International Association of Registered Financial Consultants. Michael is a graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Business with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in economics and finance. He gained a more global perspective studying economics and international marketing at Tilburg University in the Netherlands in 1983. He currently serves on various Congregational Church of Brookfield committees. He is also an Investment Advisor with the Congregational Church of Brookfield. His commitment to the community is reflected in the local organizations he and his family supports. These include his appointment to The Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut as a member of the Board of Directors where he served as Chairman of the Board from 2006-2009. For over eight years, Michael has also been successful in promoting good sportsmanship and teamwork as an active youth soccer coach.

Willett Earns Mott Scholarship

Nick Willett, Executive Director of the Fairfield Branch of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, has been awarded a $2,500 John R. Mott Scholarship. The Mott Scholarship assists YMCA Senior Directors in continuing their education through graduate study. It was established in honor of John R. Mott, a major YMCA leader for more than 60 years, and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1946. Nick is pursuing his graduate studies at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Judy Jameson CT YMCA Alliance Chair

The Connecticut YMCA Alliance Nominating Committee, chaired by Northern Middlesex YMCA President Frank Sumpter, has announced Judy Jameson, Executive Director of the New Britain-Berlin YMCA, as the Chair of the Connecticut YMCA Alliance. Judy succeeds Greater Waterbury YMCA CEO Andrew Roberts, who recently accepted the position of YMCA Senior Resource Director with the YMCA of the USA.

A YMCA professional for 21 years, Judy first became a part of the YMCA of Greater New Haven at the Soundview Family Branch in Guilford, CT. After five years, she became membership director with the Woodruff Family Branch of the YMCA of Greater New Haven which merged with the YMCA of Greater Bridgeport, creating the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA. Judy became the branch executive director with the Woodruff Family YMCA in 1999 and led that branch for seven years. During this time she oversaw facility renovations which included the construction of a glass enclosure of the swimming pool, renovations of lobby, locker rooms and various program spaces. Judy became CEO of the New Britain-Berlin YMCA in December 2006.

Boothbay Region YMCA Youth Inspire

National award-winning YMCA Arts Program youth from the Boothbay Region YMCA (ME) inspired YMCA leaders this week with a medley of songs from the 1970 musical GODSPELL (based on a series of parables from the Gospel of Matthew). The audience was moved by “Beautiful City”, “Bless The Lord”, “We Beseech Thee” and other inspiring melodies and lyrics.

True Blue Angels

Northeast Region Committee On Membership Standards (RCMS) Chair Esther Pappas and Maine YMCA State Alliance Chair CR Davis were honored for their dedicated service to the YMCA Movement. Both were inducted into the ranks of Honorary “Blue Angels” – the nickname for Y-USA Region One Resource Directors. Esther and CR were presented with baseball caps of the tight-formation flying team of the United States Navy, embroidered with their names.

CT YMCA Property Managers Network

Northern Middlesex YMCA Director of Property Management Bruce Thorstenson (center back row), Chair of the Connecticut YMCA Alliance Property Managers’ Network, facilitated a meeting of the Alliance’s Property Managers’ Network today at the Lakewood-Trumbull Branch of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA.

Our YMCA Property Management professionals are highly-respected for the range of their skills, commitment to the YMCA mission, and teamwork. We value the contribution our Property Managers and Facilities Directors make to advancing the YMCA mission through thoughtful risk management, visionary planning, conscientious attention to details members and program participants value, and their refined trades and skills.

Pictured are (Front row – L-R): Lawrence Holm, Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut; John Looney, Valley Shore YMCA; Ray Perez, Harold F. Woodruff Family YMCA; (Back row – L-R): Todd Mahoney, Wallingford Family YMCA; Bruce Thorstenson, Northern Middlesex YMCA; Peter Range, Lakewood-Trumbull YMCA.

The Connecticut YMCA Property Managers’ Network meets next in September.

61st Season At YMCA Camp Watchaug

Westerly (RI) YMCA Branch Executive Kristin Weber and Property Management Director Steven Zeuli are excited about the opening of YMCA Camp Watchaug in a few weeks, as the Ocean Community YMCA has invested $1 million in the 61 year old camp property on the beautiful shores of Watchaug Pond - a new widened asphalt road into camp, a brand new archery range, a spectacular new amphitheatre overlooking the Pond, and a new well - all part of a multi-year master plan for the American Camping Association-accredited camp.

YMCA Bumper Boaster

For a quarter century Smithfield (RI) YMCA CEO Harold Hemberger has "bumper-boasted" the supremacy of the YMCA.

Coming and going, Harold's vehicle license plate proclaims "YMCA 1" to all in The Ocean State!

Sculling At the Mystic Branch YMCA

The view on this sunny day from the Mystic (Connecticut) Branch of the Ocean Community YMCA (Rhode Island) is spectacular! Tim Babcock, Executive Director of the Mystic Branch YMCA, is standing on the shore of the Mystic River (Williams Bay), where the Mystic Branch YMCA maintains its 28,000 sf facility on 22 acres.

One of the distinctive features of this branch of the Ocean Community YMCA is its sculling program, which features:

A fleet of 12 sculls (with eight additional stored for their owners)
Six Learn To Scull clinics
Youth and Adults Sculling clubs
Engagement in the annual “Mystic Weekend of Rowing” in September
Hosting the Stonington High School’s eights and fours

From this riparian setting, the Ocean Community YMCA operates a summer day camp serving 120-130 youth each day.

Greater Waterbury YMCA Recipient of 1st In Nation AT&T Foundation Grant

The Greater Waterbury YMCA becomes the first charitable organization in the nation to receive a $25,000 grant from AT&T Foundation as part of its 25th anniversary celebration.

Greg Zupkus, a New Haven sales manager, nominated the Waterbury YMCA for the funding.

Four separate $25,000 grants will be awarded this year by AT&T Foundation to organizations in communities where employees live and work. The grants target non-profits in four focus areas: human services, arts and culture, education and the environment.

“We are delighted to name the Greater Waterbury YMCA the first of our 25th anniversary grant recipients,” said Laura Sanford, president-AT&T Foundation. “They are a major asset to the Waterbury community and epitomize the kind of non-profits that our foundation has supported during its lifetime.”

The grant will help the Waterbury YMCA complete a new playground for more than 400 kids who use the facility and its childhood development services.

“This grant will not only help with our playground project, “ said Andrew Roberts, ceo of the Greater Waterbury YMCA, “but having the support of a company like AT&T makes additional fundraising easier for us.”

During the past 25 years, AT&T Foundation and our employees have contributed to the communities where we live and work. Zupkus and the Greater Waterbury YMCA are a perfect example. He first became a member of the Waterbury YMCA more than 40 years ago, having grown up only a few blocks away. Over the years, Zupkus has served on committees, task forces and board of directors for the organization.

“Greg is an outstanding volunteer,” said Roberts. “He is unselfish, works hard and uses his community relationships to gain much-needed support for our organization.”

Roberts Tapped For Y-USA Post

Andrew Roberts, Executive Director of the Greater Waterbury YMCA, has been selected as YMCA Senior Resource Director for YMCA of the USA Region One – the Northeast. Andrew succeeds Vanessa Boulous, who accepted the post of Senior Vice President for YMCA Relations at the YMCA Retirement Fund on June 1st.

Since April of 2003 Andrew has served as the Executive Director of the Greater Waterbury YMCA (www.waterburyymca.org ), with corporate offices in Waterbury, Connecticut. Andrew currently chairs the Connecticut Alliance of YMCAs, a volunteer responsibility to which he was elected in 2006.

Prior to his YMCA service, Andrew was a senior consultant at PriceWaterhouse in Chicago in the firm’s global health care consulting practice, and previously was a Vice President for Business Development at Alloy, Inc, in New York City.

As YMCA Senior Resource Director Andrew Roberts will manage a team of ten YMCA Resource Directors, as part of the Y-USA Service Delivery system to the eleven states in the Northeast, from Maryland to Maine. The Northeast Region One encompasses 239 YMCAs with 624 branches in the eleven-state region.

A 1991 graduate of Brandeis University, Andrew earned a Master of Human Service Management (MMHS) from the Heller School at Brandeis in 1992, and a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard University in 1996.

A resident of Middlebury, Connecticut, Andrew is married to Mimi Rivard, and is the father of two children – Simone, 7 and Andre 4. Andrew currently serves on the Waterbury Hospital Board of Directors, as Vice Chair of the Prevention Policy Board for City of Waterbury, and is a Greenway Advisory Council member.

In his free time, he coaches wrestling at Pomperaug Regional High School and rides his mountain bike whenever he can! Andrew enjoys participating in triathlons and spending time with family in Rhode Island.

Andrew will commence his national YMCA service on August 3, 2009.

Andrew Roberts can be reached at: aroberts@waterburyymca.org or at 203-754-2181 Extension 102.

AYP Chapter 3 Annual Recognition Luncheon

The membership of Association of YMCA Professionals Chapter 3 celebrated the achievements of its Rookies, "Stars" and YMCA professionals with Distinguished Program Achievement. Mike Miller, Associate Executive Director of the Newport County YMCA, chaired the Recognition ceremonies conducted at the Seaman's Inne in Mystic, Connecticut on June 4th.

Honored were:

Rookie of the Year: Jay Jaranko, Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA
John Saucier, Wheeler Family Branch of the Greater Hartford YMCA

YMCA Star Award: Nina Milinazzo, Newport County YMCA
Steve Zeuli, Ocean Community YMCA
Chrissy Cassesse, Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA

Distinguished Program Achievement Award:
Sue Rumanoff, Northern Middlesex YMCA
Kathy Welles, Greater Waterbury YMCA

Golden Pen Award: Andrew Roberts, Greater Waterbury YMCA

Anthony Grandazzo's AYP Retirement Tribute

AYP Chapter 3 members feted Anthony Grandazzo, Senior Vice President of the Northern Middlesex YMCA (Middletown, Connecticut) on June 4th at the Seaman's Inne in Mystic, Connecticut on the occasion of Anthony's impending retirement after 31 years in the YMCA profession. Anthony has served as AYP Chapter 3 treasurer and on the Chapter Steering Committee in years-past.

Northern Middlesex YMCA President Frank Sumpter presented Anthony with a framed Perspective magazine cover "photo-shopped" to pay tribute to the dedicated YMCA professional.

Pictured are (L-R) - Northern Middlesex YMCA President Frank Sumpter and Anthony Grandazzo

The Value of AYP Membership

Retired YMCA professional Doug McLeod, former Southington YMCA CEO, shared his thoughts on the value of membership in the Association of YMCA Professionals (AYP) at the 2009 Awards Luncheon of AYP Chapter 3 in Mystic, Connecticut on June 4th.

Now a resident of St. Augustine, Florida, Doug McLeod is Co-President of a Florida Chapter of the North American Fellowshop of YMCA Retirees. McLeod began his YMCA career in 1958 in Quincy, Massachusetts and retired after 34 years. Doug cited YMCA colleagial support, professional development and networking as the benefits of AYP membeship.

Pictured are (L-R) - Doug McLeod, and Mark Pooler, Chair of the Membership Development Committee of AYP Chapter 3, and Executive Director of YMCA Camp Sloper.

Hiring For Relationship Building

Marie B. Miszewski, President and CEO of the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut, keynoted the AYP Chapter 3 June meeting and awards presentation conducted on June 4th at the Seaman's Inne in Mystic, Connecticut. The 27-year YMCA professional spoke on "Hiring For Relationship Building".

Pictured are (L-R) - Wendy Stevens, AYP Chapter 3 President, Branch Executive of the Cheshire Branch of the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA, and Marie Miszewski.

Forty Year Dream of YMCA Comes True

After four decades, the Shoreline area of south-central Connecticut will have a sparkling new YMCA in June of 2010. Central Connecticut Coast YMCA Soundview Branch Executive Director Doug Shaw reports that the official ground-breaking for the new 35,000 square foot facility will be conducted on Wednesday, June 17th at 11:00 AM at the YMCA site on Route 1, just off Exit 56 on I-95.

The five Shoreline communities of Guilford, Branford, North Branford, Madison and East Haven have sought such a community facility for over forty years, reports Doug Shaw. It is apparent that the community is behind the YMCA development project, as Shaw indicates that $8.2 million has been raised, against a total project cost of $12 million.

Today the YMCA property was BUSY with bulldozers, steam shovels, and dump trucks – it made Richard Scarry’s “Busytown” children’s books come alive! The Soundview Branch facility will feature two pools (warm water and competitive), a wellness center, and a teen and older adult center.

Doug Shaw reports that 34 donors make up 94% of the $8.2 million raised to date. Those 34 gifts range from $25,000 to $2.5 million.

Notably, the Soundview Branch’s annual support campaign, during the capital campaign period has RISEN from $20,000 to $80,000 this year!

Meriden YMCA To Host Wind Turbine At Camp

The Meriden YMCA's Mountain Mist Day Camp has been selected to host one of two wind turbines under the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund's Small Wind program. The Meriden YMCA was one of three finalists selected from among thirty-five respondents to the CCEF RFP.

The Meriden YMCA site offers significant public exposure because it hosts upwards of five thousand 5th graders each year and because it offers an opportunity to communicate the benefits of wind energy in an age-appropriate means to an even broader audience.

The Small Wind Turbine Demonstration Program will operate and monitor four different wind turbine technologies at different locations across the state. It will allow the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund to evaluate the types of turbines, wind conditions, and installation options in order to design an optimal CCEF rebate program for residential applications.

For more information, contact Meriden YMCA Executive Director John Benigni.

Y-USA General Counsel Keynotes RI Alliance Key Leaders' Dinner

YMCA of the USA General Counsel Angela Williams keynoted the Rhode Island YMCA Alliance Key Leaders’ Dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick this evening. Angela amplified her message on best practices in YMCA governance by facilitating a workshop titled “Non-Profits in the Spotlight: How Governance, the Economy and Community Needs Intersect”. There are approximately 1.8 million tax-exempt organizations in the United States representing 3.4 trillion dollars in assets. In the midst of a global financial crisis, rising unemployment and concern over Americans’ health and well-being, YMCAs must seize the opportunity to have greater impact in their local communities with less resources. At the heart of a strong vibrant non-profit is a compliant organization that promotes transparency, accountability and good governance.

The title of Angela’s keynote address at dinner was “National Positioning: Enhancing YMCAs' Response to Community Needs in Tough Times”.

Pictured are (L-R) - Steve Palmer, National YMCA Board Member; Angela Williams, Y-USA General Counsel; Karen Leslie, President, Greater Providence YMCA and Chair of the Key Leaders' Dinner

RI YMCA Alliance Honors David Devault

Rhode Island YMCA Alliance Chair David Devault (right) was honored by the State YMCA Alliance for his “years of dedicated service, passionate leadership, and tremendous generosity in support of the mission of The State Alliance of Rhode Island YMCAs”. Presenting this tribute to Dave was Kelly Sheridan, Vice Chair of the Rhode Island YMCA Alliance.

Greater Provicence YMCA CEO Karen Leslie Chairs Key Leaders' Dinner

Among the 112 in attendance at the 2009 Rhode Island YMCA Alliance Key Leaders' Dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick were Karen Leslie, President of the Greater Providence YMCA and Key Leaders’ Dinner Chair, and Greater Providence YMCA Board Chair Amy Page Oberg.

Rhode Island YMCA Alliance CEOs

CEOs of YMCAs in Rhode Island gathered with Alliance Chair Dave Devault (third from right). Pictured (L-R) are George Brainerd, CEO, Woonsocket YMCA; Maureen Fitzgerald, CEO Ocean Community YMCA; Pete Milinazzo, CEO Newport County YMCA; David Devault; Karen Leslie, CEO, Greater Providence YMCA; Ess McNulty, CEO, Pawtucket and Central Falls YMCA. [Managing the Key Leaders’ registration table at time of photo was Harold Hemberger, CEO of the Smithfield YMCA.]

Pioneering Healthier Communities

Barbara Moore (right), Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Grant Initiative Project Manager for the Connecticut YMCA Alliance, this evening briefed the Alliance’s Public Policy Committee on this exciting new initiative, which applies the “facilitated community leadership model” – proven effective in the Pioneering Healthier Communities program – to form coalitions, collaborations and partnerships with the objective of creating state-level policy change, with a focus on physical activity and healthy eating to address childhood obesity in Connecticut. The Connecticut YMCA Alliance is one of three YMCA State Alliances selected from among twenty eligible state alliances to apply for this grant.

The Public Policy Committee of the Connecticut YMCA Alliance is overseeing this grant initiative, as a significant public policy initiative of the Alliance. The Public Policy Committee is chaired by Morag Vance (left). Central Connecticut Coast YMCA President Phil Dwyer (center) serves as Committee Vice Chair.

Barbara reports that preliminary indications are that ten Activate America ® Capacity-Building YMCAs intend to apply for the RWJF grant, the deadline for which is May 22nd. This week the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA was designated by the YMCA of the USA as a Pioneering Healthier Communities Mentoring YMCA. For more information on this initiative, contact Barbara Moore at bmoore@cccymca.org

Got Volunteers?

The Connecticut YMCA Alliance Branch Executives and Associates Network (BEAN) conducted its inaugural workshop today at the New Britain-Berlin YMCA. Two dozen YMCA Branch Execs and senior managers gathered for a volunteer and board development workshop titled "Got Volunteers?" led by YMCA Resource Director Melanie Roth. As a YMCA Resource Director Melanie serves YMCAs in southeastern Pennsylvania.

The Connecticut BEAN is chaired by Chris Pallatto, Branch Executive of the Wheeler Regional YMCA (GHYMCA). Serving on the BEAN Steering Committee are Mark Pasquairello, Branch Executive with the New Britain-Berlin YMCA, and Jeff Williams, Branch Execuive with the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA.

L-R: Mark Pasquariello (New Britain-Berlin YMCA), Alan Mogridge (Central and Northern Westchester YMCA), Sean Doherty (Wallingford Family YMCA), Joanne Cerrutani (New Canaan Community YMCA), Sally Miller (Wheeler Regional YMCA / GHYMCA)

Ninety From Four States Attend CT RTE

Ninety YMCA professionals from four states (CT, RI, MA and NY) participated in the Connecticut Regional Training Event conducted April 29 and 30 at the Holiday Inn in Waterbury, Connecticut. In addition, five YMCA Trainer Candidates were enrolled in this RTE, thereby strengthening the YMCA of the USA's Leadership Development and Training corps.

Pictured are (L-R): Back Row - Karen DiGiralomo, Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA; Barbara Glaude, Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA; Christina Simms, Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA;
Front Row - Wendy Stevens, Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA; Patrick Connolly, Northern Middlesex YMCA; Rhino Merrick, Camp Hazen YMCA

Volunteerism Subject of CT RTE

Greater Hartford YMCA East Hartford Branch Executive Brian Liss (left) and YMCA Camp Hazen Executive Director Denise Learned teamed to present the Volunteerism workshop at the Connecticut YMCA Alliance Regional Training Event, conducted at the Holiday Inn in Waterbury, Connecticut today. Hats off to all YMCA professionals who gave leadership to this Regional Training Event!

AYP Chapter Three To Meet in Mystic

SAVE THE DATE for the AYP Chapter 3 meeting on June 4th at the Mystic Seaman's Inn. AYP Chapter 3 President Wendy Stevens, Cheshire Branch Executive Director in the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA (center), AYP Chapter 3 EAF Chair Patrick Connolly (left), and AYP Chapter 3 Membership Chair Mark Pooler (right) are looking forward to seeing you in Mystic, Connecticut!

YMCA Camp Mohawk Swings Wide The Gates To Its 89th Season

YMCA Camp Mohawk, in Litchfield, Connecticut, swings wide the gates to its 89th season in a few weeks. Patrick Marchand, Camp Director, ably assisted by Associate Camp Directors Nadine Thompson and Kristin Judd are excited about the new "Cowgirl Camp" and "Family Camp". The trio report 104 new "fans" on the YMCA Camp Mohawk Facebook page. YMCA Camp Mohawk is currently engaged in an Outcomes Measurement project regarding the "soft skills" learned by young women in this all-girls YMCA summer camp.

YMCA Leadership Development and Training

YMCA of the USA Vice President for Leadership Development and Training Terri Radcliff (center) met today with leaders of the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA, a Y-USA-designated Training Partner YMCA serving YMCAs in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Accompanying Terri on her whirlwind tour of southern New England YMCAs were Judy Jameson, CEO of the New Britain-Berlin YMCA (left) and Andrea Vignali, Y-USA Northeast Regional Training Manager (right).

Thomas Valentine Sullivan

"He was shipwrecked in the Antarctic, fell from a yard and was nearly killed; was attacked by pirates off the coast of Brazil; by the timehe was thirty-three he had made a fortune and lost it. Nonetheless, Thomas Valentine Sullivan's most long-lasting accomplishment was . . . he founded the YMCA in the United States."

From "Seaman Extraordinary" by Leonard M. Snyder
_____________________

A Boston sea captain and missionary, Thomas Valentine Sullivan was inspired by stories of the YMCA in England. With six colleagues, Sullivan called the first meeting leading to a constitution, and on December 29, 1851, the YMCA began at the Old South Church in Boston.

Central Connecticut Coast YMCA President Philip J. Dwyer, researching family genealogy recently, came across Thomas Sullivan's grave marker in the Woburn, Massachusetts cemetery. [See accompanying photograph provided by Phil Dwyer.]

YMCA Camp Sloper Celebrates 60th Anniversary

YMCA Camp Sloper, the day camp and outdoor center of the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA, is marking its 60th Anniversary!

Walk into the Southington YMCA facilities this week and you will be impressed with the “sea” of orange tee-shirts and polo-shirts emblazonied with the YMCA Camp Sloper logo (it’s as if you were at Syracuse University!).

Photo (L-R): John Myers, Executive Director; Lynette Ferguson, Director of Membership; and Tony Palmieri, Chief Operating Officer of the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA.

CT YMCA RTE Slated for April 29 & 30 in Waterbury

The Connecticut YMCA Alliance Membership and Program Network steering committee met today to advance the final planning for the Regional Training Event which will be conducted in Waterbury April 29th and 30th.

Participating in today’s session were: Meg Ballard, Karen Backus, Melanie Carfore, Patrick Connolly, Kathe Davies, Steve Gionfriddo, Mark Pooler, Tony Sharillo, Shannon Silver, Christina Simms and Jamie Wilcox.

Rhode Island YMCA Alliance Advocacy Day 2009

Under the banner of “Healthy Choices”, YMCA leaders across The Ocean State gathered at the State House in Providence today for the 2009 Rhode Island YMCA Advocacy Day. YMCA youth leaders from the Pawtucket and Central Falls YMCA greeted members of the Rhode Island General Assembly, presenting them with pedometers and charts noting the number of steps (and calories burned) from the House and Senate Chambers to various locations in the State House.

Rhode Island YMCA leaders presented their legislators with YMCA portfolios, which included a Rhode Island YMCA Alliance Fact Sheet, Activate America literature, an America On The Move Adult Step Conversion Chart, 100 Ways To Eat Healthier, and Healthy Family Home booklets.

Photo: Representative of all six Rhode Island YMCAs, Newport County YMCA Executive Director Pete Milinazzo (left) met with Rhode Island State Senator Louis P. DiPalma (Democrat - District 12, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton) at today’s Rhode Island YMCA Alliance Advocacy Day at the State House in Providence.

Schools, Rec Departments, Health Agencies, and YMCAs Collaborate

Emblematic of the collaboration inherent in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Healthier Communities Initiative is the statewide leaders gathered today in Cheshire, Connecticut to advance the Pioneering Healthier Communities funding opportunity.

L-R: Jason Cohen, CPRP, Colchester Parks and Recreation, representing the Connecticut Recreation and Park Association; Sam Becknel, Jr., MPA, Project Manager for the Activate America Healthier Communities Initiatives; Dr. Michael Buckley, Connecticut Association of Schools; Andrew Roberts, Chair, Connecticut Alliance of YMCAs; Philip J. Dwyer, President, Central Connecticut Coast YMCA; Eugene Nichols, Health Program Associate for Nutritionj, Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention Programs of the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Healthier Communities Initiative

Today the Connecticut YMCA Alliance Activate America ® Capacity-Building YMCAs (and those aspiring to be so) for a Technical Assistance Meeting, to prepare YMCAs across The Constitution State to assemble funding proposals under the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Pioneering Healthier Communities Initiative. YMCA State Alliance collaborators – Connecticut Association of Schools, Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association, and the Connecticut Departments of Public Health – shared in the leadership of this highly-interactive conference, hosted by the Connecticut Association of Schools.

Connecticut Department of Public Health Deputy Commissioner Norma Gyle keynoted the morning program, emphasizing the epidemic of chronic disease in the state. Dr. Michael Buckley of the Connecticut Association of Schools stressed the power of collaboration among public schools, municipal recreation departments and YMCAs. Connecticut YMCA Alliance Chair Andrew Roberts, CEO of the Greater Waterbury YMCA, highlighted the opportunities YMCAs have to shift the prevailing culture to one with greater emphasis on healthy lifestyles. Jay Cohen, President of the Connecticut Recreation and Park Association, introduced the audience to the concept of the “default option”, as communities make it easier for individuals to “choose healthy”.

Philip Dwyer, President of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, who is vice chair of the Alliance’s Public Policy Committee, organized today’s session and gave leadership to the conference program.

Activate America ® Project Manager for Healthier Communities Initiatives, Sam Becknel, Jr., MPA, offered a national perspective on the unique opportunity presented to the Connecticut YMCA Alliance to address one of the most pressing society issues confronting the United States.

Commendation to the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, Darien Community YMCA, Greater Hartford YMCA, New Canaan Community YMCA, Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut, Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA, Valley Shore YMCA, Wallingford Family YMCA, Greater Waterbury YMCA, Westport / Weston Family YMCA, and the Wilton Family YMCA for participating today.

[L-R: Howard Thiery, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Southington, CT;
Bill Marci, Director of Recreation, Southington, CT;
Joe LaPorte, Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, Southington, CT;
Tony Palmieri, Director of Operations, Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA;
Wendy Stevens, Branch Director, Cheshire YMCA, Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA;
Karen DiGirolano, Health and Wellness Director, Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA]

CT YMCA Alliance Marketing Committee

Natalie Zembrzuski, Director of Marketing for the Greater Hartford YMCA (center), is chairing a Connecticut YMCA Alliance Marketing Committee, formed to shape a statewide YMCA positioning program for the Alliance. Joining Natalie in the first meeting of the Committee are Chris Pallatto, Wheeler Regional YMCA Branch Executive Director (GHYMCA), and Angie Matthis, Director of Marketing for the Greater Waterbury YMCA.

Vanessa Boulous Feted By Y-USA RCMS

Thanks to Mike Repass we have an electronic archive of the recognition accorded YMCA Senior Resource Director Vanessa Boulous by the Northeast Regional Committee on Membership Standards at its semi-annual meeting in Boston this week.
Vanessa has served as primary staff liaison to the Y-USACommittee on Membership Standards, and has recently accepted a senior management post with the YMCA Retirement Fund.

Passing The Gavel in Brookfield

Michael Matson, Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut outgoing Board Chairman, left, hands the gavel to newly elected Chairman Robert D. Belden, Jr., right. Mr. Belden was elected Chairman at the YMCA's Annual Meeting on March 30, 2009. Also elected to the Board at this meeting were: Jim Arconti, David Dear, Sharon Dornfeld, John Dulina, Paul Loftus, John Madzula, Jay McDougall, Wendee Nussle, Mark Propper and Mitch Weston.

Partnership To Fight Chronic Disease

The Connecticut Alliance of YMCAs was represented today in ceremonies at the Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford at the launch of the Connecticut Chapter of the Partnership To Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD). The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease is a national, bi-partisan coalition of patients, providers, community organizations, business and labor groups and health policy experts committed to raising awareness of the policies and practices that save lives and reduce health costs through more effective prevention and management of chronic disease.

Pictured are (L-R): Gary Kozak, Member of the Connecticut YMCA Alliance Public Policy Committee; David L. Katz, MD, MPH, FACPM, FACP, Director of the Prevention Research at Yale University School of Medicine; Gail Hannon, Director of Health and Wellness at the Norwalk YMCA; Cindy Armijo, Executive Director of the Norwalk YMCA, and member of the Connecticut YMCA Alliance Public Policy Committee; and Philip J. Dwyer, President of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, and Vice Chair of the Public Policy Committee of the Connecticut YMCA Alliance.

Dr. Katz, who keynoted the Connecticut YMCA Alliance Annual Meeting a year ago, asserted that we must all "part the veil of statistical anonymity", and put a human face on the leading cause of death in this country. Katz emphasized that chronic diseases - heart disease, stroke, diabetes - can be controled through behaviors - stopping smoking, proper nutrition, and regular physical activity.

Dr. Paul Bluestein, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of ConneciCare, Inc. urged all in attendance "to assist Connecticut residents in making the very difficult decisions and behavior changes which lead to healthier lives." Daniel Torres, President of the Latino American Chamber of Commerce of Connecticut, noted that the incidence of chronic disease in the Latino population far exceeds this demographic group's 9% of the population.

Tragedy In Binghamton, New York

The thoughts and prayers of YMCA leaders across the nation are with the residents of Binghamton, New York, as this community heals following the tragic shootings at the American Civic Association.

Broome County YMCA President Rick Peterson tells us:

"The YMCA is about six blocks form were this happened. The tragic event has brought a crush of media to the community that are only seeing the negative and not what is good about the area. However we will get through this and I'm sure the community will be strong in the end. "

I am confident that the Broome County YMCA will play a significant role in the healing going forward.

Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut Elects Board

Congratulations to the ten newly elected members of the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut Board of Directors. The attached picture was taken at the Association's Annual Meeting on Monday. Seated, left to right, in the front row: Jay McDougall, Mark Propper, Sharon Dornfeld and Paul Loftus; and in the second row, John Madzula, Mitch Weston, David Dear, John Dulina and Wendee Nussle. Missing is Jim Arconti.
The Regional Board now seats 31 community leaders, YMCA advocates and business professionals. This is the largest board in the association’s history; a real testament to the spirit of the YMCA.

Rhode Island YMCA Alliance Key Leaders' Dinner

The Rhode Island YMCA Alliance is proud to feature Angela F. Williams, YMCA of the USA Senior Vice President and General Counsel, as the keynote speaker and workshop presenter at the 2009 Rhode Island YMCA Alliance Key Leaders’ Dinner.

The YMCA Key Leaders’ Dinner, to which ALL YMCA leaders (Board members, volunteers, YMCA staff, et cetera) are invited, will be conducted on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza At the Crossings (801 Greenwich Avenue in Warwick, Rhode Island).

Angela will present an informative educational workshop at 4:30 PM titled “Nonprofits In The Spotlight: How Governance, The Economy and Community Needs Intersect”. Learn how YMCAs can make a greater impact in their community with fewer resources through good governance, accountability and transparency.

Angela’s keynote address is titled “National Positioning: Enhancing YMCA’s Response To Community Needs In Tough Times”.

CT YMCA Alliance Financial Development Network

The Financial Development Network of the Connecticut Alliance of YMCAs met on March 27th at the Lakewood-Trumbull Branch of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA.

The Financial Development Network is chaired by Bob Spencer, Director of Development of the Northern Middlesex YMCA. Serving on the Steering Committee of the Network are Pamela Hearn, Vice President for Financial Development of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, and Donna Ayer, Director of Development of the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCAs.

The next meeting of the Financial Development Network is scheduled for July 17th, when the workshop theme will be "Technology and Fund Development". The July meeting will be hosted by the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCAs at its corporate offices in Southington.

Solution Circles Featured at FD Network Meeting

Tim Bartlett, Executive Director of the Bridgeport Branch of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, Karen Strickland, Director of Development at the Wilton Family YMCA, and Charlie Clifford, Executive Director of the Harold F. Woodruff Branch of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, facilitated "solution circle" discussions among YMCA professionals engaged in financial development at the March 27th meeting of the Connecticut YMCA Alliance Financial Development Network.

Solution Circle themes featured were: Face-To-Face Meeting Tools and Tips, Donor Recognition and Stewardship, and Marketing Your Campaign.

One Hit & One Miss In Fund Development

Pamela Hearn, Vice President for Financial Development at the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, Susan Joyse, Vice President for Advancement at the Greater Hartford YMCA, and Bruce Watrous, Director of Development at YMCA Camp Hazen, offered an engaging panel presentation on "One Hit and One Miss in Fund Development" at the March 27th meeting of the Financial Development Network of the Connecticut Alliance of YMCAs.

The trio of experienced financial development professionals shared successes and "learnings" with YMCA colleagues gathered for this statewide network of development professionals. The half-day meeting was hosted by the Lakewood-Trumbull Branch of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA.

Activate America New England Regional Forum

The YMCA of Greater Springfield (MA) hosted a New England Regional Forum for YMCAs in Waves 1, 2 and 3 which are engaged in Activate America Capacity Building. Among the fifty-plus present were YMCA staff from the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, YMCA of Greater Hartford, Wilton Family YMCA, the Wallingford Family YMCA, and the Greater Providence YMCA.

Activate America is a YMCA of the USA initiative to address the epidemic of poor nutrition and unhealthy lifestyles in the country. This highly-interative and participatory forum engaged YMCA leaders in addressing:

How to integrate Activate America into our work
How to keep Activate America and Capacity Building in thte forefront of all staff
How can we maximize Listen First?

YMCA Friends

New Britain-Berlin YMCA Board Member Archie Savage, who served on the Board of the YMCA of the USA from 2000-2004, chatted with Retired New Britain-Berlin YMCA CEO Doug Bray at the 125th Annual Meeting of the YMCA of New Britain-Berlin.