DONOR FOCUS Fall 2014 Newsletter from the Rye YMCA MAKING CONNECTIONS FOR A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY “[The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program] has the potential to reach enough people to make a significant difference in America’s diabetes epidemic.” “At a YMCA Near You, a Course for a Diabetic Nation” In early July, The New York Times highlighted the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program in its “Fixes” column. A regular feature of the Times’ online Opinionater blog, Fixes “looks at solutions to social problems and why they work.” The author, Pulitzer Prize winning writer Tina Rosenberg, visited one of our YMCA DPP classes at Open Door Family Medical Centers in Port Chester, speaking with program participants and Open Door patient advocate Rolando Alvarez. The Rye Y launched the YMCA’s DPP in July 2011. Since then, 72 individuals have enrolled in the program, many of them finding it “lifechanging.” To read the full article, search The New York Times YMCA online or contact Sally Wright at sally@ryeymca.org or 9676363, ext.202 for a copy.
If there’s one thing Dalys Bayne has learned in her role as a Rye Y Community Health Worker, it’s that making connections takes time and persistence. Phone calls and e-mails don’t work; community outreach takes showing up—at church services, food pantry lines, senior center luncheons and ESL classes. And that’s exactly what Dalys has been doing over the past six months. Born in Panama City, Panama, Dalys was raised in a bilingual household where her parents spoke both English and Spanish. Although she took high school courses to become a bilingual secretary, she looked north for better opportunities. In 1978, Dalys immigrated to the United States, settling on Long Island where she eventually found a satisfying career in community outreach for a healthcare organization.
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HEALTH FAIR PROVIDES SCREENINGS, EXHIBITS AND FUN True to its mission, Healthier Mamaroneck--a Y-led committee of the Mamaroneck Cares Coalition--held a fun and educational day of health awareness on Saturday, June 14. An estimated 200 residents of Mamaroneck and other Sound Shore communities attended the Access to Care Fair, which was held at Mamaroneck Avenue School and organized by the Rye Y, the Hispanic Resource Center and several other community partners. Adults took advantage of health screenings and informational exhibits while children enjoyed dancing, games and healthy snacks. By mid-afternoon when the fair ended, 393 screenings had been conducted in the school’s multi-purpose room, in mobile clinics in the parking lot, and in more private hallways. Dental screenings were the most popular stop on the circuit, followed by a paper and pencil test for pre-diabetes and blood pressure testing. People who were found to have health concerns or risks were referred for follow-up care. Laura Tiedge, the Rye Y’s Senior Director of Healthy Living and chairperson of Healthier Mamaroneck, remarked “We wanted to give people the opportunity to look at their health in a holistic way, and to learn about the many services that exist in their community. We hope that we’ve inspired people to take control of their health and to seek out whatever care they and their families need.”
The RYE YMCA is a family oriented community service organization which welcomes all people and promotes positive values through programs that build spirit, mind and body. Questions, concerns, or ideas for future articles? Please contact Sally Wright, Development Director at (914) 967-6363 x 202.
DONOR FOCUS * FALL 2014
SUMMER CAMP 2014!
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1,200 campers made friends, learned new skills and built confidence. Families chose from a range of camp options, from sports to Lego, Kinder Camp to Discovery Camp to Teen Adventures. Over 200 counselors ages 16 – 25 went through 25 hours of training to become role models for young people. The Rye Y awarded over $226,000 in summer camp scholarships.
“Thank you all for [my daughter’s] camp experience this year. She came away from camp feeling respected, appreciated and safe every day. When describing what she learned, she stated teamwork, how to listen better and to take care of herself and others. Thank you for your care and dedication.” -Note from a 2014 camper’s family
DONOR FOCUS * FALL 2014
SAVE THE DATE!
MESSAGE FROM GREGG HOWELLS Dear Friends of the Y,
Christopher D. Mello Golf Outing Monday, October 6th The Apawamis Club
Enjoy a relaxing fall afternoon of golf followed by cocktails, dinner and a raffle at our much-celebrated 20th annual golf outing at the historic Apawamis Club in Rye. Register at www.ryeymca.org/golf
The Rye Y’s Centennial Gala to Celebrate 100 YEARS! Saturday, October 25th 6:30 - 11:00 pm The Performing Arts Center Concert Hall Purchase College Honoring our Gold Spirit Award Recipients:
Lucien D. Burnett III Pati Holmes The Gold Spirit Award is the highest award for volunteer service to the Rye YMCA and is chosen by a committee of past recipients.
Paul Reiser
Entertainment by Comedian, Actor and Author Paul Reiser of “Mad About You” fame. Cocktails, seated dinner, silent and live auctions. For more information, visit www.ryeymca.org/gala or contact Margaret Mead at margaretmead@ryeymca.org or (914) 967-6363, ext. 403.
At the Rye Y, we’re proud of the work we do every day, both in and outside the walls of our building. So it’s a real pleasure to share news of our accomplishments with the people who help make it happen: our donors. I hope you enjoy this newly launched donor newsletter, written with your interests and concerns in mind. For this first issue, we’ve focused on our community health initiatives alone with information about the Rye Y’s Centennial celebrations and new board members. However, we want to hear from you for future editions. We hope that this publication will help open the door to ongoing conversations and deeper engagement with your Y. Sincerely, Gregg Howells, Executive Director
MAKING CONNECTIONS (cont. from page 1)
In that role, Dalys worked hard to ensure that low-income residents knew about programs such as Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus and Medicaid. “I went to health fairs, schools or wherever there was an opportunity to tell people about the low cost or free medical insurance that was available to those who qualified,” she noted. After 20 years with the same company, 14 of which were spent marketing government programs, Dalys moved to Mamaroneck to be closer to family. In 2013, a meeting with a staff member at the Hispanic Resource Center led Dalys to the Rye YMCA. In 2012, the Rye Y had received a $130,000 Community Transformation Grant from the Centers for Disease Control. This seed funding allowed the Y to forge new partnerships in Mamaroneck and Port Chester with the goal of connecting low-income AfricanAmerican and Latino adults and families with opportunities for healthier living. The following year, the Y received additional funding from the Westchester Community Foundation that allowed the organization to hire two community health workers. With her fluency in two languages and her experience with public health outreach, Dalys was the perfect fit for the new part-time position. One of the key priorities of Dalys’ job is to reach out to specific populations—senior citizens, day laborers, parents and the faith-based community—to raise awareness about the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). Any adult who is found to be at risk for developing type 2 diabetes will have the opportunity to enroll in a Spanish or English YMCA DPP class at the Y or at Open Door Family Medical Centers in Port Chester. To help with this work, Dalys has been building vital partnerships with the Carver Center, Hispanic Resource Center, Don Bosco Community Center, the LarchmontMamaroneck Hunger Task Force, WESTCOP, WESTHAB, local churches and others. Asked about her motivation, Dalys explained “I’m a people person. I enjoy speaking with people, learning what matters to them and pointing them in the right direction. Being able to help is important to me, even if it’s just helping an elderly person carry her groceries.”
CENTENNIAL CAMPAIGN In late 2013, the Rye Y quietly launched a special Centennial Campaign to raise $3 million. More than just a rainy day fund, the Rye Y’s Centennial Campaign will provide us with the resources to meet the dynamic needs of our community today, tomorrow and for the next 100 years. We are thrilled to announce that we have raised $1.9 million so far! We are exceedingly grateful to the Y leaders, donors and community members whose vision and hard work have brought us this far. If you would like to know more about our Centennial Campaign or any of our other upcoming events, contact Sally Wright at ext. 202 or sallywright@ryeymca.org.
RYE YMCA
21 LOCUST AVENUE RYE, NY 10580 914.967.6363 www.ryeymca.org
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The Y. So Much More
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GIVE. AND DO SO MUCH MORE.
At the Y, we strengthen communities by ensuring our neighbors have the same opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. We welcome all and offer financial assistance to those who otherwise could not participate. From A to Z, our programs help people work towards a better future.
WE’RE MORE THAN YOU KNOW. WE’RE A CAUSE.
Fitness
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MEET OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS
As a principal owner of Tyre & DeThomas, a Rye-based law firm, Frances DeThomas brings valuable legal experience to the board. Although she lives in Katonah, Fran is deeply rooted in Rye. She is the past president of the Rye Rotary Club and a previous member of the Rye Y’s Executive Committee. She has also served on the Executive Committees of the Family Law Section of the NY State Bar Association and the Family Law Section of the Westchester County Bar Association. She is a former Vice President of the Westchester Women’s Bar Association. When she’s not working in her Purchase Street office, Fran enjoys exercise, reading, visits to the beach, gardening, travel and the NY Yankees. Recently married to John Randolph, she also has a new stepson, Austin, age 7.
Doug Donohue comes to the Y’s board with an impressive resume in community service. A founder and vice chairman of the Resurrection School Foundation, Doug also served on the school’s Finance Committee and on the board of the Rye Free Reading Room. For ten years, he coached Rye Little League and Rye Babe Ruth baseball teams; for five of those years, he also coached Rye Youth Lacrosse. He currently contributes his time and talents to Church of the Resurrection where he chairs the Parish Council. Doug, his wife Courtney, and children Nicholas, 20; Tray, 17 and Lily, 14; enjoy the Y’s Wellness Center, swimming, and gymnastics. In his professional life, Doug is an investment banker and CEO at Excel Partners in New York City.
Rye resident Uma Khemlani is a mom with a mission to serve. Uma has been an active and energetic presence on numerous Rye organizations-from leading committees at Osborn Elementary School to serving on the Rye Y’s Auxiliary Committee, where she helped with the March Madness fundraiser and the Rye Derby. In addition to community service, Uma enjoys dancing, Zumba classes at the Y, reading, tennis, golf and spending time with her husband, Sanjeev and their daughters, Anya and Zara. Uma received a B.A. in International Politics from Wesleyan University and has lived in New York, Singapore and Hong Kong.
A partner in a Larchmont law firm, Elizabeth Tremain also brings to the board a background in public relations and fundraising. She currently runs Annual Giving campaigns at Rye Country Day School and Winward School and has been involved with the Larchmont Temple and Hebrew Home. Liz lives in Mamaroneck with her husband Ken and children Kate, 21; Max, 19 and Jack, 13. While the entire family has enjoyed swimming at the Y, Liz also counts triathlons, yoga and skiing among her activities. She is committed to Alzheimer’s and cancer research and looks forward to bringing her time and energy to the Y board.
A former Vice-President of Marketing for Pernod Ricard USA, Chris Willis received his Bachelor’s Degree and a diploma in Marketing in the United Kingdom. He lives in Rye with his wife Gail and sons Andrew, 17 and Mark, 15. Both Chris and Gail make regular use of the Y’s gym. Gail also takes group exercise classes and his sons spent several years perfecting their martial arts moves in karate classes. Chris’s interests include golf, tennis, skiing, general fitness, wine and spirits, dining out and travel. He looks forward to serving on the board to help further the mission of the Y!