Triangle: Fall 2013 by YMCA of Snohomish County

the

Triangle Your YMCA at work in the community

fall 2013

BUILDING STRONG AND BRIGHT FUTURES Starting school can be exciting and scary for both students and their parents. And even more so if those students have never had a preschool opportunity to prepare them for what’s ahead.

We believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. To help reduce the learning gap, especially with lower income families, or those with English as a second language, the Monroe/Sky Valley Family YMCA offers the Jump Start program. Jump Start classes are held the end of August so that lessons learned are fresh in the minds of the kindergarteners when they began school in September. Classes prepare incoming kindergarten students who have had no preschool experience prior to starting kindergarten. Students learn basic school expectations such as standing in line, waiting for their turn, raising their hands, and sitting with legs crossed. In addition, the classes focus on academic readiness reviewing numbers, give parents the opportunity to ask questions letters, and sounds. and get feedback from experienced parents “Without practice of these simple skills, and educators. these children are “Students learn the routines of set up for more It really helps them kindergarten, practice knowing where redirection as soon build confidence everything is within the classroom and as they start kinschool, and work out the separation and understanding dergarten instead anxiety within a small class size and of learning,” said of kindergarten. without the whole school in operation,” Robin Fitch, Frank said Jeff Presley, Fryelands Elementary Wagner Elementary School principal. “It really helps them build School principal. “Attendance is another confidence and understanding of kindergarten.” thing that children from less privileged

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families don’t understand is important for school success. Having Jump Start class three days a week for three weeks is great practice for attendance.” Jump Start also has a parent education element. Parent classes are created to provide parents the tools to work with their kids at home to help them with the transition to school. These classes also

Sometimes student learning challenges can also be identified before the school year begins so that the family can work with school professionals to receive the appropriate help. This happened this past session when it was discovered that a student had hearing issues. Jump Start is supported by United Way, the Monroe Public Schools Foundation, and donations to the YMCA annual campaign.

In this Issue: • Jump Start • President’s Perspective • Member Survey • Gear Up & Go • How to Become a Big or Little • Snohomish Aquatic Center • 204 Miles of Fun • Chair's Round Table Donors • Casino Road Scholars • Assets in Action • March on Washington • Operation352 • Positive Impact in Stanwood/Camano • Sharing Their Passion • Armed Services YMCA

Financial Assistance: The YMCA of Snohomish County makes every effort to ensure that no person, especially youth, will be denied access to programs and membership because of financial hardship. The YMCA's Financial Assistance Program is supported by contributions to our annual campaign and United Way.

Mission Statement: The YMCA of Snohomish County is composed of people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and religious affiliations united in sharing the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility through programs that build strong kids, strong families and strong communities.

Everett Family Branch 2720 Rockefeller Ave. Everett, WA 98201 425 258 9211

Marysville Family Branch 6420 60th Drive NE Marysville, WA 98270 360 653 9622

Mill Creek Family Branch 13723 Puget Park Drive Everett, WA 98208 425 337 0123

Monroe Family Branch 14033 Fryelands Blvd. Monroe, WA 98272 360 805 1879

Mukilteo Family Branch 10601 47th Place West Mukilteo, WA 98275 425 493 9622

Stanwood-Camano Family YMCA Organizing Committee

President’s Perspective

Scott Washburn

At the Y, strengthening the foundation of community is our cause. Every day, we work side by side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

our resources and those of partnering organizations, while addressing gaps between community needs and resources.

Strengthening community is a large focus I think you’ll find from reading this issue of the Triangle that our community of our 2012-2014 Strategic Plan. We collaborations are strong and everknow that this work cannot be done growing. From our work with the alone; we must partner with other great Snohomish County Health community organizations Leadership Coalition to to affect positive change provide all fifth grade in our community. We know that this students in Snohomish “Building Together” work cannot be County with free YMCA is one of the plan’s done alone… access; our partnership strategic impact focus with the Monroe School areas. The goal of this District to prepare incoming focus area is to inspire ourselves kindergarteners through the Jump Start and community partners to maximize program, and our work with many expertise and resources for the community partners for the March on betterment of all. To do this we must Washington event. These are just a few stimulate a culture of collaboration of the many programs and collaborations and shared learning. that strengthen our community. A second focus area is “A Y Without I’m so grateful for our members, donors, Walls.” Here, our goal is to fulfill our staff, and volunteers who continue to mission by intentionally extending support the Y, bringing our mission to programs and services beyond the life every day. As Helen Keller once said, confines of our facilities. We continue “Alone we can do so little; together we to develop a program delivery model can do so much.” I think this says it all. that best stewards

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8823 Viking Way Stanwood, WA 98292 360 629 9622

Big Brothers Big Sisters 2722 Colby, Ste. 200 Everett, WA 98201 425 252 2227 The Triangle is published quarterly by the YMCA of Snohomish County to update friends and donors about YMCA news and events. Colleen Temple, editor, 425 374 5738 or ctemple@ymca-snoco.org If you wish to be removed from the maiing list, please call or email the editor. For more information on YMCA programs and services, visit www. ymca-snoco.org Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/ymcasnoco Watch us on YouTube: youtube.com/ymcaofsnohomishco

HOW ARE WE DOING? Your YMCA is a community organization, built and sustained by the individuals who participate in and rely on the Y for youth development, healthy lifestyle choices, and opportunities for stewardship. The YMCA staff value the perspectives of our member community.

which will be either sent via email or mailed to your home address. Some of you will receive a survey packet and some won’t, this doesn’t mean we don’t value all of your opinions, we just need to keep the survey random to have valid, reliable feedback.

While many of you provide us with anecdotal feedback regarding your experiences at the Y throughout the year, we feel it is important to actively solicit feedback each year to best understand how our members feel about their Y experience.

If you receive a survey packet, we ask that you honestly provide your feedback and promptly return the survey before Nov.12.

This fall the YMCA of Snohomish County is conducting its annual Member Satisfaction Survey. Members will be randomly selected during the month of October to receive the survey,

This is your opportunity to let us know what we’re doing well and what we can work on. Your input will help the YMCA strengthen our community through programs and services that support youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

THE TRIANGLE

| A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y

HOW A BIG BECOMES A BIG AND A LITTLE A LITTLE MAKING ACTIVE PLAY MORE FUN FOR KIDS As part of the Snohomish County Health Leadership Coalition, the YMCA of Snohomish County, together with the Dale Turner Family and Northshore branches of the YMCA of Greater Seattle, is providing all 5th graders (in participating schools) with free YMCA youth membership during the 2013-14 school year as part of the new Gear Up & Go! program. Students will receive a Sqord PowerPod to track their activity. Sqord is one part social media, one part game platform, and one part fitness tracker. Kids will Gear Up with the PowerPod and Go have fun and get active. Sqord connects kids to a fun social platform that inspires, tracks, and rewards everyday physical activity. While at the Y, youth in the program can take group exercise classes, play in the pool during open swim times, play racquetball, and access our Youth Development Centers. There will also be specific weekly activities planned for Gear Up & Go! participants. In addition,

participants in this program have special access to equipment that other kids their age do not. The Snohomish County Health Leadership Coalition is working to address critical challenges to sustainable healthcare in our community with one of the primary focuses being on youth activity. “We are engaging leaders from across our community to develop local solutions to a national crisis,” said Scott Forslund, Director, Snohomish County Health Leadership Coalition. “Our goal is to engage all fifth graders in Snohomish County and promote better health, academic performance, and lifelong healthy habits with a unique initiative to reverse the downward trend of youth exercise/activity.” Through Gear Up & Go! up to 10,000 youth in Snohomish County will have free access to YMCA facilities for healthy living activities.

Before we make a match at Big Brothers Big Sisters, we do our homework. After someone expresses an interest in becoming a Big, they go through an extensive background check and careful interview process. Then we match Bigs and Littles based on location, personalities, and preferences. We provide full support from the start, so matches can grow into lasting, fruitful friendships. It’s important to note that the entire matching process is made possible through donations —we can’t do what we do best without them! What’s a Big and Little to do? Each match is unique. Getting together doesn’t require a special occasion or expensive activity—just a few hours every month doing things the Little and Big already enjoy. For example: • Playing catch • Reading books • Getting ice cream • Going to a museum • Providing advice and inspiration For more information on how you can become a Big or donate to BBBS, call 425 252 2227 or visit bbbs-snoco.org.

BIG NEWS

BBBS HAS MOVED Big Brothers Big Sisters recently moved to a new office in downtown Everett. The new address is 2722 Colby Ave., Suite 200, Everett 98201. Phone numbers and email addresses will remain the same. 3

COLLABORATIONS MAKE THE COMMUNITY STRONGER Snohomish School District has partnered with the YMCA of Snohomish County to help prepare for the Snohomish Aquatic Center’s early 2014 grand opening. Once it is open the Y will continue to manage the facility for the school district. The Aquatic Center, which is being constructed with funds from the Snohomish School District’s 2008 Capital Projects Bond, will continue to remain a school district facility. The Snohomish Aquatic Center will have three pools, including a competitive pool with a dive area, ten lanes, and bleachers for 420 spectators. The recreational pool area includes a warm-water therapy area, surf-simulation machine, lazy river, and water slide. The facility,

which will also include locker rooms and a family changing area, is expected to host a variety of classes, events, and activities. “As we work to finish construction on our district’s Aquatic Center, I’m excited about our collaboration with the YMCA of Snohomish County,” said Dr. William Mester, Superintendent of the Snohomish School District. “We value the YMCA of Snohomish County’s operational expertise in helping us get our Aquatic Center up and running for the 2014 grand opening. This partnership will help strengthen our relationship with the Snohomish community to provide recreational and competitive aquatic opportunities for all.”

“This partnership will help strengthen our relationship with the Snohomish community to provide recreational and competitive aquatic opportunities for all.”

For more information or to sign up for the electronic newsletter visit snohomishaquatic.com

204 MILES OF FUN In July three members and two staff from the Marysville YMCA participated in the annual Seattle-to-Portland Bike Ride. The team trained about six months getting ready for the ride. When you sign up for this event you are given the option to ride the whole 204 miles in one day or break it up into two days. They chose the two-day version with a twist. The twist was that instead of staying the night at the midway point in Centralia, they chose to ride 137 miles on the first day and stay at Castle Rock High School. This made for a much shorter and nicer 67-mile ride on the second day.

Here are a few thoughts shared by the team: Rod Boswell: The STP is quite an experience and made better by my fellow Y team members who were there to share stories, laughs, and most importantly encouragement.

Debra Boswell: For someone who didn’t start exercising until a few years ago, I’m really excited that I was able to complete the STP and with a great team that was cheering me on the whole way, even up all of those horrible hills that they forgot to mention (that was said jokingly). Russ Nordquist: I’m grateful to be blessed with good enough health to prepare and proud to have accomplished this feat. I have a new appreciation for my friends. My riding partners on the STP weekend made the journey a good one. Ronda Hardcastle: This was the best STP ride out of my three. We trained better, started earlier and had a fun Y group to ride with. Next up RSVP! (Ride from Seattle to Vancouver and Party)

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This was my second STP ride and I had a blast with our group!

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[Pictured from left to right: Russ Nordquist, Rod Boswell, Debra Boswell, Ronda Hardcastle (Health & Wellness Director), Anthony Schmidt (Member Services director)]

Anthony Schmidt: I most enjoyed not telling Debra about all of the hills she would encounter on the ride. All joking aside, this was my second STP ride and I had a blast with our group! I felt much more prepared this year as I am 40 pounds lighter this year, and had many more training miles logged. Those gruesome and challenging hills from last year that I tried to block out of my memory were not nearly as gruesome this year. If you’re interested in participating in a cycle ride, contact Anthony or Ronda at the Marsyville Family YMCA.

THE TRIANGLE

| A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y

OUR WORK IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF YOU! The YMCA of Snohomish County is grateful for the individuals, families, and businesses whose pledges to the Annual Campaign make our work with young people possible. During the 2013 Annual Campaign, 2,929 donors raised $1,264,201 to support and strengthen our community. Limited space precludes listing the names of every donor. Donors listed here contribute $1,000 or more annually and are members of our Chair’s Round Table. Giving Levels Platinum Triangle $10,000 & above Gold Triangle $5,000 - $9,999 Silver Triangle $2,5000 - $4,999 Bronze Triangle $1,5000 - $2,499 Benefactor $1,000 - $1,499 *Indicates gift designation to two or more Branches. TRUSTEES Platinum Triangle ($10,000+) AMT - A Division of Senior Operations LLC Applied Technical Services Bank of America Foundation Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation The Boeing Company Premera Blue Cross Wells Fargo Anonymous Gold Triangle ($5,000-9,999) BCRA Jerry Brim & Phyllis Turner-Brim The Daily Herald Company Everett Clinic Fluke Corporation Kaye Smith Key Bank Business Banking Leslie & Doug Lauer Opus Foundation Precor Incorporated Providence Regional Medical Center Everett Matt & Keely Reinhard

Richard & Paula Stetler Tulalip Resort Casino Union Bank Waste Management Northwest, Inc. Whidbey Coffee Company Silver Triangle ($2,500-4,999) Monti Ackerman Richard & Mary Brannon Business Controls, Inc Coastal Community Bank Coastwide Laboratories Rick Cooper & Robin Hilton Joyce Eleanor The EverTrust Foundation GLY Construction, Inc. Tonia & Jerry Goodwin Group Health Cooperative Light Doctor, LLC Mutual of Enumclaw Insurance Company National Maintenance Contractors, LLC Puget Sound Kidney Center Quality Business Systems Scott & Krista Sadler Scott & Cheryl Washburn Western Facilities Supply Roy & Barbara Yates Bronze Triangle ($1,500-2,499) Aviation Partners Boeing Brenda Baltrusch & Steve Sjoberg Jerry & Sue Beavers Butler Trust Chandler Family Clark Nuber, PS Rick Cooley & Lindsay Butler Susan Cournoyer Tracy & Mark Cumming

Bob & Lizbeth Dobler Everett AquaSox Doug & Robin Ferguson JR Abbott Construction Mark & Paula Mantei Marketing Intelligence Jackie & Hugh Minor John & Shirley Mohr Orca Pacific Pacific Copy and Printing Pemco Corporation Bill & Marcella Reed Service Solutions Richard N. & Mayumi Smith Stephen C. and Josephine J. Saunders Foundation Harry Stuchell The Collins Group Stan & Sheila Tiemens Vine Street Investments Carol Whitehead Michael & Mary Zubovic Benefactor ($1,000-1,499) American Eagle Roofing LLC Anderson Hunter Law Firm Virginia Antipolo-Utt & Chris Utt Judy Collins Baker Phil & Scuttle Bannan Banner Bank Tom & Nikki Braaten Bill & Amy Burton Jeff Capponi Gary & Sue Cohn Dr. Jack & Marilyn Courrier Mrs. Dan Duryee First Choice Health Network Scott & Gayle Forslund Richard & Barrie Galanti Gamut360 Holdings, LLC

Gerald K. and Virginia Hornung Family Foundation Greenview Landscaping Norma Haines John & Vicki Haskell Dr. Jean Hernandez & Erin Foy Ken & Renae Kettler Kirtley-Cole Associates LLC Bob & Kathy Leach Liberty Northwest Insurance Andy Lubresky Dr. Richard M. & Katherine M. Lyons Thomas & Mary Maxwell Mercer New Concept Chemical Products LLC Mike & Melissa Olejniczak Dawn Ollar / KeyBank Paul & Charisse Pitre John & Suzanne Rettenmier Edward & Renee Rosenbach H. Stewart Ross Tracy Russell Salinas Construction, Inc. Idamae Schack Mary Smith & Family Jim & Susan Sporrong The Temple Family Wells Fargo Don & Debbie Whitfield Whitfield’s United Ins. Agencies Stuart Wohler Carl Zapora & Cheryl Foster Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects LLP Mark Zinkle Scott Zwink

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS Gold Triangle ($5,000-9,999) Comcast Fluke Corporation Silver Triangle ($2,500-4,999) Gail Evert Wayne Lockett Terrence Nevins Rod & Denise Pleasant Anonymous Bronze Triangle ($1,500-2,499) Mitch & Marianne DePriest Everett Clinic Dan & Ash Gunderson Keg Spirit Foundation Leslie & Doug Lauer Todd Rosenfelt Gary & Debbie Stratton John & Dana Tubbesing Benefactor ($1,000-1,499) Melanie Hancock Matt Holttum Joseph Martinez Molly Ringo & Brad Wiens Neely A. Stratton Renee & Tom Valenti Paul Whitmire EVERETT FAMILY BRANCH Platinum Triangle ($10,000+) City of Everett Howarth Trust Fund Gold Triangle ($5,000-9,999) Bill & Katie Finley Thomas & Meridith Little

THE TRIANGLE

Silver Triangle ($2,500-4,999) American Distributing Company Danen & Heather Barnhart Todd & Catherine Havener Beverly Miller Ron & Karen Moore Rubatino Refuse Removal, Inc. Kelly Shepherd Ray & Mary Sievers Brooks & Carol Walton The Wenta Family Bronze Triangle ($1,500-2,499) Michael & Lisa Ankrom Dr. Jeff Boggs Darlene & Denny Brawford Celebrate! Catering, Inc. Pat Chambers-Allendoerfer James Courrier, DDS Gary Doughty Brian & Tracie Evans Hatloe’s Carpet One Michael Millie Sean & Florence Pickard Anonymous Benefactor ($1,000-1,499) Chris & Megan Adams Alf Forde Enterprises, Inc. Dennis Block Thomas & Jane Collins Paula & Don Dillinger Everett Invest in Youth Wine Tasting Event Everett Rotary Youth Foundation The Fagerberg-Biladeau Family Mike & Maggie Faulkner Tom & Sue Gaffney Brian & Connie Hallgarth Hunter Leasing, Inc. Jeanne Lavell Dr. Stephen J. Lee Moss Adams, LLP Daniel Murphy The Raqueteers Dr. Katherine Runyon & Carl Nelson Gael Thomson Morrie Trautman Andrea & Paul Wells-Edwards Dr. Clay & Hap Wertheimer Western Washington Medical Group Crispin S. Wilhelm, M.D. Anonymous - 2

MARYSVILLE/NORTH COUNTY FAMILY BRANCH Platinum Triangle ($10,000+) Hearthstone Housing Foundation/ Vintage Housing The Travis Family Tulalip Tribes Charitable Fund Gold Triangle ($5,000-9,999) Mike & Margaret Fiorito Marlin Fryberg Dr. Anthony Roon & Kathryn McPherson Roon Windermere Foundation Silver Triangle ($2,500-4,999) Steve & Dru Miller for American Distributing Company George & Hoa Appel Ray & Sheryl Fryberg Ronda Hardcastle Kurt & Sharilyn Lippmann & Family Beverly Miller Ross A. & Susan Miller Loren & Kristen Van Loo Anonymous Bronze Triangle ($1,500-2,499) Brian & Kathy Kalab Dwayne & RoseMary Lane Peter & Catrina Millikan Stephen & Donna Muller Chuck & Audrey Pilon Anonymous - 2 Benefactor ($1,000-1,499) Apollo Plumbing LLC Jim & MaryAnn Ballew Debbie Barger Smith & Stephen Smith Jason R. Bourne, DDS, MS The Bredereck Family Browns Plumbing JJ & Patrice Frank Marjorie Grubbs Sean & Rebecca King Kiwanis Club of Marysville Dr. Kim & Julie Kron Robert & Jane Roe The Schlosser Family Anne Scott Seth Sharp Soroptimists International of Marysville Phil & Kim Trueax

Whitfield’s United Ins. Agencies Anonymous MILL CREEK FAMILY BRANCH Silver Triangle ($2,500-4,999) Crane Fund for Widows and Children Jason Lucas & Misty Graf Mill Creek Rotary Northwest Sports Photography Peter Zieve Philanthropy Fund Bronze Triangle ($1,500-2,499) GLY Construction, Inc. Andrew Siguenza Kyla Smith Whole Foods Benefactor ($1,000-1,499) Awards Service, Inc. Pirri Badenhop Nancy Johnson Shirley Kinsey Timothy W. Patterson Dawn Sykes MONROE/SKY VALLEY FAMILY BRANCH Gold Triangle ($5,000-9,999) Margaret Bridge Rotary Club of Monroe Silver Triangle ($2,500-4,999) Eiron & Patsy Cudaback Hans & Martha Dankers Priscilla & William High Providence Regional Medical Center Everett Bronze Triangle ($1,500-2,499) Jo Ann Carbonetti Cavassa and Associates Linda Cline & Jim Carr CLIX Portrait Studios Peg Ferm Jason & Elizabeth Gamble Tod & Margaret Johnson Kaufman Chiropractic Clinic - Monroe Jerry & Melissa Keating Sally King & David Demarest Kohl’s - Snohomish, WA Mike & Jan Liepman Dr. Richard & Donna Lowell

| A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y

Monroe / Sky Valley Food Bank Monroe Digital Copy Rosemary O’Neil & Grenville Legge Rhino Manufacturing Inc. Sam’s Cats and Dogs Debbie & Mac Taylor Shauna Vernal Benefactor ($1,000-1,499) Allstate Insurance Co. BDA, Inc. Bill and Jean Higgins Family Limited Partnership Charitable Trust Paul & Nancy Cavassa Wendy & Derek Coffman Janna Dmochowsky Donald Kim, D.D.S Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Jeff & Eileen Hambleton Ken & Kim Hoover Keith, Laura, Sarah & Andy Johansen Brett Johnson Kaufer Vending Mark & Tammera Mason Monroe Kiwanis Deb Nalty & Jeff Shober Jose Mata & Kathy Pinson Pete & Cindy Sandford Jeffrey Singson U’SAgain, LLC MUKILTEO FAMILY BRANCH Platinum Triangle ($10,000+) John & Ann Collier George R. Kendall Foundation Gold Triangle ($5,000-9,999) Peter Zieve Philanthropy Fund South Everett Mukilteo Rotary Club Whidbey Coffee Company AA Party Rentals-MLT Silver Triangle ($2,500-4,999) Martin Cross Intermec Corporation Klein Honda Opus Foundation Whidbey Island Bank Bronze Triangle ($1,500-2,499) Cafés Inc. DBA Mukilteo Speedway Cafe

E.N.D. Group, Inc. Thomas & Susan Gaskin Hogland Transfer Company Jean McKay Northwest Duty Free Stores Northwest Sports Photography Papa Murphy’s Pizza Ken & Joyce Pascoe Dr. Mark & Michelle Valentine Whole Foods Benefactor ($1,000-1,499) Greg Abbey Dr. E. Scott & Jane Casselman John Cramer & Suzanne Poppema Dr. Jacquiline De Leon-Estes Bob & Paula Driessnack Jeff & Kathy Dunleavy Herb & Robin Fox Mark & Elaine Gerspacher John & Vicki Goodwin Tonia & Jerry Goodwin Mark & Marla Gregory Carol & George Holser Dennis & Kathy Hutton Kiwanis Club of Mukilteo Brian Larson Michael Longoria John & Karen Lovick Jeff Mitchell Carrie Mygatt & John Herrera Newtech Communications James & Jama Rand Megan & Chris Reed Janelle P. Rucker Steve & Kim Sant Joan Sato-Hernandez & Marvin Hernandez Michael & Kathleen Sierra Russell Smith Walters & Wolf Curtain Wall, LLC Ali & Ric Williams Steve Wolf George Youngstrom STANWOOD-CAMANO Platinum Triangle ($10,000+) Stanwood Community Ministries Anonymous Bronze Triangle ($1,500-2,499) Craig & Rose Olson

THE TRIANGLE

| A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y

EDUCATION IS POWER Funding from United Way will help support a new program to broaden our impact on Casino Road. The Casino Road Scholars (CRS) is an exciting and free mentoring program starting in the 2013-14 school year based out of Horizon Elementary. The program will provide additional academic support year-round by a certified teacher for students in fourth or fifth grade struggling to succeed in school. Students who participant in the program will achieve these four main goals: • Improvement in standardized math and reading test scores. • Improvement in school attendance. • Improvement in one letter grade in key subjects (language arts and math). • Improved attitude towards school.

“Our staff is very excited about this program,” said Leslie Clauson, Horizon Elementary School principal. “Every day, teachers observe students who struggle. They know that something is wrong and that kids need extra help. How does an educator know where to seek help in their community for these needs? This program will connect kids to an additional layer of social and academic support not available in the past. Students struggle in their learning when basic survival needs – food, clothing and shelter – are not addressed and caring adult relationships are not available to them to fulfill their needs. This program will focus on relationships, basic needs, and high expectations for academic achievement.” Additionally, students participating in the program for a full year will experience

increased academic achievement; reduced risk-taking behavior; increased connection to their school and community, and greater awareness of colleges and career opportunities and the vital role that education plays in preparing them for a bright future.

ASSETS IN ACTION Tips for Raising Culturally-Aware Kids We all know it’s important to prepare our children to thrive in an everchanging and increasingly-diverse population. And doing so can be a balancing act between maintaining pride and love for one’s own culture while remaining curious, tolerant, and accepting of those who are different from us. Ultimately, the goal for any parent trying to raise culturally aware kids is to equip them with the attitudes and skills necessary to be able to live together peacefully with others, even amidst differences. Consider these ideas (from experts as well as from other parents) to introduce your child to other cultures and to teach them to respect the differences they will surely encounter as they continue to grow and learn.

Tips for parents with children under the age of 5

Give them opportunities to be around others. Kids in this age group are

fearless. Having your child around others and showing (or practicing) your comfort level with all kinds of people sets the stage for acceptance.

Tips for parents with children ages 6 to 9

Teach them to be respectful in learning names. Don’t take the shortcut and “Americanize” a name. Teach your child to say it correctly. Let the person know you want your child to say his name the right way, and ask him to say it slowly and repeat it if necessary.

Tips for parents with children ages 10 to 15

Use food as a way to learn about other cultures and traditions. Look at how homes take a common food, like rice, and make it in different ways. Spice it up at home with different recipes and verbalize the connections to the cultures that make rice that way. You can also hit up different booths at festivals, or

go out and experiment – try new foods (sushi, noodles, eat with chop sticks).

Tips for parents with children ages 16 to 18

Teach them to ask questions and not just assume. Sometimes language is the only barrier between people; it’s not intelligence, just language. Pictures, gestures, and a sense of humor can help greatly when working to overcome language barriers. And don’t forget: just because someone has an accent doesn’t mean you have to speak louder or more slowly to him. Don’t assume! For example, one mom, Meredith, tries to teach her kids not to assume anything about customs. At their school, some girls wear head covers. She encourages her girls to seek to understand why they wear them by asking questions: What does it mean? Why do you wear one? Do you even have an option to not wear it? Excerpt taken from ParentFurther, a Search Institute resource for families.

SNOHOMISH COUNTY REMEMBERS MARCH ON WASHINGTON August 28, 2013, marked the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The march, which became a key moment in the growing struggle for civil rights in the United States, culminated in Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. With a commitment to social responsibility, the YMCA of Snohomish County, in collaboration with many community partners, organized a night of remembrance and celebration to honor this important historical event. It was an evening of sharing, poetry, proclamations, memories, and song— an evening of commemoration and

celebration through speeches representing “Yesterday’s Wisdom,” “Today’s Focus” and “Tomorrow’s Dreams.” “This was the first time in Snohomish County history that so many organizations and institutions came together to plan such an event, recognizing the need and importance for a more unified movement and stronger collaboration to truly meet the needs of all members of our community,” said Tami Farber, YMCA of Snohomish County, Director of Community Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion and Education. “The YMCA is committed to be at the forefront of all countywide efforts towards social

responsibility and was proud to be a key player in this event.” Event co-sponsors included the YMCA of Snohomish County, NAACP, Communities of Color, Tulalip Tribes, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Medical Reserves Corps, Everett Community College, Edmonds Community College, Snohomish County Labor Council, City of Everett, City of Lynnwood, YWCA, and the League of Women Votes. All of the collaborating partners express tremendous gratitude for the true sense of “harambe” (Swahili for “we all pull together”) that transpired through the partnering efforts.

OPERATION352 INDOOR SKATE PARK a 30-foot mini ramp with 3-to-5 foot sections, as well as incorporate other smaller features, in order to provide youth of a variety of abilities the chance to hone their skills in a positive, supervised space year-round.

The goal was based on a simple need: provide the youth in our community with 352 days of skating each year. Each year more than 800 youth from the Mukilteo community and Puget Sound area come to “The Muk,” our famous 19,000 sq. ft. outdoor skate park. Unfortunately, these youth have nowhere to go during our typical 170 days of inclement weather or rainy days. So Operation352 was born. The plan is to build an indoor skate park that will boast

This dream will come to fruition before the end of the year thanks to the support of nearly 100 donors who collectively raised more than $25,000 to build the indoor skate park. “The variety and diversity of donors is proof that our community supports the goal to provide a safe place for indoor skating for our youth,” said Kristin Ebeling, Skate Park and Teen Programs Director at the Mukilteo Family YMCA. Now that fundraising is complete, the construction phase is about to begin. The Mukilteo YMCA Youth Development Center (YDC) will be closed starting September

30 in order to begin remodeling the space. A temporary YDC will be open in the Family Room, so youth will still have a place to hang out after school during the construction period. Official construction will take place for several weeks, with a Grand Opening celebration to take place in December. With the opening of the new indoor skate facility, we will also be presenting a vast array of new programs to begin in early 2014. Volunteers with rough and finish carpentry experience are needed, as well as a variety of other tasks including painting and cleanup. If you are able to pledge your time to help with this project during our building timeframe, please contact Kristin Ebeling at 425 294 2405, or kebeling@ymca-snoco.org. 9

THE TRIANGLE

| A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y

SHARING THEIR PASSION Y ELECTS OFFICERS, BOARD MEMBERS

“The YMCA is grateful to these individuals who donate their time to our success…”

Each branch of the YMCA of Snohomish County is governed by a Board of Directors which is comprised of approximately 15-25 community members who are dedicated to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Trustee Board, comprised of community leaders as well as the chairpersons from each of the branch boards, oversees the operations and strategic planning of the entire Association. The YMCA is grateful to these individuals who donate their time to our success and well-being and who go beyond their duties by volunteering for many special events and projects. The following members were elected to the Board of Trustees as Board Officers for 2013-2014: Chair, Leslie Lauer, The Boeing Company; Vice Chair, Matt Reinhard, Rhino Ventures, LLC; Vice Chair, Dr. Gary Cohn, Everett Public Schools; Secretary, Brenda Baltrusch, Well Fargo; Treasurer, Tracy Cumming, Precor Incorporated; Vice Treasurer, Brian Evans, Bauer Evans, Inc. PS/BondStreet Wealth Management, LLC; Past President, John Haskell, Wells Fargo Insurance Services Northwest, Inc. Re-elected to the Board of Trustees besides Brenda Baltrusch, John Haskell and Leslie Lauer were: Fred Safstrom, Housing Hope; Mike Zubovic, Aviation Partners Boeing; Don Whitfield, Whitfield’s United Insurance Agencies Inc.; Phyllis Turner-Brim, Invention Law Group. Newly elected to the board are: Darren Redick, Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, and Norm Walker, Harris Rebar/Central Steel. Representing Branch Boards as Board Chairs are: Everett YMCA, Steve Miller, American Distributing Company; Marysville/N. County YMCA, Loren Van Loo, Edward Jones Investments; Mill Creek YMCA, Andy Siguenza, Crane ELDEC Corporation; Monroe/ Sky Valley YMCA, Martha Dankers, Martha Dankers Consulting; Mukilteo YMCA, Herb Fox, Community; and Big Brothers Big Sisters, Dan Gunderson, Windermere Real Estate.

Andy Siguenza

Brenda Baltrusch

Gary Cohn

Tracy Cumming

Martha Dankers

Brian Evans

Dan Gunderson

John Haskell

Herb Fox

Leslie Lauer

Darren Redick

Matt Reinhard

Fred Safstrom

Steve Miller

Phyllis Turner-Brim Loren Van Loo

For a complete list of the Board of Trustees visit ymca-snoco.org/about.

Norm Walker

Mike Zubovic

THE TRIANGLE

| A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y

POSITIVE IMPACT CONTINUES IN STANWOOD-CAMANO Susy Lawler is the new program director for Stanwood-Camano’s YMCA programs. Having assisted with the USDA- funded and school districtsponsored free meals program offered during 2012, she was sold on the impact the Y makes on local families and wanted to continue her involvement. “I just feel really connected to this community,” Lawler said. “When I wore the Y T-shirt in town, everybody would say, “‘Oh, you’re with the YMCA? We need a YMCA here!’” Lawler recently graduated from Western Washington University with

a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. She is As the new school year starts, she’s launching the second year of the from Marysville, one of three children Y-Achievers program at Port in her family. Her Susan Middle School. The Mexican-born I just feel really program is modeled after the mother taught her YMCA’s very successful Spanish and they connected to this Minority Achievers Program celebrate the holicommunity. (MAP). Last year in days and culture Stanwood-Camano, the of her native middleschool program served country. “It’s a big about 15 students, who all received part of our life,” she said. Lawler also homework help, performed community thinks it’s going to help her connect service, and zwent on fun outings. with the Latino members of the One parent noted a definite boost Stanwood-Camano community, who in her child’s academic performance often make up as much as one-third after joining Y-Achievers. The program of the summer activities participants. will also be offered at Stanwood High School.

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NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID EVERETT, WA PERMIT NO. 134

YMCA of Snohomish County 2720 Rockefeller Ave. P. O. Box 419 Everett, WA 98206-9923

ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS HELP EASE THE BURDEN The YMCA of Snohomish County and the Marysville Family branch would like to thank and acknowledge the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) for its continued financial support. In 2013, the ASYMCA provided $21,000 in funding to support programs offered to military families through the Marysville Y. These programs include: Child Care, Enrichment Camp, Y on Wheels, Community Swims, and Military Family Nights. These essential programs help ease the burden of military families dealing with the deployment of one or both parents. For more information regarding ASYMCA programs, contact Allison Hoot, ahoot@ymca-snoco. org or 360 651 1607

CONNECT WITH US Stay connected with your Y! Each branch of the YMCA has its own Facebook page and monthly electronic newsletter. Join the conversation at your branch by visiting ymca-snoco.org/connect or by scanning the QR code.

Upcoming events Thanksgiving November 28 all branches closed Holiday Heritage Dinner December 10 MAP Black Tie Gala January 11, 2014