OMAHAWORLD-HERALD
YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA
150 YEARS OF PROVIDING FIRSTS
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Serving, striving and strengthening together By Dan Mccann
youth programs
Special for the ymca
It’s the 5-year-old learning that she can, in fact, hold her breath under water. It’s the personal trainer teaching a 40-year-old man the proper way to do a burpee and otherwise achieve his fitness goals. It’s the full-time mom volunteering to coach — and corral — her child’s second-grade basketball team. To be sure, it — the YMCA of Greater Omaha — is a collection of facilities — 10 locations across four counties in eastern Nebraska and southwestern Iowa. But it’s also an ever-evolving blend of programming that supports the nonprofit’s three key pillars: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Perhaps more than anything, the YMCA of Greater Omaha is collaboration come to life. It is people — staff, volunteers and more than 60,000 members — who are serving, striving and strengthening together, contributing their unique perspectives to a story that dates back 150 years. “We have amazing assets across the metro area, but ultimately we’re about making a difference in people’s lives,” said Chris Tointon, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Omaha. That is something the Y has been doing since 1866, when a Union Pacific employee founded an Omaha branch to serve those working on the transcontinental railroad. The equipment is more cutting-edge today and the programming more extensive, but the central focus remains the same. “We’re taking a proactive stance and saying, ‘How do we make lives better just like we did 150 years ago for the railroad employees? How do we take care of today’s employees and their families so they can be incredibly productive?’ Because when
» The YMCA of Greater Omaha serves more than 15,000 infants, toddlers and children through its early childhood education, summer day camp and after-school programs. » More than 20,000 youths develop new skills and build self-confidence through YMCA sports programs. » More than 11,000 youths learn life-saving skills through YMCA swim lessons.
Jaxson, 2, puts together a puzzle in an advanced toddler classroom at the Downtown YMCA child development center.
they’re productive, our community wins. “If greater Omaha’s employees and their families are happy, healthy, engaged and educated — all things the YMCA helps with — it makes for a much better society,” Tointon said. Though proud of its well-known “gym and swim” components, Tointon said today’s YMCA is so much more. Programming supports educational achievement, alternatives to teen violence, health and wellness services, chronic disease
intervention and refugee assimilation. “Ultimately, what we’re trying to do is create these strong communities that are self-sufficient, where kids have better lives than their parents, who have better lives than their parents. “We’re taking cycles of negativity and cycles of poverty, and we’re trying to rotate them and create a better society for each next generation,” he said. A key source of pride for Tointon and the broader organization is an emphasis on accessibility.
Open to all people regardless of their ability to pay for programs and services, the YMCA of Greater Omaha provides $1.2 million in financial assistance each year for membership and program participation support, changing more than 17,000 lives. More than 3,000 individuals and businesses donate to the Y’s Strong Communities Campaign to make this possible. “If someone wants to grow themselves, if they want to make society, their families and themselves better, we want to give them every opportunity. Every
year, we ask the community for financial support to make sure we can have that diversity — and it shows,” Tointon said. “When you go to our YMCAs, you’re going to see a corporate CEO right next to someone who may be struggling financially, and the greatest thing ever is they both have sweatpants on so you can’t tell the difference,” he said. The Y attracts people of all ages, sizes and backgrounds. Those hesitant about joining because they think they might not fit in should not be concerned. “You’re going to feel like you fit in, no matter what,” Tointon said. “Plus, you’re going to have staff people who really care, who want you to be successful, who are going to look out for your best interests, hold you accountable and help you in your journey.” Tointon took the lead of the YMCA of Greater Omaha in April. He said a focus on people drives all decisions and fuels the true rewards of his position: when his staff becomes fired up about the difference they’re making in people’s lives, when members share how Y programming has impacted them or their families, when volunteers talk about what they’ve witnessed and how it strengthened the community. “Those are all things I live for and why I got into the business,” Tointon said. “We’re a social entity. It’s all about people for us.”
150 YEARS YOUNG The YMCA of Greater Omaha has played a vital role in the Omaha community since its founding in 1866. Focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y is a leader in providing first experience to families, individuals and youths in the Omaha Metro area. Valmont heartily congratulates the YMCA on its 150th anniversary! What an amazing milestone, and stepping-stone to 150 more.
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OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
SAtuRDAy, OctObER 1, 2016
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Areas of focus: youth, health, social responsibility By Dan Mccann
“take the leap.” He urges them to use the Y’s personal trainers and fitness centers, take a group exercise class (like the new drum-based Pound) or enroll in the Y’s Diabetes Prevention Program. “If not for yourself, do it for your loved ones who count on you,” he said.
special for the ymca
Strengthening the community. It’s at the heart of everything the YMCA of Greater Omaha does. What makes it possible? A dedicated focus to three key pillars: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Youth Development: Nurturing the potential of every child and teen Sharon Royers witnessed firsthand the YMCA’s passion for youth development. The retired educator built her career on the same passion. “The mission at Indian Hill (Elementary School) is to break the poverty cycle through high quality education — and we can’t do that alone. We absolutely have to do that in partnership with community organizations, and the YMCA is certainly a major partner for us,” said Royers, a former principal of the school. Not only do Indian Hill students take advantage of programs and mentorship at the South Y — which she called a “safe haven” — the Y also runs Indian Hill’s after-school community learning center. That type of programming is just one part of the Y’s youth development pillar. Grounded in the 40 Developmental Assets for Youth, the pillar also encompasses youth sports, day and specialty camps, certified child care and preschool, youth leadership programs, a DJ Academy and Imagine Science STEM outreach in partnership with Girls Inc., Boys and Girls Clubs and 4-H. Royers said the impact of Y involvement in the lives of Indian Hill students has been dramatic and quantifiable. “I can tell you in the seven years I was there and forged that partnership with the Y, every single year the test scores improved. In fact, we were one of the Gold Award winners last year,” she said. Though Royers has retired, her work is not done. She currently is touching young lives as a South YMCA board member. “I know the impact the South Y has made and will continue to make in the lives of these children,” she said. “I want to continue to support that.” Healthy Living: Improving the nation’s health and well-being One question has had a profound impact on Metro YMCA board member Arun Agar-
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Jerrell Moore, youth sports coordinator, coaches a group of Jr. Mavericks winter basketball players at the Butler-Gast YMCA in north Omaha. wal: “You think about, ‘How am I going to live the best life that I can?’ — and everything revolves around health,” he said. “If you knew you were going to live to be 150 years old, what would you do differently? Almost everyone gravitates towards, ‘I would absolutely have to take care of my body,’ ” said Agarwal, CEO of real estate development company White Lotus Group. He knows all too well how fragile one’s well-being can be — his father has a number of health issues. “As I’m getting older, it’s made me much more conscious of healthy living,” Agarwal said. In response, he is trying to be proactive: shoring up his diet, exercising more and keeping regular tabs on his cholesterol levels. At work, he buys groceries for his office
staff employees to encourage healthier lunches and snacks, and challenges his team to beat his number of “steps.” On an even broader scale, Agarwal is working with the rest of the Metro YMCA board and Y leadership to elevate the health of the community. Agarwal is a champion for the Y, which prioritizes prevention, incorporates educational and fitness programs into its membership offerings and actively partners with health care organizations to create a team environment that tests, assesses and formulates plans for healthier lifestyles. “Cancer, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease — these are several debilitating diseases that we are trying to target,” he said. As he works to solidify his own healthy living plan, Agarwal encourages others to
Social responsibility: Giving back and providing support to our neighbors Ada Box, a single mother of three, was moved to tears after receiving the call. The YMCA had not only granted her request for a scholarship — the generosity exceeded her expectations. “That allowed me to put the boys (Darien, 10, and Brandon, 6) in sports, have them connect with kids their ages and be mentored by their wonderful volunteer coaches,” she said. The scholarships, funded by the Y’s annual Strong Communities Campaign, ensure the Y is open to all regardless of ability to pay — a key component of the Y’s social responsibility pillar. It is also reflected, among other programs, in the Y’s refugee and mentorship programs. “The core message is — how are we engaged in the community, how are we listening and how are we making sure our staff, members and community understand that it’s good to give back, to be balanced, to actively engage with others,” said Chris Tointon, president and CEO of the Greater Omaha YMCA. Box and her family moved to west Omaha and joined the Southwest Y two years ago. She wanted to get the boys involved in sports so they could make some new friends. “Brandon is so thrilled to be out there with other kids and have that social interaction. He’s learning soccer skills, but he’s also learning discipline and how to take direction. Darien has had the same coach for the last two basketball seasons, so he has a mentor there he really looks up to and likes a lot.” Box is on track to graduate from Bellevue University next May with a degree in supply chain and logistics management. She works as an Uber driver to support her family. “I’m going it alone, but that’s OK. My kids have a lot of good support through my family and also through the Y.”
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George Frost, purchasing agent for the Union Pacific Railroad, formed the first YMCA in Omaha in 1866. Pictured below is the first YMCA building, located on 12th Street in between Farnam & Douglas Streets.
1929
1866
1953: MAPLE STREET YMCA • 1969: DOWNTOWN YMCA • 1979: COUNCIL BLUFFS YMCA • 1981: SOUTHWEST YMCA • 1995: BUTLER-GAST YMCA • 1997: SARPY COMMUNITY YMCA • 1999: SOU
Italian Students
The Omaha YMCA offered a noon gym class for the “fat at 40” businessman, meeting Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Class was followed by a game of volleyball - “the great nerve relaxer.” In the present, the YMCA of Greater Omaha offers many group exercise classes over the noon hour, as well as pick up basketball games.
The Omaha YMCA Football Team challenged many local universities to compete, including the University of Nebraska Old Gold Knights (today’s Cornhuskers) in their first ever game on November 27, 1890 with a score of 10-0 in favor of the University of Nebraska.
1940s
From a newspaper ad for the noon hour classes.
1890
June 1870
The Omaha YMCA offered English classes to immigrants helping them to assimilate with American culture & obtain employment. Today the Y’s Ready in Five program helps refugee families assimilate by providing future students & their parents with the knowledge & assistance to succeed in the American public school system.
1942
1900s
Japanese Students
In the m Omaha and the one of Native Omaha for man
One of the cheeriest places in O the Red Cross canteen, opened J 12, 1942 at the YMCA to help m pleasant the stay of 237 Naval r who were here awaiting transfer training stations.
“We were royally entertained by the Y.M.C.A. boys, and hope that in the near future they will come to Lincoln and give us an opportunity of repaying their generous hospitality.” Excerpt from The Hesperian student newspaper
1919
Raising the flag at Camp Sheldon Camp Sheldon was dedicated in 1919. Located near Columbus, Nebraska, Camp Sheldon was a resident camp financially supported & staffed by the Omaha YMCA. YMCA Summer Day Camps are still a popular summer activity for area youth & teens.
THE OMAHA YMCA: SERVING OUR MEN IN UNIFORM
The Omaha YMCA found many ways serve in the war effort. Men in unifo had free use of all ‘Y’ privileges. From 1942-1946 the Y provided a t of 991,207 services, 211,833 lodgin 618,738 meals.
OMaHa WOrLd-HeraLd
total ngs, &
Visit our exhibit at the Durham Museum from October 8, 2016 to January 8, 2017!
In the early 1950s, boys with the Omaha YMCA sold saltwater taffy to raise money for the YMCA World Service program. Children went door-todoor, days before Halloween, to sell the candy. The money raised helped to provide equipment for a YMCA camp in Japan, & bring a South Korean student to Omaha for a year of study.
THE Y’s IMPACT TODAY 107,000 individuals served
Photo credit: The Robert Paskatch/Omaha World-Herald Collection The Durham Museum Photo Archive; RP-623-03
On June 18, 1990, a team of seven youth outreach workers from the YMCA “hit the streets” as part of YouthNet, a collaborative outreach program funded by the United Way of the Midlands. YouthNet provided prevention & intervention services for youth ages 11-15 “at risk” of involvement in gangs, substance abuse, & other negative behaviors. Today, the Y provides youth & teens a fun & positive space both after school & on the weekends with special teen night activities at the North Teen Center and South YMCA Program Center.
Union Pacific Congratulates YMCA On Its 150th Anniversary.
60,000 members 20,000
15,000
11,000
youth sports children in early childhood swim lesson participants education, summer day camp, participants
1990
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WANT TO LEARN MORE?
1950s
Omaha was January make more recruits er to
1977: Inside the new women’s locker room at the Downtown YMCA.
In 2010, the YMCA of Greater Omaha hosted its first association-wide Healthy Kids Day®, an event focused on promoting a healthy & active lifestyle for children. It has grown to be a collaborative community effort for many Omaha area businesses, organizations, & other non-profits. In 2015, more than 4,500 attended the event at Stinson Park.
2016
mid 1940s, Indian Guides began at the a YMCA. It was a neighborhood club where fathers heir younger sons met once a week at the home of f the members. The boys were taught e American lore and craft. The club continued in a any decades.
2010
Women have been involved in the Omaha YMCA since 1880, when the Ladies Union of the Young Men’s Christian Association formed. In 1977, women represented 40% of the Y membership in Omaha. The Women’s Fitness Center, located at the Downtown YMCA, was a physical expression of gratitude for the lively participation of women in the activities of the YMCA.
1977
UTH YMCA PROGRAM CENTER • 2001: NORTH OMAHA TEEN CENTER • 2003: TWIN RIVERS YMCA • 2006: MILLS COUNTY YMCA • 2008: ARMBRUST FAMILY YMCA • 2017: CHARLES E. LAKIN YMCA
& out-of-school programs
in assistance to 17,000 individuals $1.2 million provided
3,200
135
donors & businesses gave to the Y
collaborations with schools, hospitals, & agencies
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OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
HollaNd BasHam arCHiteCts
New Council Bluffs facility part of Y’s bright future By Dan Mccann special for the ymca
When celebrating a major milestone, it’s rewarding to reflect on key accomplishments and thrilling to plan for those yet to come. As the YMCA of Greater Omaha embarks on its next 150 years, the future-focus is collaborative and unmistakable. “The YMCA in Omaha has evolved rapidly to meet the needs of the community. We’re efficient, we’re effective, but most of all, we listen to the community and what their needs are, what their wants are,” said Chris Tointon, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Omaha. “And because we’ve been listening to our customers and our community, we’re able to respond quickly.” From partnering with area hospitals to expand the YMCA’s medically-based wellness programs to enhancing the Y’s presence throughout the region, Tointon said “the future is bright.” One part of that bright future will be the new Charles E. Lakin YMCA in Council Bluffs. “Council Bluffs is a community that is strong but also has a great deal of need for YMCA services,” Tointon said.
Slated to open in fall 2017, the two-story, 73,000-square-foot Charles E. Lakin YMCA at Frank Street and East Kanesville Boulevard will replace the current facility at 7 S. Fourth St. The sleek, new building will feature sports courts, therapy and lap pools, exercise rooms, an indoor track, a teen center, classrooms, an outdoor water spray garden, a teaching kitchen and a playground. Through a partnership with CHI Health and Mercy Hospital, the approximately $16 million facility will accentuate those medically-based wellness programs and their offensive against diabetes, cancer, arthritis and obesity. “It’s going to be a nice medically integrated campus, in addition to offering YMCA staples like youth sports and swim lessons,” Tointon said. Tom Hanafan, a former Council Bluffs mayor and current Pottawattamie County supervisor, served as chairman of the capital campaign. Collaboration was critical to success. “You need community partners to make these projects work,” he said. Major contributions included a joint lead gift of $7 million from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and the Iowa West Foundation,
a $1 million Vision Iowa grant, $25,000 from Ameristar Casino-Hotel, $20,000 from the Caesars Foundation and $15,000 from the Union Pacific Railroad Foundation. “It was a great mix of foundations and companies,” Tointon said. “The Charles Lakin Foundation and the Iowa West Foundation really stepped up and said, ‘This is important. The Y is doing great work, and the community is deserving.’ ” The Iowa West Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in the Midwest, has partnered with the Lakins in the past. Iowa West provided $8 million for the Charles E. Lakin Human Services Campus and a $500,000 grant for the Charles E. Lakin Habitat for Humanity Center. Philanthropist Charles Lakin, who died in March at age 94, had said his primary cause was “to help young folks, to help them become good citizens.” “Charles Lakin cared passionately about kids,” said Pete Tulipana, president and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation. “His commitment to children made partnering on the new YMCA another good fit.” Tulipana called what is happening in Council Bluffs a “tremendous example of organizations working together — whether they are family foundations like the Lakins’,
nonprofits like the YMCA or private foundations like Iowa West. Communities need partnerships like this.” In addition to major donors, the Charles E. Lakin YMCA project also received an outpouring of support from community members of all ages. “There were kids who gave nine cents. Somebody gave a dollar or five dollars — and that all added up. It is truly a community project,” Hanafan said. The broad-based backing reflects the community’s desire for the new facility. Said Tulipana: “When we did our strategic planning process four years ago, we did a tremendous amount of listening sessions and surveys to identify what the community felt was important. A new YMCA was at the top of the list, along with other recreation investments. It’s important to us that families, regardless of their financial status, have the opportunity to have access to recreation.” The YMCA’s Tointon said the investment of time, money and planning will yield a powerful return for the community. “It’s going to be amazing,” he said. “It will be one of the pride-and-joys of all of the Greater Omaha-Council Bluffs area.”
CONGRATULATIONS ON 150 YEARS At Kiewit, the most important things we build are the relationships with our community, and with the organizations that help make it strong and vibrant. We’re proud to support the YMCA of Greater Omaha and honored to help celebrate its 150th anniversary.
KIEWIT.COM
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
SAtuRDAy, OctObER 1, 2016
VOICES OF THE Y
We asked our littlest Y enthusiasts to tell us about their YMCA of Greater Omaha experiences...
Khloe, age 7
Charley, Age 4
MAPLE STREET YMCA: Morning Preschool Smarty
DOWNTOWN YMCA: All-Day Childcare Friend
“Cartwheels are my favorite part of tumbling, but I like coming to the Y to swim!”
“My favorite is playing with the sensory table!”
“I make lots of friends at the Y and we play together!”
Paxton, Age 5
Isias, Age 12
Sophie, age 8 & Wyatt, age 5 sister & brother
SOUTHWEST YMCA: Tumbling Superstar
COUNCIL BLUFFS YMCA: All-Day Preschool Master
“I play policemen with my friends!”
SOUTH YMCA PROGRAM CENTER: After-School Whiz
“Serving food in the cafe is my favorite thing to do here, plus I get to eat the extra food!”
Ainsley, Age 4
SARPY YMCA: Volleyball & Soccer Stars
Sophie: “I play lots of sports, but volleyball is my favorite” Wyatt: “Kicking the ball in the goal is the best part of soccer!”
THANK YOU!
Adam, age 12
SOUTH YMCA PROGRAM CENTER: Summer Day Camp Pro
“I get to practice basketball with my friends!”
Addison, Age 7
SOUTHWEST YMCA: Swim Lesson Champ
“I like my swim teacher, Miss Katie, and going in the deep end!”
A special thanks goes out to all of the YMCA of Greater Omaha staff throughout the years. Your dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated!
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OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
CO N G R AT U L AT I O NS ON 1 5 0 Y E A R S, YM C A O F G R E ATE R O M AHA! M I ND W H AT M ATTE R S AT W W W. LU TZ .U S AC C O U N T I N G • T E C H • F I N A N C I A L • TA L E N T • M & A
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At UMB, we believe in giving back to the communities we serve through our dedication to bettering people’s lives. That is why we are proud to support YMCA of Greater Omaha during their 150 year celebration.
Building Better Communities At HDR, building strong communities is at the heart of our endeavors. That’s why we proudly support YMCA’s mission to develop youth, teaching healthy living and social responsibility. Congratulations on 150 years of making great possible!
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IT’S FUN TO STAY (play, swim, learn, grow, meet new friends...)
AT THE YMCA.
THANK YOU! Historical content provided with help of: Amy Schindler
Congratulations to the staff and volunteers of YMCA of Greater Omaha on your 150th anniversary. Fun indeed.
University of Nebraska at Omaha Criss Library Vicki Hallberg Marcia Bennett Durham Museum
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