Downtown YMCA Donor Newsletter

YOUR IMPACT

DOWNTOWN SYRACUSE YMCA 340 Montgomery Street Syracuse, NY 13202 ycny.org

A newsletter for Downtown Syracuse YMCA donors

DOWNTOWN BOARD MEMBERS Kathleen Arsenault Doug Cronin Ray Dague Elizabeth DeJoseph Lori Dietz Anthony Farella Linda Henley Leila Karkia Zachary Karmen Toni Kleist Thomas Kogut Scott Lickstein Robert Markowski Brent Murphy Alan Chris Read Lisa Romeo John Warren

I am happy to share with you this new donor newsletter about the impact your gift has had on our activities.

After more than 150 years in our community, countless people know the Downtown YMCA. But there’s so much more to our Y than one might think, and that is made possible by you our Y donors.

From exercise to education, from volleyball to volunteerism, from preschool to preventive health, the Y doesn’t just strengthen our bodies. It strengthens our community. The Y is so much more than a gym. It’s a cause, dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

Because we believe everyone has the power to make their lives and community better, we open our doors to all—no matter who they are or where they come from. Your generosity reaches children, families and people throughout the area.

Aaron Wood

Thank you for your support! Every donation makes a difference, and everyone has a role to play. Together, we can achieve so much more. Thank you for giving to the Y!

Monique Wright Williams

Best wishes,

Cheryl Pusztai Executive Director

YOUR IMPACT | A newsletter for Downtown Syracuse YMCA donors

HELPING PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program

Attracting charitable gifts to address compelling social issues has been – and remains – a major strength of the Y. Today, more than ever, our communities need the Y as shown by eye-opening national statistics. One-third of Americans are currently obese and 26 million Americans have Type 2 diabetes.

Lisa Adet, a wife and grandmother, joined the Y’s diabetes prevention program offered at the Huntington Family Center in the spring of 2014. “I decided to join the diabetes prevention program because I have been struggling with my weight for a long time,” Lisa shared. “I tried to do it by myself, but thought, if I join the program I will have more success losing weight.”

And Lisa did have success. She attended the program and met with her Y coach, who helped guide her and gave her tools to handle triggers and “slips.” She learned how to make healthier meals, count calories and fat grams, and how to increase and incorporate physical activity into her lifestyle. Lisa says it has made a big difference, and it has.

“When I started the program, I weighed 320 pounds, and at the end of the program my weight was 274. I notice the difference, and other people are noticing my weight loss. It gives me motivation to move forward, to keep going.

One of the things that helped me while in this program was the accountability that we had with each other. We agreed to go workout together and if I would have been by myself, I might not have gone. We really learned from each other.

This program taught me to be more active. I now use the programs at the Y. I also purchased a treadmill and a bike that I use when the weather is bad and I can’t get out. Also knowing that I need to be more active, I do things outdoor with my kids. Sometimes I walk with my granddaughter and we do running challenges where she will say, ‘Let’s run Grandma!’ And we do. It makes me feel much better about being able to do this with her. I could not do that before!”

Way to go Lisa!

KEEPING KIDS SAFE Urban Swim Initiative When you make a gift to the Y, you help change lives and save lives through the Urban Swim Initiative.

Drowning is the second-leading cause of accidental death among children, and for minority children, that risk is even greater. Since 2011, the Y has offered free (and fun) water safety instruction and has dramatically cut the number of swimrelated fatalities among minorities.

Rosaria, a Syracuse Housing Authority youth, was cautious about the water at first. It was something she knew she wanted to overcome, though, so she committed to attending every single Urban Swim class she could. “She was a great student - willing to try and committed,” said Suzanne Brisk, her Urban Swim instructor. By the end of the class, Rosaria was able to float on her back and flip from her back to front in the water.

On the final day of class at the Downtown YMCA, Rosaria and Suzanne swam the entire length of the pool together. Rosaria was so excited. After a rest, she swam all the way back. “I was so happy for her to gain that confidence, skill and pleased that she could reach her goal of becoming a better swimmer,” Suzanne said. “Afterward, we took a photo with Lifeguard Ben so she would have a memory of her achievement.”

Meet Kim! Many of you know Kim Jackson. Kim has been a member of the Downtown Y staff for over ten years and she always has a greeting and kind word for people who come to the Downtown Y.

"I have to tell you that the Y literally saved my life. I found out that I had diabetes and I didn't have any way of being able to take care of myself. And the Y hired me and allowed me to be here where I could get the help I needed. I'm grateful for all the help that they've given me."

And we're grateful to Kim too. She is one of our Y staff members who believes so strongly in our mission, and what we do, that she personally donates to the Y's annual campaign, as many Y staffers do.

As Kim knows, together, we can do so much more!

YOUR IMPACT | A newsletter for Downtown Syracuse YMCA donors

A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Downtown Mens’ Residence

Your support of the Y helps men like Charlie and Hugh, who call the Downtown Y Men’s Residence home.

Several years ago, Charlie’s wife died suddenly from a previously unknown allergic reaction. Later, his work as a trash collector led to a back injury and surgery. “It’s been a pretty painful time,” Charlie said in September. “One of these days, I’ll let a little sunshine back into my life.”

Since moving into the Downtown Y in August, Charlie has regained a sense of stability.

Staff members have helped him connect with treatment for depression and are available to talk at all hours. He’s made friends with other residents facing similar struggles.

“I’m very thankful for every hand or hug I get, and for my housing situation right now,” Charlie wrote recently. “I don’t know where I would be without the YMCA program...Now that I see that all things really are possible, I’ll never stop believing.”

Hugh Pettiford has been a resident at the YMCA for 10 years. After moving into the YMCA, Mr. Pettiford landed employment as an attendant in a group home for individuals diagnosed with both mental and physical disabilities.

No longer on public assistance or YMCA on-site rental assistance, Mr. Pettiford rode his bicycle to and from work or got up 90 minutes early to take a bus to make it to work as he became one of the overnight care attendants at his workplace.

This income independence allowed Mr. Pettiford to do even more for his children and you could tell how proud he was to do so every holiday, every birthday and when he provided new clothing, shoes and supplies for each new school year.

Mr. Pettiford has now been consistently and gainfully employed for 8+years in his position, 2 of his three children have graduated high school during his time residing at the YMCA and through his diligence Mr. Pettiford has purchased a vehicle so he can make it to or from personal and professional functions with ease.

Now Mr. Pettiford has a different challenge, navigating downtown parking!

JOHN'S STORY Why I Give to the Y John Hartnett has been a Y member for a number of years. This year, John also volunteered to raise money for the Y’s Annual Campaign to help people in need of Y services and programs.

“The Downtown Y is immensely important–the housing, and the afterschool programs for local kids. The fitness programs are wonderful. The triathlon activity is great as well.“ “I think it all gets back to this: The Y is for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. I sometimes think we all should steal that line from the YMCA and use it for our own: I'm for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility."

Your gift to the Y helps strengthen our community in lasting, important ways like teaching kids how to stay safe around the water, helping people through their journey with cancer, and assisting men in need.

Your financial support to the Y helps us do so much more!

The Downtown YMCA Men’s Residence is a place of hope for men in transition in Central New York. It is home to as many as 99 men, and it’s nearly always at capacity. The Y offers counseling to help residents overcome challenges they may be facing, and a free membership at the Downtown Y. During the Thanksgiving season, our residents, Y staff members, and volunteers come together for a special meal. In keeping with the holiday, this event provides warm food and company for men in need.

Please join us in supporting the holiday dinner at the Downtown YMCA Men’s Residence. Donate today using the enclosed envelope or online at ycny.org/giving.

Questions? Call Mara Roberts at 474-6851, ext. 317.

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

DOWNTOWN SYRACUSE YMCA 340 Montgomery Street Syracuse, NY 13202 315.474.6851

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SYRACUSE, NY PERMIT NO. 1924

DOWNTOWN SYRACUSE YMCA 340 Montgomery Street Syracuse, NY 13202 315.474.6851

THANK YOU to the following donors who have made lead gifts of $500 or more in 2014 to the Downtown YMCA! The Allyn Foundation Advantage Sport & Fitness, Inc. American Food & Vending Corp.

AmeriCU Credit Union Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation Ronald Ciricillo John Corcoran Douglas Cronin Crown Risk Management LLC Jessica DesRosiers Brewster Doust Epic Outdoor Adventures Anthony Farella John Fennessey Fleet Feet

Hancock Estabrook, LLP John Hartnett Hematology-Oncology Associates Linda Henley Robert Jokl, Jr. Frederick Kucinski Steven Lesko Richard Lowenberg Sarah Lufler Mac-Gray Services, Inc. MetLife Foundation Mountain Goat Run Foundation, Inc. Baye' Muhammad O'Brien & Gere Engineers, Inc. Cheryl Pusztai

Neal Quartier Alan Chris Read Frank and Frances Revoir Foundation Martin Satalin Scott Sears Shell Oil Company Foundation Joseph Snyder George Soufleris Syracuse Chargers Rowing Syracuse Fitness Store UBS Employee Giving Program Veterans Reintegration Resources of Central New York Wegmans