Community News 2023 Issue 1

COMMUNITY NEWS AT HOME AT THE HUB

LA CENTRAL YMCA OPENS IN THE SOUTH BRONX

For the second year in a row, the Y opened a new facility in the Bronx – with the grand opening of the La Central YMCA at the Hub. The 50,000 square foot facility features an aquatic center with two swimming pools, a fitness center, a spin studio, basketball courts, a gymnasium, and a dry sauna.

In recent years the Y has tripled its presence in the Bronx as part of its mission to be here for all New Yorkers. As such, the new facility has received operational support from Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie. •

(top) l to r: Third Avenue BID Executive Director Michael Brady, former Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr., Assembly Member Amanda Septimo, Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr., YMCA of Greater New York President and CEO Sharon Greenberger, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres, Assembly Member Chantel Jackson (and son), and La Central Y Interim Executive Director Meishay Gattis; (above) We are Y! (front row, l to r: Assembly Member Amanda Septimo, YMCA of Greater New York President and CEO Sharon Greenberger, Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr., La Central Y Senior Program Director Nadia Arroyo; back row, l to r: Third Avenue BID Executive Director Michael Brady, U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, and La Central Y Interim Executive Director Meishay Gattis)

MAJOR MILESTONES

THE Y CELEBRATES ITS CONTINUED GROWTH

The Y recently marked the oneyear anniversary of the opening of the Northeast Bronx Y and announced the launch of the Center for Community Impact.

In one year, the Northeast Bronx Y has served over 7,700 people, including teaching 925 people about swimming and water safety. With support from Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie, the Y was able to provide nearly $500,000 in

financial assistance to make programs accessible, and has also hosted free community events such as a holiday toy drive, family movie nights, and a coat drive for 130 families in Edenwald Houses. The Northeast Bronx Y also partnered with the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau and Catholic Charities to host a community baby shower and collaborated with Council Member Kevin Riley to host a community job fair.

The Center for Community Impact (CCI) will further our work to ensure that all New Yorkers have the opportunities and resources they need to reach their full potential. CCI’s four immediate priorities are: Nutrition and Food Security, Older Adult Services, Mental Health Support, and Swim Instruction and Lifeguard Training.•

(clockwise, starting from upper left) Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr., with Sharon Greenberger, shows off his new membership card; YMCA of Greater New York Board Chair Sandie O’Connor, Sharon Greenberger, and Frank O’Connor take in the La Central Y’s aquatics center.

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

Y PROGRAMS CELEBRATE LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL

Each year the Y celebrates Lights on Afterschool, a national event celebrating the role of afterschool programs in children’s lives. This fall the Greenpoint YMCA’s afterschool programs were recognized by former Congress Member Carolyn Maloney and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher

At other sites across the city, Y Afterschool participants declared their love for a host of reasons.•

WE’RE ENGAGED!

THE Y PROMOTES

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ACROSS THE CITY

On National Voter Registration Day, the Y and our partners at Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA), Brooklyn NAACP, Brooklyn Voters Alliance, Chinese Progressive Association, Dominicanos USA, League of Women Voters, MinKwon Center for Community Action, NALEO Educational Fund, NYC Votes, Queens Board of Elections, and the Office of the Public Advocate

Jumaane D. Williams helped people register to vote at 20 Y locations across the city. Partners also provided information on election dates, ballot proposals, becoming a citizen, and more. In advance of the November election, the Y also partnered with NYC Votes to distribute voter education materials and hosted AKA for an early voting event outside the Harlem Y.•

“ I like playing CATCH with my counselors and friends. ”

- RYLEY

“ I like meeting new people and doing STEM with my friends and counselors. ”

- KIARA

“ I like playing games and making new friends in after school. ”

- SHINEQUAH

“ I like making arts and crafts in after school. ”

- ISABELLA

MARKET DAY

A Y TWIST ON FOOD PANTRIES: Y COMMUNITY MARKETS

YCommunity Markets started as a response to needs that surfaced during the pandemic and were designed to elevate the food pantry experience. At Y Community Markets families get a unique shopping experience, choosing free food and hygiene products they will use rather than receiving pre-packaged bags of items that may not meet their needs. In addition to providing a more dignified experience for our families, shopping creates opportunities for more personal interactions with Y staff and volunteers.

The markets were started with a lead gift from the MetLife Foundation and have received support from Deloitte, the Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation, New York City Council, No Kid Hungry, NYC Human Resources Administration, Pepsico Foundation’s Food for Good Program, the Robin Hood Foundation, and YMCA of the USA. Since launching in 2021 the Y has distributed over 700,000 pounds of food to over 13,000 families from our Coney Island, Flatbush, and North Brooklyn communities.

We are looking to grow the program with our generous donors, volunteers, and dedicated Y staff. We know that the Y can help meet the challenge of food insecurity in our communities across the city.•

I’LL BE THERE THE Y

ADDRESSES ABSENTEESIM RATES

In the aftermath of the pandemic, absentee rates in New York City public schools have skyrocketed. Supporting students in improving attendance is essential in helping them recover from the learning loss suffered in recent years.

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is now in its second year of supporting the Y’s Academic Success Champions initiative to improve attendance rates. This school-based program focuses on 15 Title 1 schools where more than 70% of children come from low-income households of color. The Y will work with school leadership to prioritize afterschool enrollment for those students identified as being at greatest risk for chronic absenteeism, as well as students who need additional academic and socialemotional supports.

After launching the program in 2022, the coming school year will allow us to expand the initiative by leveraging programs and partnerships across participating Y locations. The program will move from a pilot phase into full implementation during the 2023-2024 academic year, bringing more services to more students.•

community.

A WARM WELCOME

THE Y HELPS THE NEWEST NEW YORKERS

As news comes in of recent arrivals from Ukraine, Venezuela and other countries affected by war and poverty, many concerned New Yorkers find it difficult to know how to help. The Y is providing one option, as we partner with Welcome US Connect to help recent newcomers get settled and feel welcomed.

The Welcome US Connect grant will allow the Y to find sponsors willing to welcome Ukrainian and Venezuelan newcomers in the coming year. Y branches will recruit and match New Yorkers (either individuals or groups) who are willing to help these newcomers find housing, job opportunities, schools and child care for their children, and be there to support the transition to a new city, a new country and a new language.

For more information and to sign up to be a sponsor, visit the Y’s Sponsorhip Hub or contact UnitedforUkraine@ymcanyc.org•

TO THE RESCUE

THE Y’S AQUATICS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE ADDRESSES NYC’S LIFEGUARD SHORTAGE

It may be the middle of winter, but at the Y we are already thinking ahead to the hot days of summer. Last summer, because of a massive lifeguard shortage both nationally and citywide, some beaches and public pools in New York City had to close or reduce hours. Families who normally use pools and beaches for leisure and cooling places had no access to these spaces. And worse, there was an increase in swimming injuries and accidental drownings as some New Yorkers accessed water spaces that were not monitored by lifeguards.

The Y’s Aquatics Center of Excellence is working to address these issues. Launched in the fall of 2021, the center offers lifeguard training and certification, as well as development courses for promising swimmers who require more support before training as

lifeguards. Once certified, participants are eligible to apply for jobs at the Y and other swimming facilities across the city.

Because of a generous grant from the Revson Foundation, we are committed to training and certifying 200 new lifeguards by Summer 2023, which

will help to reopen pools and beaches across the city. Additionally, in order to create lasting change to address this ongoing crisis, the Y is leading a citywide task force to address systemic issues related to recruitment, certification and employment of lifeguards across New York City.•

photo courtesy of Welcome US Connect

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

THE Y AND ITS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERS DEEPEN IMPACT IN COMMUNITIES

WITH INTEREST

Morgan Stanley Capital Investment Group hosted a financial literacy workshop where 40 Y teens from the Castle Hill, Dodge, Flatbush, Harlem, Park Slope Armory, Vanderbilt, and West Side YMCAs learned about budgeting, interest rates, and credit.

ROCKAWAY STRONG

The Rockaway Y marked the 10-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy with a panel discussion with Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, seen here with her Constituent Affairs Manager, Mortimer ‘Mac’ Lawrence.

IN BALANCE

The McBurney YMCA partnered with the Institute for Family Health to host a workshop on balance and fall prevention led by Doctors Robert Goldberg, Noosheen Javadi, and Sara Karp

TURKEY TRIUMPH

The Y gave out over 1,400 turkeys at the Coney Island, Flatbush, North Brooklyn, and Northeast Bronx YMCAs with support from MetLife and Council

Member Ari Kagan, seen with (l to r)

former Assembly Member Mathylde

Frontus, State Senator Jessica

Scarcella-Spanton, Chief of Staff

Jeannine Cherichetti, Constituent

Liaison Erica Turner, and Coney Island Y

Executive Director Sam Moore.

OUR LITTLEST LEARNERS!

The Y joined other advocates on the steps of City Hall to call for Early Childhood Education programs to be fully funded.

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION

The Y partnered with Genentech to host a series of events promoting early screening for breast cancer as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

COMMUNITY HEALTH

Staff from NewYork-Presbyterian Queens provided blood pressure and BMI screenings and health information at a free community event at the Flushing Y.

ON A MISSION

The Y brought together 80 teens from across the city for an all-day program on civic engagement, which featured guest speakers Dayana Pichardo and Orlando Ovalles from NALEO Educational Fund

ACCESS GRANTED

The Y hosted a conversation on immigration in New York City, which featured (l to r) the Senior Director of the YMCA’s New Americans Initiative, Rachael Rinaldo; Clinical Associate Professor of Law at Fordham University School of Law, Gemma Solimene; Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, Manuel Castro; and the YMCA of Greater New York’s President and CEO, Sharon Greenberger.

HOOPING IT UP

The McBurney Veterans hit the basketball court for a game for players 70 and older that raised funds for programs and services at the McBurney Y.

YMCA of Greater New York

5 West 63rd Street, 6th Floor

New York, NY 10023 212 630 9600

ymcanyc.org

REBUILDING TOGETHER

THE Y AND PARTNERS HOST LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST AT SOMOS CONFERENCE

At the annual SOMOS Conference, the Y partnered with the New York City Council’s Black, Latino & Asian Caucus (BLAC), the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus, and Team Rubicon to host a special discussion about rebuilding communities.

Sponsored by Brown & Weinraub, MetLife, and the Northern Manhattan Improvement

Corporation (NMIC), the event featured a lively discussion about how to apply lessons learned from rebuilding efforts in Puerto Rico to efforts to rebuild community in New York. Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, and Council Member Kevin Riley gave remarks before moving into a panel discussion moderated by CM Riley and YMCA President and CEO Sharon Greenberger •

the importance of community centers;

(above) Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie shares opening remarks about

Panel discussion, l to r: YMCA President and CEO Sharon Greenberger, Council Members Nantasha Williams, Farah Louis, Shahana Hanif, and Gale Brewer, State Senator Leroy Comrie, Council Member Kevin Riley.