Microsoft Word - Newsletter - Fall 2012SLEEP WITH A PURPOSE
COLLABORATIVE IMPACT
On August 22, Sleep With a Purpose donated 20 mattresses to Alpha Community Services YMCA and 20 additional mattresses to Supportive Housing Works. Both Bridgeport based organizations distributed the donated beds to individuals in supportive housing units and to families transitioning from our emergency shelter program into permanent affordable housing. Sleep With a Purpose is the world’s first for-profit social impact mattress company, donating a bed for every bed sold. For more information be sure to visit: http://www.sleepwithapurpose.com/home
CITY LIGHTS ART GALLERY OPENS ART EXHIBIT FEATURING YMCA RESIDENTS
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS On September 12th at City Lights Gallery in Bridgeport a heartfelt reception showcasing the artistic talents of the Alpha Community Services YMCA residents had many in tears. The evening featured paintings, poems, spoken word, sculptures, photography, testimonials and much more. The exhibit was made possible through a partnership between City Lights Art Gallery and Alpha Community Services YMCA. City Lights Gallery instructors used their incredible skills to design a comfortable environment wherein our tenants expressed their inner strength through artistic creations. The artwork on display was submitted by various artists from the Alpha Community Services YMCA supportive housing programs and from tenants residing at the Families in Transition emergency shelter program.
OUR TEAM Carmen I. Colón, Executive Director Lauren B. Johnson, Senior Program Director Heather Adams, Program Director Lorrie Brooks, Program Director Claribel Coreano, Program Director
Hernán Bohrquez Ariel Brandt Julian Brown Maura Buckley Aida Cubero Bruce Cunningham Lindsay Fabrizio Jesse Farmer Katie Fisher Karen Mickley-Gomez Brandi Lett Antonia Madera Jorge Marrero Erin Russell Carl Russo
OUR MISSION Alpha Community Services YMCA addresses the basic human needs for shelter, dignity and self-sufficiency by providing a range of housing opportunities and supportive services.
OUR IMPACT “The success of our community is our responsibility. Therefore, we work diligently to create innovative programs that are most impactful. On a daily basis our work is done with an optimistic approach. My mission is to work closely with everyone to build an environment wherein we will solve any given problem."
- Carmen Colón, Executive Director
FOLLOW US Twitter: @AlphaCservices
A Branch of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA
Alpha Community Services YMCA and its partners are continually reducing chronic homelessness.
DIABETES PREVENTION: COOKING MATTERS
HEALTHY HABITS IN OUR KITCHEN Alpha Community Services YMCA is promoting healthy living and diabetes prevention. With a captured audience in our residential facilities, instructors provide onsite diabetes prevention sessions. Tenants have the opportunity to explore ways to exercise, eat right and maintain a manageable weight, while learning how to prevent this serious disease. The residents have also been involved in a program called Cooking Matters. Over a six week time period residents at the Harrison Apartments received hands-on education on the art of cooking a healthy meal on a fixed budget. They cook a healthy meal as they learn about different nutrition topics. This has been a very successful program as the residents have been able to apply their newly acquired nutritional knowledge to a practical and delicious meal that they can create.
DONATIONS MAKE STARTING SCHOOL A SUCCESS
DRESSED TO IMPRESS As a non-profit organization we count on the generosity of individuals and other organizations to provide goods and services to our residents. Alpha Community Services YMCA received funding from the United Way of Coastal Fairfield County making it possible for every child in our Families in Transition emergency shelter program to have a school uniform relieving their parents of this additional necessity. The giving did not end there, as many individuals in the community stepped forward to donate back packs and school supplies for our children. Thanks to everyone’s collaborative efforts our children are ready and prepared to have a successful school year.
FAMILIES IN TRANSITION LEARN TO SWIM
LEARNING LIFE LESSONS Recognizing the fact that ALL children must know how to swim, especially in a City like Bridgeport surrounded by beautiful beaches and parks, Alpha Community Services YMCA started a swimming program at the Families in Transition emergency shelter program. The shelter program serves over 300 children per year thus creating the opportunity for significant impact. Once the excited swimmers completed the Y’s water safety program, SPLASH, they put their knowledge into practice in the aquatic environ- ment. They boarded a bus to the Fairfield YMCA and their fear quickly morphed into confidence. This swimming adventure was a success and the Y, once again, empowered the community by teaching children how to be safe in and around the water.
AWARENESS, CRIME PREVENTION, & COMMUNITY
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT Alpha Community Services YMCA and Demarco Management Corporation hosted a positive fellowship event; Bridgeport’s first annual National Night Out to assist the Mayor’s office during a time of increased violence. Many people in the community came out for an educational and fun filled evening. The event included a collaboration with the Bridgeport Police Department, the Bridgeport Fire Department and Homes for the Brave.
STUDENTS VOLUNTEER AT EMERGENCY SHELTER
KIDS HELPING KIDS Alpha Community Services YMCA believes in working with future leaders. Many students have been active volunteers within our programs. This volunteer experience helps them recognize social responsibility. Students at Greens Farms Academy are active volunteers at the Clinton Avenue shelter. They have landscaped, created beautiful flowerbeds and painted apartment units. The Boy Scouts of America have landscaped the Brooks Street shelter site while “Build on” Bassick High School students have been planning and leading events for the children in our Families in Transition program. Once a month, the high school students come to the emergency shelter and assist with tutoring and fun activities for the children. During the summer the students were also counselors at a camp they helped create at the shelter.
Alpha Community Services YMCA is reducing the onset of Type II diabetes.
OUR BOARD Ed Piendl, Chair Steven Stafstrom Jr., Vice-Chair Michael Leone, Treasurer Sabine Kuczo, Secretary Nicolas Ancel Jonathan Brochstein Dennis Cahill Joe Clark Seth Cooper Jim Cosgrove
Pilar Gonzalez Paul Hirsch Tyrone McClain Judi Menegay Martha Orenstein Jane Selden Joe Tiago
The Y is closing the education achievement gap.