After the General Electric (GE) “Global Day of Caring” September 10, and a Grand Re-Opening event September 20, it’s not business as usual at the Euclid Family YMCA. For Courtney Nicolai, executive director of the Euclid branch of the YMCA, it was “Extreme Home Makeover: YMCA” edition.

During the week of Sept. 8, more than 400 volunteers from the YMCA helped revamp and add on to the YMCA as part of the company’s “Global Day of Caring.” Additions include a new outdoor walking track lined with 10 fitness stations as well as a sand volleyball court. Inside, new lighting was added in the gym and pool areas, the walls were painted and a teen room and resource room were added. Continued on Page 2

Connecting members, contributors and friends. www.ClevelandYMCA.org • Fall 2014

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Euclid Family YMCA Branch Director Courtney Nicolai and Euclid Mayor Bill Cervenik in front of the Y’s new gazebo.

over 400 Ge voluNteerS GIve tHe euClId fAMIlY YMCA A MAkeover

$260,000 IN IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO THE EUCLID FAMILY YMCA COURTESY OF GENERAL ELECTRIC’S “GLOBAL DAY OF CARING”

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The YMCA was closed Sept. 8 through Sept. 14 while the work was being done and the grand reopening was held Sept. 20 to show off YMCA’s new look.

“We wanted to have a nice community re-launch and let everybody know the Y is open and we have lots of programing,” Nicolai said. Nicolai said the first thing many noticed when they arrived at the revamped YMCA was the new lighting.

The teen room, Nicolai said, is a “blank slate.” It’s an area where kids can come after school and do homework, or where they can play board games and watch TV. “We do a lot of visits for kids who are in foster care, so they come to visit with their biological families,” she said. “So now we have a really nice playroom for them to do that. Got an area that’s safe and secure.”

The resource room will be used for its social service program, where donations such as diapers and clothing can be accepted for the families it works with. The group exercise room was also redone by G.E., with a ballet bar added, and in January the Euclid YMCA will bring back its youth arts program, “Y Arts.” Offerings include ballet, music classes and private instrument lessons.

A wellness fair also was held in conjunction with the grand reopening. Nicolai said there was everything from emotional health, spiritual health

and financial health representatives at the event.The Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Cleveland Clinic, Pinnacle Academy and Infield Chiropractic were among those in attendance.

“There’s a lot of different vendors here so people can get information and find out about what’s going on in the city,” Nicolai said.

Special Thanks to the Lake County News Herald. Portions of this story include their coverage of the renovations and work to improve the Euclid Family YMCA. We also thank the hundreds of volunteers from GE for their efforts.

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has awarded the YMCA of Greater Cleveland a 3-year, $ 2,958,810 Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant to implement a three-pronged health equity strategy.

The REACH grant will support the work of the Y-convened Clevelanders in Motion Health Equity Coalition which is focused on four activities: transforming Cleveland’s wide and under-utilized

streets into safe and inviting places to walk, run and bicycle; expanding and institutionalizing its 10-year old, We Run This City youth marathon program partnership with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District; supporting neighborhood-specific Healthy Eating/Active Living (HEAL) initiatives; and expanding its chronic disease prevention efforts through partnerships with community-based health centers.

Selected as one of just 49 grantees nationwide, the new REACH award builds on the health equity work launched by the Y’s in 2006 and expanded with prior CDC assistance as a REACH grantee from 2007-2012 and as a sub-grantee in 2013. The Y has convened the Clevelanders in Motion Health Equity Coalition since January 2006.

In commenting on the Y’s selection, Y President & CEO Glenn Haley remarked, “The CDC’s selection reaffirms the direction in which not only the Cleveland YMCA has been moving but also Y’s throughout the

country over the past decade. We now understand our role as ensuring that everyone in the country, not only Y members, has the opportunity both to be physically active in safe and convenient environments and to access healthy food, regardless of where they live.”

The Y’s Clevelanders in Motion Health Equity Coalition consists of representatives from medical, public health, academic and governmental institutions, as well as neighborhood-based organizations and community residents.

“Our Coalition includes both regional advocacy organizations like Bike Cleveland as well as neighborhood-level, grassroots efforts like the amazing Buckeye HEAL Initiative,” said REACH Principal Investigator and Y Director of Community Health & Advocacy Barbara Clint. “Our goal is to create streets which work for all users, ages 8 to 80, and to link folks at highest risk for lifestyle-related chronic disease with healthy eating and active living resources,” Clint continued.

The Y was selected for CDC funding both on the basis of its strong organizational capacity, well-established community coalition, evaluation plans and capacity and demonstrated work with priority populations to reduce barriers to physical activity. Also selected for a 3-year award was the Cuyahoga County Board of Health. Their award, coupled with the Y’s, will result in nearly $6 million in health equity resources coming to Greater Cleveland over the next three years.

For further information, call Y Director of Community Health & Advocacy and REACH Grant Principal Investigator Barbara Clint at 216 268 6293, or email bclint@clevelandymca.org.

euClId YMCA MAkeover, CoNtINued

NeArlY $ 3 MIllIoN HeAltH eQuItY GrANt reCeIved froM CdC

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160th ANNIverSArY GAlA

1). Event Co-Chairs david Gunning II (left) and John Slagter. 2). Special Guest Host WKYC-TV-3’s Maureen kyle. 3). YMCA of Greater Cleveland Chief Financial Officer Holly duPlain and husband, russ, were the winning bidders of an original Hector Vega piece. 4). dr. Mary I. Carson and her husband, YMCA of Greater Cleveland President and CEO Glenn Haley. 5.) Event Co-Chair John Slagter and his wife, Christine. 6). fred Geis and kris Monaco were the winning bidders on a silent auction island getaway package. 7). Cleveland State University President ronald Berkman, YMCA of Greater Cleveland President and CEO, Glenn Haley, and Board of Directors Member and Capital Campaign Chair, daniel S. Serbin. 8). YMCA of Greater Cleveland Board of Directors Member Jack Schneider and his wife, Angie. 9). Event Co-Chair and YMCA of Greater Cleveland Board of Directors Member david H. Gunning II and his wife, Gina. 10). YMCA of Greater Cleveland Board of Directors Member Brian kenyon and his wife, lori. 11). dr. darlene lobel and YMCA of Greater Cleveland Board of Directors Member kimberly Manigault 12). danette and Pastor douglas S.Gunkelman 13). Board of Directors Member and Capital Campaign Chair, daniel S. Serbin with a Hector Vega original featuring the new Parker Hannifin Downtown YMCA. 14). dr. ronald Adams and his wife, Nancy. 15.) YMCA of Greater Cleveland Member of the Board of Directors Michael dostal and his wife, rose.

Photo 7 courtesy of Currents; Remaining photos by Hanson Photographic.

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Over 400 guests celebrated the YMCA of Greater Cleveland’s 160th Anniversary on Saturday, August 23 at the new Westin Cleveland Downtown. Partygoers were treated to a festive evening of dining and dancing and a sneak preview of the new Parker Hannifin Downtown YMCA, slated to open in late 2015 at the Galleria at Erieview in Downtown Cleveland.

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NeW ANd reCeNtlY ProMoted StAffWe are happy to welcome david Gardner to our YMCA of Greater Cleveland Family as the new Program Director at the West Park-Fairview Family YMCA. He began his duties September 8, and has over 16 years experience in the parks and recreation industry, having most recently served as the Brook Park Recreation Center Deputy Director.

Carissa lambert is new as Site Administrator for our Hayes before-and-after-school child care site location in Lakewood. Carissa is now full-time with the child care department. Carissa has previously held positions in our preschool, summer camp, child watch and teen camp programs.

Nathan “Nate” Gunkelman, who has been the Lead Member Service Representative (MSR) at the North Royalton Family YMCA since March of this year, has been promoted to Membership Coordinator at the Ridgewood Family YMCA.

Also, Molly vargo, former Ridgewood Membership Coordinator, moves to North

Royalton, where she will serve as Membership Director. Molly and Nathan will work closely together on streamlining the membership functions of both the North Royalton and Ridgewood Family YMCA branches.

Regional Program Director for West Side YMCA of Greater Cleveland branch locations Jarrod Williams has been promoted to the position of Executive Director of Youth Sports and Development.

Christopher frame has joined our Information Technology Department serving the entire YMCA of Greater Cleveland Association as Help Desk Representative. Most recently, Chris has worked as the Lead Member Service Representative at the French Creek Family YMCA in Avon.

Two new Directors of Aquatics began their duties on Monday, September 29.

Alyssa duer is the new Director of Aquatics at the Hillcrest Family YMCA. She was most recently the Aquatics Coordinator at the Lake

County YMCA and Pool Supervisor for the YMCA of Greater Cleveland at the Hilcrest and Geauga Family YMCA branches.

Bryan Smith is the new Director of Aquatics at the Euclid Family YMCA. He graduated from the University of Akron with a Degree in Sports Management and was most recently the Aquatics Manager of the Brookpark Recreation Center.

WeSt PArk-fAIrvIeW fAMIlY YMCA uNveIlS NeW teeN CeNterThere’s a brand new Teen Center at the West Park-Fairview Family YMCA.

The newly-renovated space is courtesy of a $10,000 grant from the FirstMerit Foundation.The new space includes a flat-screen television, and XBox Kinect system, and will be used exclusively for teen programming during the hours of 3-6:30 p.m., according to Branch Director Brandon Bussey.

ABove, froM left: West Park-Fairview Family YMCA Branch Director Brandon Bussey with Volunteer Advisory Board Chair liz legler and FirstMerit Bank Regional Manager/Senior Vice President Michael dostal;The new West Park-Fairview Family YMCA Teen Center features new furniture and computers and an Xbox Kinect game system and flat screen television.

SAve tHe dAte 15tH ANNuAl Y-HAveN StePS ANd StAGeS BeNefIt PlANNed for NoveMBer 8 At ClevelANd PuBlIC tHeAtre

All proceeds benefit Y-Haven, a program of the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, serving 113 homeless men, with a wide range of services including substance abuse and mental health treatment, case management services and permanent housing placement.

Tickets for the event are $75 each ($55 of which is tax-deductable). You can purchase tickets by mail, at the door or online at yhaven.org. For more information, contact Chip Joseph or karen Wukela at 216 431 2018.

Welcome!Congratulations!

JoIN for $30tHrouGH oCtoBer 18New members can join for $30 this October — a $70 savings. Members will also have their choice of a free program. Choose from: youth skills class, swim lessons, premium group exercise, or a small group personal training class.

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eMerGeNCY PrePAredNeSS eveNt At WArreNSvIlle HeIGHtS fAMIlY YMCA SHoWS fAMIlIeS HoW to StAY SAfe

The Cuyahoga County Office of Emergency Management and Warrensville Heights Family YMCA, a branch of the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, partnered to host a National Preparedness Day Event on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at the Warrensville Heights Family YMCA, 4433 Northfield Road in Warrensville Heights.

September was National Preparedness Month, and encouraged communities to take steps to prepare for emergencies. The event was focused on home preparedness, including children, pets, elderly, and individuals with special needs.

“We want to do everything we can to keep our communities safe. The YMCA of Greater Cleveland is delighted to partner with the Cuyahoga County Office of Emergency Management on this first-ever National Preparedness Day Event,” said YMCA of Greater Cleveland Vice President of Marketing rick Haase. “The safety and security of our members and guests and the children we serve is our top priority. Our goal with the event is to educate and inform.”

The event was specifically designed with families and children in mind, and included a host of activities, including demonstrations such as Build a Kit - American Red Cross; Pet CPR – YMCA of Greater Cleveland; Senior Citizen Preparedness - Cuyahoga County Senior and Adult Services; DNA Buccal Swabs - Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner; How to Extinguish a Fire – Warrensville Heights Fire, Department, and Life Jacket Instruction – U.S. Coast Guard.

Downtown YMCA Branch Director laura floyd hopes next April to take 50 students to the Columbus State House as a part of the continually expanding YMCA of Greater Cleveland Youth in Government program. Last year, 40 students traveled to Columbus with Floyd.

YMCA Youth In Government (YIG), is a YMCA program in the United States that allows high school students to serve in model governments at the local, state, and national levels. Some states have Model United Nations (MUN) programs for middle school students. Each state may participate in the national programs,

which include the Youth Conference on National Affairs (CONA) and the Washington, D.C. Youth Governors Conference.

One of the Cleveland students’ hand-written bills was passed from the Ohio House of Representatives Floor, but was vetoed at the last minute by Ohio Governor John kasich. The bill centered on increasing Ohio’s minimum wage.

For this school year, in addition to the six Cleveland Municipal School District schools participating in the program, Middle Schoolers from the Orange School District will take part

as Pages in the program. This year, the Ohio State Alliance will allow students in grades 7 and 8 to write bills as a part of the program.

“We really want to see our kids become more active in their communities,” said Floyd. “The program allows us to see that what the students are really passionate about has a definite effect on them. It’s really awesome, and very gratifying.”

AlWAYS Be PrePAred

ABOVE: Warrensville Heights Mayor Bradley Sellers demonstrates how to extinguish a fire with the help of the Warrensville Heights Fire Department.

BELOW: YMCA of Greater Cleveland Association Director of Personal Training Jerry Jacobs demonstrates self-defense tactics on a member of the audience.

The Downtown YMCA has launched an initiative to help close the achievement gap in one of Cleveland’s investment schools.

During the 2014-2015 school year, eligible children will be given the opportunity to participate in a revolutionary program model created by the YMCA of the USA.

The program will expose and energize students at Cleveland’s Marion Sterling Elementary School in nine key areas of focus: academics, health and wellness, career and college exploration; service learning; global awareness; art education; 21st Century Skills, and parent engagement. lauren Harrison, Site Director, will be leading the effort.

YoutH IN GoverNMeNt CoNtINueS to eXPANd

NArroWING tHe ACHIeveMeNt GAP

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NeW MeMBer of tHe BoArd of dIreCtorS

tamiyka rose, Manager of State Government Relations for the MetroHealth System, has joined the YMCA of Greater Cleveland Corporate Board of Directors.

She is a committed public servant, with more than fifteen years of professional experience in the public sector. She has demonstrated performance in analyzing complex policy issues, utilizing outstanding verbal, written and interpersonal communications skills.

Tamiyka has the ability to motivate and mobilize individuals leading to transformational results. Most notably, she successfully led The MetroHealth System’s efforts in lobbyingstate and federal regulators for an experimental Medicaid waiver program which extended health coverage to nearly 30,000 uninsured residents in Cuyahoga County.

She recently received the “Who to Watch in Healthcare,” award from Crain’s ClevelandBusiness, and was chosen as one of Kaleidoscope magazine’s “Forty under 40.”

Prior to her work at the MetroHealth System, she served as the Medicaid policy and budget analyst in the Ohio Office of Budget and Management. She also was a legislative liaison in Governor Strickland’s Office and a legislative aide in the Ohio House of Representatives.

A native of Cuyahoga County, Tamiyka holds a master’s degree in public administrationand a bachelor’s degree in political science, both from The Ohio State University. Shecurrently resides in Macedonia, Ohio with her husband and their daughter.

lIveStroNG At tHe YMCA

For the second year in a row, the Fall Gala to support the Annual Campaign of the Warrensville Heights Family YMCA, was a resounding success.

117 individuals attended the event, held at the Mediterranean Party Center in Bedford Heights, which raised about $1,200 for the Annual Campaign.

The evening included a brief program, which featured a performance by the Pneuma Dance Company, led by roxanne Parker.

Gail Stringer led the audience in line dancing, and there were Chinese and 50-50 raffles, including two handmade quilts crafted by Marcia dawson, rosemary Hubbard, and Jessie Wilkes. DJ kevin Wallace provided music for dancing.

Annual Campaign Committee members included Michael Carter, branch director of the Warrensville Heights Family YMCA; Josie klimas, Active Older Adult Program Coordinator, and Volunteer Advisory Board Members Ian Stuart of the Goldberg Companies and Maria trivisonno, Children’s Public Services Librarian at the Warrensville Heights branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library.

WArreNSvIlle HeIGHtS fAMIlY YMCA GAlA A SuCCeSS

The LIVEStroNG at the YMCA program is in full swing at four YMCA of Greater Cleveland branch locations: Lakewood Family YMCA, West Park-Fairview Family YMCA, Hillcrest Family YMCA and the Warrensville Heights Family YMCA.

The program focuses on you – the whole person – not the disease. The free, 12-week program meets twice a week for 90 minutes. Traditional exercise methods ease you back into fitness and help you maintain a healthy weight.

You’ll focus on:• Building muscle mass and strength• Increasing flexibility and endurance• Improving confidence and self-esteem.

For more information, contact linda Mcveyat 216 509 3480 or email livestrong@clevelandY.org.

YMCA MISSION: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.