YMCA Blast by the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati

YMCA Black & Latino Teen Achievers Program Gearing Up For School Year

We had a great turnout this past weekend for our YMCA Black & Latino Teen Achievers (college readiness) Program held at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. Thank you to all of our volunteers – and to the students and parents who will be participating in our 2010 to 2011 school year. 

If you couldn’t make it, it is not too late to enroll your student. Please visit www.myy.org to learn more about how we are inspiring young people to pursue their destiny through the Program.

 

YMCA Enrolling Greater Cincinnati Students In Teen Achievers Program

The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati Black & Latino Teen Achievers (college readiness) Program is hosting an information and registration event Saturday, August 28 for the 2010 to 2011 school year. The event will be in the cafeteria (1st floor of the ATLC Building) at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Students with their parents throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are invited to attend to learn about the free program for area students, and meet some of the adult volunteers.

Since 1979, the YMCA Black & Latino Achievers Program has served over 5000 teens in grades 7 through 12, awarded more than $175,000 in scholarships and assisted students with access to $3 million in college scholarships, and engaged more than 4000 adult volunteers through a network of corporate and community partners. The Program includes college prep and leadership development activities focusing on study skills/time management, interviewing techniques, financial management, team-building field trips, community service-learning projects, and college tours and more.

 “Being a participant requires a commitment from teens but the personal rewards they get back from the program are life changing,” said Darlene Murphy, YMCA Black & Latino Achievers teen program director.

For more information, the public can contact Program director Darlene Murphy at the YMCA, 513-961-3510 or dmurphy@cincinnatiymca.org, visit the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati web site. 

YMCA Of Greater Cincinnati Is Fostering Resiliency In Students Through New Mentoring Program

The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati has a long history of fostering resiliency, life skills and character values in young people. Now we are taking engagement a step further with our all new YMCA Mentoring Program different in how it supports volunteers, involves parents, and empowers youth. The Program makes Hamilton County one of six regions nationwide chosen to replicate the successful Building Futures program developed by the San Francisco YMCA.

With adult role models committed to teaching good decision making in young people, our site-based YMCA Mentoring Program will nurture students ages 6 to 18 and will focus on outcomes such as improving academic performance, an improved relationship with his/her primary caregiver, and more positive behavior. YMCA mentors will meet with their mentees weekly for a year either at their local YMCA branch (they will have free use of the branches during their visits together) or at the student’s school.

A key feature of the program is the inclusion of parents from involvement in the youth application process to communication with the adult volunteer. Unique to YMCA Mentoring, youth will be empowered by developing with assistance a ‘goal plan’ that includes age appropriate career exploration and giving back by participating with their mentor in service learning projects.

Important to the success of our Program is support for mentors. We will provide 15 hours of training over four weeks in understanding cultural/social development, youth culture, risk factors, and more; ongoing support by a YMCA mentoring coordinator and the YMCA Mentoring Resource Center; and optional monthly mentor support meetings.
 
Students served in our YMCA Mentoring Program attend a CincyAfterSchool site managed by the YMCA (for Westwood Elementary, Mt. Airy Elementary, Riverview East or the Skyline Community Center) or participate in our YMCA Black & Latino Achievers college readiness program at Hughes High School, Academy of Multilingual Immersion Studies or Withrow International.

Upcoming orientations on learning more about becoming a YMCA mentor will be at the Melrose YMCA (2840 Melrose Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45206) on:

Wednesdays – Sept. 1, 8 or 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Or
Saturdays – Sept. 11 or 18 from 9:30 a.m. until Noon

To register or to learn more, please call 513-246-3230.

YMCA Mentoring is funded by a federal grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Other regions also selected include Oakland, Phoenix, Nashville and Baltimore.

It's A BRAND New Day At The YMCA Of Greater Cincinnati

It’s a BRAND new day for the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati and its 16 branches. For the first time in 43 years the area’s largest nonprofit that engages more than 125,000 people in youth development, healthy living and social responsibility has an all new brand strategy aimed clarifying its benefits and furthering its capacity to impact.

The strategy includes a new bold, active and welcoming logo that more accurately reflects who the YMCA has always been:  a vibrant, caring association of diverse people who are passionate about strengthening the foundations of the community. The graphic emphasizes the ‘Y’ in the organization’s name just as the YMCA embraces friendships and mentoring in its relationships between staff, volunteers, members, participants and community partners.

Included in the strategy is an emphasis on the YMCA’s three key areas of focus –

1.    Youth Development – because children and teens need caring adults to provide support, guidance and encouragement as they grow

2.    Healthy Living – because wellness in spirit, mind and body strengthens our very being and enhances our interactions with others

3.    Social Responsibility – because we truly are in this together and together we can harness our individual strengths and bring about positive change around us

“The Y is and always will be dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities,” said Sandy Walker, YMCA of Greater Cincinnati president and CEO.  “Our new brand strategy helps us more clearly share our story, and ultimately enhance our ability to inspire positive change in our kids, our communities’ health and our neighborhoods.”

The new YMCA brand is a national change that is the result of more than two years of analysis and research by the YMCA of the USA. Locally, all of the branches will begin to incorporate the changes now with the transition completed by the end of 2011.

Way To Go YMCA Double Dutch Jump Roping Teams!

Three YMCA of Greater Cincinnati branches had double dutch jump roping teams recently return from international competitions with great results.

Three teams from the Skyline Community Center (managed by the Clippard Family YMCA) earned first place finishes in their division at the World Double Dutch Invitational presented by the American Double Dutch League. Skyline also had three teams that placed second and one team that placed fourth. (For their story from the Cincinnati Enquirer, please click here.)

All of the teams representing the Powel Crosley, Jr. YMCA returned from the World Double Dutch Invitational winning third place in their division.

(Bouncing Baby Blues Team - Janiyah Malone; Jayla Hines and Rachael Degaro)

(Exlusive I and II) - Taylor Lattimore; Courtney Hale; Jasmine Brown; Jyna Shipmon

From the Carl H. Lindner YMCA, two teams competed at the National Championship presented by the United States Jump Rope Federation League. Winning a first and third place in speed and freestyle competitions was the branch’s open division team. The 6th grade team won a fourth and fifth place.

Double dutch jump roping has developed into an important program offered through several branches of the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati as an opportunity to instill positive character values, strong work ethics, a sense of teamwork, and healthy bodies in young people. In addition to the Carl H. Lindner YMCA, Powel Crosley, Jr. YMCA, and Skyline Community Center, double dutch jump roping is also offered at the Melrose YMCA in Walnut Hills.

Kneeling - Mikaya Eubanks and Shakina Browner
Middle Row - Ariadne Ray, Keishawna Harris, Coach Denise Bobo, and Mahkaylyn Harden (missing - Cache' Gardner)
Back Row - Kevin Chapman and Style Harper

Congratulations To The YMCA's Toni Miles

Toni Miles, executive director of the YMCA Black & Latino Achievers Program, is being honored by the Emanuel Community Center as a Women of Over-the-Rhine Award recipient for her passion and enthusiasm in helping the neighborhood and in helping to create a diverse, economically thriving community. 

The Awards luncheon will be held at The Bell Event Center (444 Reading Road) on August 19. For more information, the public can contact 513-241-2563 ext. 20 or visit www.emanuelcenter.org.

Toni is a leader, a mentor, an educator, a mother, and a licensed minister. Impassioned with a will to help others fulfill their God given destiny, she practices what she teaches every day.

Under her direction the YMCA Black & Latino Achievers Program has grown from inspiring 25 to 675 students in the 2009 to 2010 school year. Two new pilot sites were started last year with Cincinnati Public Schools, and an additional site was added at Covington Holmes Junior Senior High School where nearly 60% of its students are eligible for free lunch.

Prior to the YMCA, Toni was a long time volunteer board member and volunteer for Dress for Success. Her skills eventually led to a job there where she created the infrastructure for its financial development department.

Toni’s passion runs deep for the community located blocks from her office. As a volunteer she has conducted workshops at the Emanuel Center and served on numerous boards. She is also an Alumnus of Leadership Cincinnati Class XVI and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

In 2008 Toni established The Esther Principle Ministries committed to spreading God’s word and teaching people life skills for pursuing personal success. She is a member of the International Institute of Mentoring’s Council of 12 governing committee and serves as one of its mentors.  She is also an evangelist, a co-leader of the Bridge to Serve Ministry and leader of the Job Search Ministry at Solid Rock Church; and a founding member of the Harvest Ranch Cowboy Church in Middletown.

The past two years have also seen Toni’s faith transform lives at one of Ohio’s maximum security prisons, the Lebanon Correctional Institute. There, working for the Solid Rock Bible College, Toni is a theology professor teaching inmates but more importantly helping to equip them spiritually to positively move forward with their lives. Last year that group of men chose to raise $2500 toward the YMCA Teen Achievers Program because they didn’t want to see another generation following in the path they had taken. “It’s hard to put into words the blessing I receive every time I walk into the prison,” said Toni.

As A YMCA Camp Ernst Counselor, Libby Haas Knows Its Important To Be A Positive Role Model

A resident manager in her dorm at Kent State University who had also served on McAuley High School’s leadership council, Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Haas knows a thing or two about being a role model for younger students. She is about to use those skills again this summer in her second year as a counselor at YMCA Camp Ernst.

The job is a natural for Libby, who has fond memories of roughing it in Canada as a child and camping under the stars. “I loved being a camp counselor last year. It was neat to see how excited the kids were when you tell them they did a great job. They really look up to you. I like that,” she said.

YMCA of Greater Cincinnati camp staff recognize the developmental and social needs of each child. They teach kids independence, leadership, and communication skills; and challenge kids to explore their creativity. They help young people build confidence and meet new friends.

“Camp Ernst is a great opportunity for kids to reach out of their comfort zone and expand their knowledge,” she said. “I can’t wait to get back.”

YMCA Camp Ernst has been repeatedly voted Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky’s most popular overnight camping experience in Cincinnati Magazine. For more information or to register a child, the public can contact YMCA Camp Ernst at 859-586-6181 or visit www.myycamp.org.

YMCA of Greater Cincinnati Youth Council Invites Area Students For Make The Parks Beautiful Cleanup

The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati’s Youth Council is organizing its first annual YMCA Youth in City Government Make the Parks Beautiful Cleanup. The student volunteer clean up project on Saturday, May 15 and they’re inviting all area youth to participate with them. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. students will be at both Alms Park (710 Tusculum Ave; 45226) and Madison Park (2501 Madison Road at Erie Ave; 45208).  Volunteers can help for the entire event or stay for as long as they can. To register or receive more information, students should contact Andrew Naab at xavierbomber15@aol.com or Jana Nattermann at jlavelle@cincinnatiymca.org.


(Alms Park in Cincinnati)

Meet Kevin Lindsay, A YMCA Camp Ernst Counselor Who Likes To Have Fun

At YMCA Camp Ernst, Kevin Lindsay was the little boy who needed reassurance. Being away from the security of his home was difficult for him at first, but not for long.

“The counselors made me feel so included and gave me so much confidence. It’s nearly impossible to not make friends at Camp Ernst that you keep in touch with for years,” Kevin said, now a freshman at University of Cincinnati. “I just recently wrote to one of my counselors from years ago and told him he was the reason I wanted to be a counselor too. In his reply, Grant told me ‘just knowing that someone else has picked up where he left off made him realize he accomplished what he set out to do’. For me, Grant’s legacy is how much confidence I left camp with and I want to have the same legacy on someone else.” That, Kevin pointed out, is why he kept coming back first as a camper and then as a counselor.

It’s a legacy that has already been passed down at least once. Last year one of the campers in Kevin’s cabin didn’t receive mail, so Kevin prepared a care package to be delivered anonymously. “The look on his face when he got something was really great,” he said.

Stories like that are not unusual from YMCA Camp Ernst where the majority of counselors are older teens whose positive experiences have equated to many summers progressing from camper to CREW member to junior counselor and counselor. 

YMCA Camp Ernst has been repeatedly voted Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky’s most popular overnight camping experience in Cincinnati Magazine. For more information or to register a child, the public can contact YMCA Camp Ernst at 859-586-6181 or visit www.myycamp.org.

Brian Kapcar Can't Wait To Be a YMCA Camp Ernst Counselor This Year

(Photo: Brian Kapcar and Yoav Marom, an international YMCA Camp Ernst counselor from Israel, taken last summer)

It’s summer. For Brian Kapcar, a recent graduate of Sycamore High School, that can only mean one thing. It’s YMCA Camp Ernst time.

Brian has been spending much of his months off school at the Burlington resident camp since about second grade. “I was the kid who was always clinging onto my counselor and doing what they did,” he said. “It seemed like they knew just about everything you could know in this world. I really looked up to them and wanted to be like them.”

YMCA of Greater Cincinnati camp staff recognize the developmental and social needs of each child. They teach kids independence, leadership, and communication skills; and challenge kids to explore their creativity. They help young people build confidence and meet new friends.

This is Brian’s fourth year as a YMCA Camp Ernst counselor. What is he most looking forward to? “Well dodge ball is one thing,” he said. “I like to make sure my cabin is good, or at least has a good time. Most of all I’m looking forward to helping campers to experience the same positive growth I did.”

YMCA Camp Ernst has been repeatedly voted Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky’s most popular overnight camping experience in Cincinnati Magazine. For more information or to register a child, the public can contact YMCA Camp Ernst at 859-586-6181 or visit www.myycamp.org.

The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati also offers a variety of traditional and specialty day camps at branches throughout the area. For a list of camps near you, please visit www.myy.org.