Catching Up with Anne blog square

2019 is not only our year, but it’s YOUR year! This June will mark the 100th Anniversary of the YMCA of Long Island and we’re excited to share with you stories about the countless lives that have been transformed in our Y’s – the numerous ways you can keep active and healthy through the programs and services we offer, the opportunities that keep our children learning, growing, and thriving in our Early Childhood, School Age Child Care and Summer Day Camp programs, and the feel-good moments you can give back to the community through activities and events that support local lives across Long Island. We hope that you will share your story about how the Y has impacted your life. Mark your calendars…on September 5, 2019 at your Y, we will be celebrating our members, donors, and volunteers that help make the Y so special. 

Help us celebrate our biggest birthday yet! Submit your story here.

This month has been filled with a wealth of opportunity to spread the word about the work we are doing on Long Island.  I presented at the YMCA Annual NAYDO (North American YMCA Development Organization) Conference in Indianapolis about Public/Private Partnerships aimed at a new/renewed YMCA expansion, and the multiple stakeholders that make the project viable. Our team also presented on Strategic Philanthropic Partnerships. 

As Chair of the Alliance of New York State YMCA’s, I represented the YMCA of Long Island, along with Eileen Knauer, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, at Advocacy Day in Albany. YMCA leaders gathered as advocates to educate lawmakers on why they should support YMCA State Budget asks for our Youth & Government program, Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) Standards, and YMCA Capital Projects. 

With Spring in the air, we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events we have planned. Stay tuned for more information.

Great South Bay YMCA Child Care “Totally 80’s” Fundraiser on Thursday, May 9th at Captain Bills in Bay Shore from 6:30pm-10:30pm. Contact Cindy Becker for tickets at 631.662.4255 ext. 137.

Huntington YMCA 26th Memorial Day Weekend Carnival May 23 – 27, 2019. Rides, Games, Food, Family Fun. Proceeds benefit the YMCA Scholarship Fund.

YMCA of Long Island Tee Up Fore Kids Golf Classic on Monday, June 17, 2019 at the Mill River Club, honoring Tad Waldbauer, Managing Director, Amato-Waldbauer Group & J.P. Morgan Securities. Proceeds benefit the YMCA Summer Day Camp programs for kids in need.

I wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Easter, Happy Passover, and Happy Spring!


Gratefully,
Anne N. Brigis
President & CEO

Summer Day Camp is right around the corner

camp discount

We are counting down to Summer 2019! Awesome adventures await this year, as we have so many new features added at all of our summer day camp locations. We are excited to share new activities and experiences with the best of Adventure, Athletics, Aquatics, Camp Traditions, Creative Arts, Freestyle Specials, Specialty Camps and so much more.

New for 2019, our camps will feature Archery, GameLand, Inflatables & Challenger Courses, STEAM activities, transportation and Lunch Plan service for an additional cost.  Every camp will include new programs and features unique to that location, such as a year-round ice skating rink in Glen Cove, a Sports Court in Holtsville, adventure thrills and attractions in Bay Shore, and that’s just the beginning. For more information, you can visit our website at ymcali.org/camp to REGISTER or download the Brochure, Camp Guide, Pricing and more. There is still time to take advantage of our discounts which expire April 30, 2019. You can now register online from the convenience of your home.

We can’t wait to see so many smiling faces on July 1st for the first day of camp. Get ready for the best summer ever!

Interested in working at our Summer Day Camps? We are hiring counselors, leaders, and specialists in various areas.  To apply, please visit ymcali.org/jobs.
 

Preschool is Now Enrolling for September 2019

It is hard to believe that registration for early childhood education/preschool in September is already here! We are currently accepting enrollments for the 2019-2020 school year. 

It has long been our goal to provide the building blocks of success for children across Long Island. Our comprehensive curriculum is designed for ages 18 months - 5 years old and includes art, science, music, fitness, outdoor play, circle time, and math & reading readiness skills. 

For more information about our programs, visit: ymcali.org.

 

National Grid & YMCA of the USA STEM Program

national grid

Thanks to a grant from the YMCA of the USA and National Grid, students in our After School programs had the opportunity to participate in a 12-week STEM curriculum initiative. The children were presented with 10-12 STEM Challenges. They learned about density, potential energy and kinetic energy, gravity, chemical reactions, and so much more.  

May is Water Safety Month  

The YMCA of Long Island is delighted to partner with Stew Leonard III Children’s Charities to increase safety around the water by offering swim lesson scholarships, and lifeguard certification scholarships.  In our preschool classrooms, our students all learn Stewie the Duck’s Water Safety Song:

 

“Don’t jump in till you learn to swim.

Cover your chest with a safe life vest.

A grown-up must watch you in the pool.

You’ll be safe if you follow these rules.”

 

Building Successful Futures 

capital one

Another amazing water safety partner is Capital One Bank, through our Capital One Y Force: Teens in Training Program. Thanks to Capital One, the Y provides critical lifeguard certification programs to various levels of pre-teen and teen swimmers enabling them to develop strong skills and ultimately allowing them to achieve American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguard Certification. 

Another job training opportunity offered to teens through this partnership is the Counselor Training Program, providing teens with the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and learn how to work with children. 
Those qualified candidates passing the program are eligible for YMCA employment in their area of focus when job openings are available.  

 

line2

 

HEALTHY LIVING

Raising the BARRE Together

Raise the BARRE


I am so excited to share with you the launch of our new BARRE classes starting last month. These low-impact, high-intensity classes are designed to strengthen muscles and tone your body. I have attended a couple of classes—and what a workout! I hope to see you in class soon.
You can view the BARRE class schedule in our mobile app or on our website: https://ymcali.org/schedules/group-exercise-classes.

 

Huntington Healthy Living Center Opening June 2019

HLC rectangle

We couldn’t be more proud to welcome you to our new Healthy Living Center at the Huntington YMCA, opening in June. We look forward to inviting you to your new space to be healthy, your new training ground, your new place to make friends, your new room to learn and grow, and new destination for your family. 
We recently toured the new building during construction. Check out the video here.


The new, nearly 30,000 square-foot Healthy Living Center will feature state-of-the-art facilities to better serve the growing needs of Huntington.

•    Social Wellness Space
•    Teaching Kitchen
•    Five Fitness Studios; Yoga, Spin, Dance & Group Exercise
•    S.T.E.A.M. Educational Room
•    Gymnasium
•    Indoor Track
•    Child Watch

Stay tuned as we get ready to unveil your NEW HOME.

line2

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 

My Y Week: Flashback Y-Days

My Y Week header

Our two-week lobby campaign to raise critical funds and awareness for our YMCA Annual Campaign ran from March 17-30. During "My Y Week" we hosted a variety of campaign activities at the Y dedicated to celebrating our Y members, volunteers, and community whilst simultaneously raising financial assistance for those in need. This year, we had more than XXX participants across the island and raised $XXXX. Thank you to all participants, volunteers and community for making a difference in local lives across Long Island.


Check out the fun video from our Huntington YMCA Zumbathon. 


Spinathon photos from our Great South Bay YMCA event.

spinathon

Save the date: May 29th is Active Older Adults Day

Mark your calendars! The YMCA and PSEG Long Island will host Active Older Adults Day on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. This dedicated day of health and wellness classes and activities for active older adults across Long Island is underwritten by PSEG Foundation and PSEG Long Island. PSEG Long Island and the PSEG Foundation also support the YMCA Moving for Better Balance program, a fall prevention program using the principles and movements of Tai Chi, in addition to a weekly social hour designed to give participants an opportunity to share fitness regiments, nutrition tips, favorite books, and other information that help keep the community healthy. The connections made in both the group exercise settings and social environments lay the foundation for establishing meaningful communities of support and creating a sense of belonging for senior participants. We look forward to sharing specifics about the day’s schedule of events in the next couple of weeks.
 

5k 2019 header

Run for a Cause: YMCA 5K Series

This month, our 2nd annual YMCA 5K Run/Walk Series began across the island. Sponsored by Bethpage Federal Credit Union, each 5K race benefits an important cause and program in our communities. 

It’s not too late to register and run for a cause. Visit: ymcali.org/5kseries

  • Last Saturday, April 6th, more than 700 people participated in the Patchogue Family YMCA 5K Run/Walk with proceeds to benefit the Y’s Strength Through Strokes and Strides program. Strength Through Strokes and Strides is a powerful program designed to help pediatric cancer survivors rebuild strength and friendships through fitness. A record year!


UPCOMING RACES: 

  • April 28th: YMCA 5K Run/Walk In Memory of Marcie Mazzola in Huntington. Proceeds from this run/walk help send kids to YMCA Summer Day Camp. 
  • June 1st: YMCA 5K Run/Walk in Memory of Judi Shesh in Bay Shore. Proceeds from this run/walk will benefit cancer survivors through financial assistance to local families battling breast cancer, scholarships to local high school seniors impacted by breast cancer, and support for LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA program.

I hope to see you at one or more races coming up across the island.

LEARN MORE

line2

 

 

 

Locations