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 | David Stevenson President & CEO
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| RESPONDING SINCE 1859
Dear Friends:
I hope that this newsletter finds you and your families well and looking forward to a great summer season. For more than 162 years, our YMCA has been responding to the needs of the communities that we serve. From our early years as an evangelical movement, the YMCA crossed the defined lines of many religions and social classes establishing a foundation as an open organization that would eventually welcome men, women, and children of all ages, color, and religious affiliation. This new movement also brought a fresh perspective to service – meeting the needs of local communities. As the Y evolved in the 1860s, it became the U.S. Christian Commission bringing the word of Christ to soldiers and prisoners of war. In the 1880s, YMCA buildings began to spring up creating places where men could gather and read, socialize, swim and be physically active. Towards the turn of the century, the Y began summer camping, exercise drills, and invented the new games of basketball (1891) and volleyball (1895). In the 1920s, the Y’s Indian Guides and Princesses programs brought parents and their children closer together. Pre-school child care for working families, programs designed to support women’s wellness, organized group swimming lessons, and after-school activities for latch-key kids are just a few of the hundreds of Y “inventions” developed to respond to local community needs. Now, let’s look ahead and see how the Y will serve in Bridgeport, New Haven and the neighboring communities in the days and years to come.
These past 15 months have taught us a lot about the kind of organization that we want to be, and how we can strengthen our impact. At our recent Board Retreat, I shared how proud and inspired I was watching our Y volunteers and staff jump into action and invent new ways to serve others. In fact, through the insights that we have gained about our communities and ourselves, we have added new goals to our Real-Time Strategic Plan to include expanded service to low-income youth, new Y Without Walls youth programs and services in Hamden, North Haven, and the Valley communities, the expansion of programs and services to prevent the onset of chronic disease, new programs addressing hunger and food insecurity, creating Togetherhood programs led by and including volunteers dedicated to strengthening their communities, and nurturing a culture that is diverse, inclusive, and anti-racist.
It sure has been great getting back to the Y. I hope to see you there soon! Best wishes for a safe, happy, and healthy summer season.
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IN SERVICE FOR A BETTER US
Every person has been effected by the global pandemic. Many found solace in their YMCA family who reached out to them, stood beside them, supported them through the challenges of the last year. This important YMCA work continues - today and always, with your help.
The YMCA stands by our commitment to serve all, and the success of our outreach and impact depends on the success of our Annual Campaign and your involvement. We are helping to feed the hungry, house the homeless, care for children of working families, provide emotional support for the elderly and offer virtual programming for those still hesitant to venture out.
In 2021, the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA has already participated in numerous food distribution drives, collected non-perishables, food, toiletries, clothing, books, bedding, sneakers and diapers for those in need. We have hosted eight American Red Cross Blood Drives with more planned for the future. To help improve our environment, the Y collected and disposed of over 39 large bags of trash in April.
We encourage you to work along side us! Please consider a financial donation to our Annual Campaign. DONATE FOR A BETTER US. Join our TOGETHERHOOD program of staff and volunteers who select, plan and lead meaningful community projects that benefit people and organizations right in our neighborhoods. Look for more information on our web site. For details about our DAY OF SERVICE events where we plan to collect back-to-school supplies for children in August and to support the food insecure during the holidays.
THE Y. FOR A BETTER US.
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STRENGTHENING THE FOUNDATIONS OF COMMUNITY FOR ALL
The Central Connecticut Coast YMCA is committed to ensuring our organization operates in ways that strengthen our diversity and inclusiveness and are equitable to our communities. A Diversity, Inclusion, Global and Equity Team (DIGET) has been created to lead and support the Y’s efforts to meet these goals, identify any equity issues within our organization and work to identify solutions.
Incorporating guidance from the YMCA of the USA Diversity, Inclusion, Global (DIG) initiatives, nineteen CCCY plans were established and goals set that were enthusiastically agreed upon during the CCCY 2021 Board Retreat.
A variety of backgrounds and voices make up the group of Volunteer and Staff DIGET Leaders who will begin this important work early this summer.
If you would like to learn more, please contact Meg George, Executive Director, Lakewood-Trumbull YMCA; Jessica Speer-Holmes, Executive Director, YMCA Camp Hi-Rock or Chelsea Kordiak, Executive Director, Stratford YMCA.
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NEW YMCA LOCATION OPENS
The Valley YMCA, a branch of the CCCY, has opened a new school-age child care location at the Holy Rosary Church, 10 Father Salemi Drive in Ansonia.
School age child care, youth programming and summer camp are being offered at this new location as part of the Y’s core mission to promote youth development to all. The agreement includes the leasing of 4,500 square feet of space including four classrooms and outdoor grassy areas which will allow the Y the flexibility to provide many more programs. YMCA child care is licensed by the State of CT Office of Early Childhood.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for the Y to serve our community,” said Valley Y Board of Managers Chairman, Howard Olderman. “Our families depend on YMCA child care programs to provide quality experiences for our children. It’s important for their growth, and families can have peace of mind while at work, knowing that their children are being supervised in a safe and friendly environment.”
“We are happy to welcome the Valley Y onto our campus as part of our parish mission to serve the wider community,” shared Holy Rosary Church Pastor Fr. Jeffrey Gubbiotti. “Affordable and safe child care is such a big need for families and the YMCA has a long history of offering this valuable service here in the Valley.”
The Valley Y, also, operates a NAEYC accredited, state-licensed, early learning center at 32 Howard Avenue in Ansonia. This facility provides a safe and loving environment for children 8 weeks to 5 years old.
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WITH A NEW HOME, MANY DOORS OPEN
The total renovation of the Alpha Community Services YMCA Clinton Avenue apartments is complete! After eight months of construction, nine families have already moved in!
Funding from the State of CT Department of Housing helped the Y transition our Emergency Shelter into Permanent Supportive Housing. Each unit was completely gutted. New electrical, plumbing, windows, walls, flooring, kitchens and bathrooms were installed making ten 3-bedroom units and two 2-bedroom units.
The apartments are on a fenced, private, family-friendly lot within walking distance of a high school, elementary school and the Bridgeport Y for child care and swim lessons. Public transportation is close, yet a grocery store and medical facilities can be accessed by walking. Families will to continue to receive support services from the Y.
So far in 2021, the Alpha Community Services YMCA has housed 35 families within 53 days from intake. They have served 119 children. The Y has housed the most and faster - than any other agency in the State.
Doors can be heavy. It takes tireless work from our caring, committed staff and devoted, enthusiastic volunteers. Along with the generous donations from the 20th Annual Walk to End Homelessness recently held, the Y will be able to serve even more!
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|  | Family of five are super happy to have a home and a playground.
| |  | Mom has two kids moving in with her. Thrilled to receive her keys!
| |  | Mom, Dad and their four children are excited to have a home with a yard.
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SO MUCH GOOD NEWS - SO MUCH GOOD WORK!
We would like to welcome several new members to the CCCY Board of Directors! Scott Burns, James Dillman, Matthew O’Connor and Pascal Su. We look forward to your leadership and guidance as we position our Y for the future.
The CCCY would like to recognize the contributions of our retiring Board of Directors Martha Dulla-Andrade, Michael Horton and Elena Bell. Your service to our Y, our mission and communities will be greatly missed.
Ninety-five years of combined service to the CCCY! Congratulations CCCY Board of Directors members Christopher Gallo (30 years), Preston Tisdale (30 years) and Michael Leone (35 years.) Thank you for making our work possible.
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Taking care of your health is more important now than ever before. We’re here to help people stay active and connected to our Y community. We do, though, believe in meeting people where they are and that we will be most successful when we provide the fullest array of opportunities to engage in the YMCA community, programs and experiences.
The Central Connecticut Coast YMCA would like to introduce YMCA360!
An all-digital, all-access platform built for the Y, by the Y, for those with full facility Y memberships. YMCA360 is a broad catalog of on-demand and livestreaming content available online and via a TV app. Please login at YMCA360.org and let us know what you think.
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HAVE YOU SEEN US IN THE COMMUNITY?
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|  | CCCY Board Chair Blanca Kazmierczak with her daughter and friends volunteering at the Alpha Community Services Y and Bridgeport Y Healthy Kids Day event.
| |  | Rich, a founding member of the Woodruff Family Y Togetherhood program, volunteered alongside other volunteers and Y staff at the Milford Food2Kids.
| |  | Stratford Y members Verna and Theresa (Top Ten List every month!) volunteered at the Stratford Health Department Food Distribution with Chelsea Kordiak.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS Blanca Kazmierczak, Chair - Dr. Joe Bertolino, Vice Chair - James McGuinness, Vice Chair - Preston Tisdale, Vice Chair - George Logan, Secretary - Alexis Smith, Asst. Secretary - Christopher Gallo, Treasurer - Marc Romanow, Asst. Treas. - Lissette Andino, Past Chair - Scott Burns - Mark Calzone - Patrick Charmel - Lin Christie - Leo Connors, Jr. - James Dillman - Dr. Mario Garcia - Dr. Ceasar Irby - Robert Jacob - Terron Jones - Melissa Kessell - Jon Leckerling - Dr. Matthew O'Connor - Dan O’Donnell - Howard Olderman - Michael Papale - Andrew Patrick - Katrina Rice - Dustin Riedel - Dr. Jeff Santee - Andrea Seek - Dr. David Stevenson - Pascal Su - Dr. Prathibha Varkey
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Robert Fiscus, Chair - Jeffrey Jones, Vice Chair - Sandra Brown, Secretary - Michael Leone, Treasurer - David Bjorklund - Christopher Gallo - Blanca Kazmierczak - William Maley, Sr. - Ronald Noren
BRANCH LOCATIONS Alpha Community Services YMCA Bridgeport - Bridgeport YMCA - Fairfield YMCA - Hamden/North Haven YMCA - Lakewood-Trumbull YMCA - New Haven YMCA Youth Center - Soundview Family YMCA Branford - Stratford YMCA - Valley YMCA Ansonia - Woodruff Family YMCA Milford - YMCA Camp Hi-Rock Mt. Washington MA - Association Office New Haven
OUR MISSION To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
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