FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT®

FOR HEALTHY LIVINGFOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

ALWAYS HEREFOR YOU

SUMMIT FAMILY YMCAsfy.ymcaatlanta.orgwww.ymcaregistration.comwww.facebook.com/SummitYMCAwww.twitter.com/summit_family_Y

a newsletter for Y members and volunteers June 2016

SWIM. BIKE. RUN.Y Kids TriathlonIn partnership with Kids Triathlon, Inc., the Metro Atlanta YMCA is hosting its annual Y Kids Triathlon on Saturday, August 27 and Sunday, August 28 for children ages 5-15. The Kids Tri builds on the goals ofthe Strong Kids Program through a specific effort to get kids to complete their first triathlon and experiencethe benefits of a healthy lifestyle filled with swimming, biking, and running. Our wellness staff will lead a freeseven week training class, beginning June 25, that helpeach child develop proper running technique, bicyclesafety and group riding, snake swimming, and transitioning between each component.

This event is also a great opportunity to volunteer with the Y and experience first-hand the sense of accomplishment these children feel on race day! For more information about the training class, race event or how to volunteer, please contact Kathy Balco atkathyba@ymcaatlanta.org.

A MESSAGE FROMTHE DIRECTORSchool is out, summer is here and day camp has become the heart of what we do. The halls and grounds of the Y will be filled with summer campers who are just beginning to form those camp memories that last a lifetime. Y camp programs are developed to prevent summer learning loss, increase self-confidence, promotevalues and focus on the overall development of eachchild. This is the difference of Y programs.

Fitness enthusiasts are also enjoying the opportunity to experience new classes, programs and grabbing extra workouts during the summer days - signs of our community’s engagement with the Y and one of our keyinitiatives - Empower Healthy Living.

The Summit Family YMCA is destination for families and is where everyone comes together to experience theY in a way that’s most meaningful to them. As a way toinspire others to start or continue their Y journey, we are always actively asking members to “tell their Y story.”Share your Y story… it can do so much to strengthen thespirit and mind of others including Y staff and othermembers. Enjoy reading in more detail about some of our summer initiatives in this newsletter, and have awonderful, safe summer!

Shane Gann, Executive Director

STAFF SPOTLIGHTMeet Bruce McCarthyBruce is one of our aquatic group exercise instructors. He is approaching his one year anniversary with our Y on July 13! Bruce beganhis Y career at the Wardel Family YMCA in SouthCarolina where he was a NASM certified personaltrainer, working individually with members andteaching group stability and balance classes.

Bruce and his wife Susan relocated to our community in June of 2015 and he quickly joinedthe Summit Y team. Bruce began a personal journey to improve his own health five years agoand is driven by his desire to have a positive impact in the lives of others by helping them dothe same.

“Being employed at our YMCA has not beensomething I have considered to be work. Instead,it has been nothing short of enjoyment, and is anopportunity for me to be a very small part of ourmember’s health, fitness and well-being. I amfortunate to have members attending the classeswho have become role models as class attendees,working hard and achieving success after success. Contributing a small part to theirachievement is extremely gratifying for me.”

– Bruce McCarthy

ALWAYS HERE FOR YOU | a newsletter for Y members and volunteers

SERVING OUR COMMUNITYMission Moment: Day Camp & Summer Feeding ProgramWe are excited to share that we have been able to secure support and extend our Summer Feeding program for 2016. Our feeding program provides meals to children in our community during the summer break, when they are not able toget lunch at their schools. We serve 200 children a day duringsummer camp and many of those children need a little extrasupport. One in four children in our summer programs receive financial assistance and the Y’s ability to provide a nutritiousmeal can make a major impact in a child’s health and summerexperience. As your Y grows in service, we extend and enhancethe Y’s reach for summer services that have become integral toour Y’s ability to create opportunities for countless children toexperience an engaging and an enrichment filled summer.

Early Learning Summer CampWe are excited to announce our Early Learning Summer Camp.The foundation for this program began 3 years ago through apartnership with our local United Way. The Early Learning Summer Camp is a two week program that provides 3 - 4 yearolds the opportunity to experience a learning environment andprepare them for kindergarten. We partner with local Title IElementary Schools to help identify families and children whohave the greatest need for support. The need for quality caregrows as the needs for youth programs for low-income familiescontinues to rise. Our goal is to ensure that preschool childrenwill enter kindergarten on a path to read to learn by the thirdgrade and develop healthy habits.

WHY IT MATTERS2016 Annual Giving CampaignWe are pleased to share the success of our 2016 Why It Matters Campaign thanks to the generous support of our members, volunteers and friends. Together we have raised more than $150,000. We believe all people, especially children,deserve and equal chance to reach their full potential ANDshould prepare themselves to connect to and serve community.100% of all contributions will go back into our community toensure that our programs and services are available to everychild and family!