ymcalouisville.org

A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y

CHESTNUT STREET FAMILY YMCA

930 West Chestnut Street Louisville, KY 40203

Spring 2013

Marcus Stewart Marcus Stewart works at Brown- Forman Corp. in the Barrel Cooperage Dept. and has been volunteering at the Chestnut Street Family YMCA for the past three years. The first two years he coached basketball and this year he helped coach two teams, for 4- and 5-year-olds and for 12- to 14-year-olds. He also coached youth soccer in the spring and fall seasons and mentors youth in our Outreach Program.

His involvement in the Y began as a youth living near the Y. He was shooting basketball in the gym one day and was asked to join the Y’s basketball team. Marcus has been with the Y ever since. “Growing up there weren’t very many males around and Mr. (George) Dave and Mr. (Kevin) Wigginton were two men who showed me how to become a man and to stay out of trouble,” he said. “I see a lot of our youth here and they don’t have a man around. I want to be that positive role model for them.”

Because of his commitment, the Chestnut Street Y selected Marcus as a Volunteer of the Year for 2012. Marcus is ready for whatever is asked of him. We look forward to what the future has in store for him and the youth at the Y.

LIFTING UP OUR COMMUNITYBRINGING JOY

Frank Curry and John Hare believe in the Y’s mission of building healthy spirit, mind and body for all. They give their time and musical talent to the Y one day each month, playing country music at the Southwest Family YMCA’s Adult Day Health Center off Dixie Highway. Joined by their fellow musicians, they lift the spirits of the 35 or so adults who are cared for at the center each day.

Guitarist John Hare started the tradition almost 14 years ago. His wife, Jenny, spent time at the Adult Day Health Center after being diagnosed with Alzheimers. After she passed in 2006, John wanted to stay connected to and pay back the caring staff. “They were such a blessing to me and my wife,” he said. So he played his guitar at lunch for several years and gradually built up a band with Curry, Stan Lindsey on dobro, Elmer Skaggs on guitar, Ken Froman on mandolin and Bill Boyd on banjo.

The center’s director, Jenifer Roberts, said the volunteer musicians bring something special to the 35 or so clients who are at the center on any given day. For most of them, the old-time favorites like “Ring of Fire” and “The Green, Green Grass of Home,” allows them to sing, laugh and reminisce about their glory days. “It makes them feel vibrant,” she said.

At one table, Bert Bottomly was singing along. Bert said he not only enjoys the music, but he has befriended two of the musicians. He and Frank have bonded over their efforts to grow gourds while Stan is helping Bert learn to play banjo. Like Stan, Bert has limited use of his left hand and Stan created a tool for Bert like the one Stan uses on the dobro.

The musicians are happy to share their talents and seem to enjoy the performance as much as the audience. By volunteering, they help strengthen the foundations of community.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

GROWING STRONGER TOGETHER | A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y

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STEP UP — VOLUNTEER!A Message from Your Executive Director, Rodney Martin

We are recognizing some important anniversaries this year and here’s a little test of your knowledge of Y history.

1. Safe Place Services was started by the Y in Louisville with a shelter and support services for troubled teens and has grown into a national organization symbolized by the diamond-shaped Safe Place signs. What anniversary is Safe Place marking this year?

2. Camp Piomingo has been a summer getaway where Louisville-area youth have for generations enjoyed the outdoors, created memories and made lifelong friends. What anniversary is Camp Piomingo celebrating?

The answers? Safe Place Services was founded 30 years ago and Camp Piomingo

started operating in 1938, 75 years ago. And there’s one more anniversary, the Louisville YMCA was founded 160 years ago!

But really, the numbers aren’t important. What is important is that the Y put its stake in the ground with something that it believed in years ago, and built it into something permanent and lasting.

When you join the Y, you can be part of something permanent and lasting and, just like Safe Place and Camp Piomingo, you can make a difference in our community. And to Safe Place, Camp Piomingo, and the Louisville YMCA – Happy Anniversary!

Warm regards,

Steve Tarver President/CEO yman@ymcalouisville.org

A Message from Your President and CEO, Steve Tarver

One of the great blessings I’ve experienced from being a part of the YMCA is the opportunity to walk the same halls as the legendary Walter Barnes, the former executive director of the Chestnut Street Family YMCA. He has given me great insight through mentorship and advice on being a successful leader of the Chestnut Street YMCA. Many of those conversations with Mr. Barnes were about developing and supporting volunteers that care about making positive changes in the community.

As we have had those conversations, I have wondered about the many participants that have benefited from the Black Achievers Program’s college and career readiness efforts that had a significant role in helping them to be a success today. I wonder about those who were taught teamwork and discipline through their participation in youth basketball at the Chestnut Street YMCA. I wonder about the many youth that benefited from their participation in the Outreach Program that

gave them a safe environment away from the streets and led by passionate staff who gave constant words of encouragement.

Where are they now? The Chestnut Street YMCA youth and the families we serve need these past participants more than ever. If you are now an adult and have benefited from programs offered at the YMCA, our social responsibility challenge is that you get involved with the branch again. We are in need of tutors, mentors, leaders, committee members, board members and fundraisers. The YMCA needs you to get the Chestnut Street YMCA fever!

Sincerely,

Rodney Martin

PERMANENT AND LASTING

More than 650 teens are helped annually by Safe Place Services and 1,200 youngsters learn, grow and

thrive at Camp Piomingo each summer.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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GROWING STRONGER TOGETHER | A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y

YOUR GIFT MATTERS

A Message from Your President and CEO, Steve Tarver

Making change happen and inspiring hope – in others and in you! That’s what the Y’s Annual Giving Campaign is all about. For decades, the Y has pledged to turn no one away due

to an inability to pay the regular fees for programs and services.

With the help of our more than 700 campaign volunteers, the funds

raised during this year’s Annual Giving Campaign will allow our

Y to provide local children and families access to

life-changing, confidence-building programs.

THANK YOU!

Your gift to the Y will help strengthen local

communities in lasting, important ways. To learn more about how your gift matters, visit

ymcalouisville.org/give-today.html.IS YOUR CHILD CAMP-READY?Spending a week away from home at YMCA Camp Piomingo is a great way for your child to make new friends, learn new skills and gain self-confidence. Our first session of Camp Piomingo starts June 9. You can help prepare your child for this awesome experience by following these easy steps:

• Talk with your child about camp. Discuss the fun they will have, and visit our website together to explore camp.

• Attend one of our Open Houses. Visit camp, see the facilities and meet camp staff. Open houses will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on May 12, 19 and 26. Mark your calendar now!

• Practice. Attend our weekend mini camps or family camps. Visit our website at ymcacamppiomingo.org to find a convenient date for your family.

• Communicate with your child while at camp. Mail letters, care packages, and use camp’s e-mail service. Send pre-stamped envelopes with them so they can write you.

• Make Piomingo year-round. Discuss their experience when they return home. Talk about their new friends, favorite activities and ask them to sing their favorite camp songs.

The Y offers summer camps with many themes and locations to choose from. To find out more about our day camps, visit ymcalouisville.org.

We hope to see your family at camp this summer!

May 1st – July 31stBlack Achievers & Youth Achievers Early Registration

May 8Early registration deadline for YMCA Summer Camp

May 12, 19, 26 Camp Piomingo Open Houses 2 to 4 p.m.

May 19Healthy Kids Day at Slugger Field 1 to 5 p.m.

May 23 Summer Camp Kick-off & Parent Orientation 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

June 10 – Aug. 16Summer Camp

June 18World’s Largest Swim Lesson at Calypso Cove

July 27National Dance Day

August 10Black Achievers Orientation (Central H.S.) 9:30 a.m.

August 20First Day of School

NONPROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDLOUISVILLE, KYPERMIT NO. 152

WE’RE FOR EVERYONEAt the Y, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to be healthy, confident, connected and secure regardless of their financial situation. That’s why we make our programs and services available to everyone even if they are unable to pay the full fee; we have affordable membership and program rates for everyone.

You can support our mission by making a donation to the Annual Giving Campaign. Together we can help move people forward by ensuring access for all. To make a gift visit ymcalouisville.org/give-to-the-y.html

OUR MISSIONTo put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

BOARD OF DIRECTORSChestnut Street Family YMCA

Y STAFF

Rodney Martin, Executive Directorrmartin@ymcalouisville.org

Lynn Johnson, Black Achievers Directorljohnson@ymcalouisville.org

Chabela Sanchez, Childcare Directorcsanchez@ymcalouisville.org

Paulette Sublett, Social Services Coordinatorpsublett@ymcalouisville.org

Kevin D. Bruce, Sr.Robert Byers IIIChandra DavisMargaret B. HamiltonKeturah JenkinsBetty KinzerErica L. LeeAlexis MackLoyiso MelisizweShantil NewtonBianca Nightengale-LeeChristina PeaceLester SandersWarren SheltonDamian ThompsonPatrick Williams

Emeritus:Thomas E. Cork, Sr.Harold Goode, Sr.Louis W. Parker, Jr.Louis Sutherland

HOURSThe Chestnut Street Family YMCA offers a state-of-the-art fitness facility in addition to a variety of programming for you and your family. Listed below are the facility hours of operation. Please feel free to call 587.7405 with any questions.

Monday-Friday ..............6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday ................................ 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday .................................... 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Holiday Hours Derby ...................................... 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.Memorial Day .................6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.Independence Day ........6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

CHESTNUT STREET FAMILY YMCA 930 West Chestnut Street Louisville, Kentucky 40203 Phone 502 587 7405 Fax 502 587 2399 E-mail chestnutstreet@ymcalouisville.org

Carolyn Polk, Office Managercpolk@ymcalouisville.org

Travis Tandy Program Director ttandy@ymcalouisville.org

Theron ExumMember Services Coordinatortexum@ymcalouisville.org