The Innovation Quarter YMCA, located in the 525@Vine Building, is a vibrant addition to downtown Winston-Salem. The 10,000-square-foot space combines historic features, such as the original ceiling-height windows, with a state-of-the-art wellness facility that includes the latest in strength training and cardio equipment, a specialty training area, and spacious group exercise and cycle studios. The Innovation Quarter is a unique mixed-use, high-tech community that serves businesses and academic groups, and will also be home to residential units. “The Y strengthens communities across Northwest North Carolina and we’re excited the Y is now part of the energy being created in the Innovation Quarter,” said Curt Hazelbaker, President and CEO of the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina. The branch’s current operating hours are from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visit innovationquarterymca.org or call 336 245 5140 for more information.

A Newsletter for Friends of the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina

CONNECTIONSSUMMER 2014

THE NEW INNOVATION QUARTER YMCA

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT METRO MEMBERSHIPS:The opening of the Innovation Quarter YMCA is a great time to upgrade to a cost-effective Metro membership. In addition to the wide range of group exercise classes and boot camps at Ys across the region, here are a few of the great benefits:• Indoor pools and outdoor water parks at several branches• State-of-the-art training centers at the Fulton, Jerry Long, and Robinhood Road Family YMCAs • Hot Yoga Studio at the Robinhood Road Family YMCA• Teen Activity Center with two-story rock climbing wall at the William G. White, Jr. Family YMCA• Easy access to 16 Ys across Northwest North Carolina including the newest downtown Winston-Salem location

GREETINGS FROM THE BOARD CHAIR & THE PRESIDENT/CEO

Summer at the Y is always a special time of year. The Y is filled with new energy and excitement as summer camp begins and outdoor water parks open at many branches. This summer will also mark our second year of YMCA Summer Learning Academies, which work to close the education achievement gap.

Summer Learning Academies are just one of the many Y programs supported by the Annual Giving Campaign. This year, we will reach our largest fundraising goal ever, $2.1 million. We are grateful to everyone who has given and if you have not yet, please consider making a gift at your local Y to support programs that strengthen our communities.

The Y could not exist without its volunteers. At the Annual Celebration this spring, we honored Youth and Adult Volunteers of the Year. We were also pleased to induct longtime Y volunteer Dick St. Clair into the Red Triangle Society to honor his service. Dick’s longtime belief in the mission and spirit of volunteerism has made our Y stronger.

Thank you for your continued support. We hope you all have a safe and fun summer.

IN SPIRIT, MIND & BODY, Linda Wood, Board Chair Curt Hazelbaker, President and CEO

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: BUILDING CONFIDENCE AT YMCA SUMMER CAMPSummer at the Y is all about building confidence in a safe environment. Who can meet new friends? You can! Who can stay active and make healthy choices? You can! Who can practice reading and fight summer learning loss? You can!

Our “Who Can?, You Can!” theme this year is about empowering kids to be all they can be in the summer months. From swimming time to outdoor games to our Summer Reading Program, there is something to help every child and teen learn, grow and thrive at the Y.

FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: YMCA CAMP HANES PARTNERS WITH CAMP CORRALThis July 6-11, YMCA Camp Hanes will provide a carefree week filled with fun for military children who don’t often get to leave their worries behind. Since October 2001, a total of more than 2.1 million American men and women in uniform have deployed and of those Service members, approximately 44 percent are parents.

Camp Corral is a free, week-long summer camp for military children, ages 8 to 15, with priority given to families with wounded, disabled or fallen members of the military. Through the partnership with YMCA Camp Hanes and other camps across the state, these kids are free to be kids, apart from the day-to-day challenges they face within their military family. They will get to experience all the fun and adventure of the traditional camp experience including horseback riding, canoeing, swimming, fishing, archery, the Alpine Tower, the Blob and the Saura Screamer Water Slide. One of the most valuable parts of the experience is that kids have an opportunity to create friendships and bond with other kids who share a similar family situation.

CONNECTIONS | A Newsletter for Friends of the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina

For more information about summer camp, call 336 777 8055 or visit ykidscamp.org. Online registration is now available!

If your family or someone you know could benefit from Camp Corral at YMCA Camp Hanes, please visit campcorral.org for more information. You can also call Camp Hanes at 336 983 3131 to learn more.

SUMMER 2014

FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS: HERITAGE CLUB MEMBERS KEITH AND CHERYL KISERBoth Keith and Cheryl Kiser have fond memories of visiting the Y in their respective hometowns as they were growing up. As young professionals, they again got involved with the Y to help them live a healthy lifestyle as adults. Today, the Kiser’s exercise routine involves early mornings at both the William G. White, Jr. and Robinhood Road Family YMCAs. “That time is my time. The mental aspect is just as important as the physical to give me energy for the day. When you walk in at 5:30 or 6 in the morning, the person at the front desk can brighten your entire day,” said Keith. “It’s almost like going home.”

“We see the Y as a community with a gym attached,” Cheryl said. “It’s where we’ve met our best friends.” It was during times of need that the strength of those friendships became particularly clear. For Cheryl, when a family member was in the hospital, “Everywhere we turned it seemed like someone we had met at the Y was there.” When Keith’s father passed away in 2008 he says, “I felt the support from all my Y friends.”

When the couple was in the process of redoing estate planning, it was a natural fit to include the Y. “It has been our philosophy that you are supposed to give back. I am a firm believer in tithing, not only to church, but to other groups I support,” explains Keith. The Kisers also support their church, United Way and a mission organization, Haiti under God. “This was an opportunity for us to help continue the Y’s mission and help share our passion for healthy living with the next generation. I would ask that if the Y is important to you, please consider including the Y in your estate planning as well.”

To share your YMCA Heritage Club story or learn more, contact Joan Marie Belnap at 336 777 6225 or jmbelnap@ymcanwnc.org.

FOR HEALTHY LIVING: HEALTHIER EMPLOYEES HEALTHIER COMPANIESStudies show healthy employees are happier, more productive, and have higher retention and lower healthcare costs. As Americans spend more of their lives at the office, it’s no surprise they’re spending less time being active. For every 100 employees at work today, 59 don’t get adequate exercise, resulting in problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and heart disease - not to mention skyrocketing health care costs. The good news is we can help address this trend, starting at work.

Over a 15-year period, the National Wellness Association studied 30 companies with ongoing employee wellness programs. Their findings were remarkable. An estimated 90% of health care costs are associated with preventable illnesses. Companies with employee wellness programs saw sick days go down, as well as hospital admissions, doctor visits and overall healthcare costs.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also credits workplace wellness programs with benefits such as weight reduction, improved fitness, increased stamina, lower stress levels, increased self-esteem, and increased productivity.

The YMCA Corporate Membership Program is more than a gym membership. It’s a partnership designed to help reshape your corporate culture to promote employee wellness. Corporate memberships at the Y are comprehensive, affordable wellness programs that employees enjoy and can help them lead healthier lives.

Interested in learning more about corporate memberships? Contact 336 777 6240 or corporatemembership@ymcanwnc.org.

Cheryl and Keith Kiser

Hospital Admissions

62%**

Sick Days

22%**

Overall Health Care Costs

20-55%*

*U.S. Department of Health and Human Services**National Wellness Association

GOLF TO GIVE BACKThe 18th Annual YMCA of Northwest North Carolina Golf Tournament will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at Tanglewood Park Golf Course. The tournament supports YMCA programs including Summer Learning Academies, LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA, summer day camp, swim lessons and many others that strengthen our community.

We are currently accepting sponsorships for this year’s tournament. If your business would be interested in more information, please contact Tom Clingman at t.clingman@ymcanwnc.org or 336 777 6222.