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October 2010
Quarterly Newsletter |
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| News from the Y | YMCA of Central New Mexico |
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Greetings!
The YMCA of Central New Mexico has "adopted" Pajarito Elementary School in the South Valley. This past spring, 125 Pajarito students played basketball. For many of the students, this was their first opportunity to play in an organized league. On September 18, 200 Pajarito students began their fall soccer season. All of the students were financially assisted 100% by the Y. How can the Y provide such assistance to so many students? The annual support campaign, called Step Up For Kids (SUFK) provided the funding that allowed these students to play. Volunteer campaigners raise funds in our community that provide financial assistance to families. Our dedicated campaigners 2011 SUFK goal is $250,000. The 2011 SUFK campaign kicked off on August 28. Corporate Board member Kathie Williams and her husband Gary hosted a pizza "throw down" between Corporate Board Member Mike Skolnick and Kate Manchester, publisher of Edible Santa Fe. The throw down ended in a "tie!" The 2011 SUFK campaign ended October 15 with a victory celebration at Explora.
The Y will once again partner with the New Mexico Thunderbirds. The 2010-2011 Jr. Thunderbird basketball season is just around the corner. For additional information on when signup begins, please go to the Y website. I would like to thank Jackie and Sam Bregman and Neil Holmes of the New Mexico Thunderbirds for their support.
The Y has been busy over the past several months. The new Santa Fe Y Preschool will be opening this month. A new 5,000 square foot Preschool will be located at Zona Del Sol. The Y is also in discussions with a local developer on a new downtown Albuquerque Preschool. Y staff has traveled to Clovis to discuss the possibility of the Y returning to Clovis. The Y is also continuing our search for a Westside location. Dan Serrano, Chair of the Westside branch has been working with Y staff on securing a location.
The YMCA of Central New Mexico is committed to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
Thank you for supporting the Y!
Doug Nakashima President/CEO |
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STEP UP FOR KIDS
We Did It!
Even during these hard economic times our community has come through in a major way to support the Y's Annual Step Up For Kids Campaign. The Y Board of Director's set a goal to raise $250,000 to support youth and families in need, not only did we reach that goal, we surpassed it!
Special thanks to everyone who campaigned and contributed to the campaign. Without your efforts we would have not raised the $252,000 to help families in our community. Way to go!
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Jr. Thunderbirds
The Y's 2010 Winter Basketball League
 The YMCA of Central New Mexico and the New Mexico Thunderbirds have teamed up to bring you the Jr. Thunderbirds Basketball League! The Y's Youth Basketball League is the largest youth basketball organization in New Mexico. The Y's unique approach to youth sports emphasizes skill development, family involvement, character development, and low-competition. We always keep winning and losing in perspective.
With this partnership the New Mexico Thunderbirds and the Y will hold a coach's clinic for all the Y coaches with the head coach of the Thunderbirds and former NBA player Darvin Ham. We will also hold a players clinic that will give our youth the opportunity to learn some basic fundamentals, practice on the Thunderbirds court at the Santa Ana Star Center, and will be given the opportunity to meet and practice with some of the Thunderbird players. The Y is very excited about the partnership and hope to see all of you out on the court this winter. |
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 MembershipNew Membership
Coordinator
The Y would like to welcome Theresa Perez as the new HB & Lucille Horn Family YMCA Membership Coordinator!
Theresa started her first week on October 1st. Please join us in thanking Crystal Gregory for her years of support and service to the YMCA Community. She will be greatly missed and we all wish her and her family success in their move to Virginia.
In other membership news, please remember to join us on October 25 from 11 am to 1 pm for our Chili Cook-off. Sign up at the membership desk to bring your best chili recipe. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded!!
The Y has partnered with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNM Continuing Education Center. Y members can attend this month's free presentation Oct. 28, "Larry Barker Investigates" 6-8 pm (bring your Y card). For more info call Maralie W. BeLonge @ 277-6179. Y members who join the Osher group before Jan. 31, 2011 will receive a free Osher Group Course! |
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For Healthy Living
Health & Well-Being
With winter raging George Richmond and his dog braved the storm and headed to the outdoors. Unfortunately, some ice on a slope and a tug on the leash caused George to take a nasty fall tearing his quadriceps and meniscus tendon of his left knee.
After a month in bed, surgically repaired and in terrible pain George resumed his upper body workouts at the Y. Under the guidance of the fitness staff and his Physical Therapist George graduated to a walker from his crutches. With help and encouragement from the Y trainers he was able to add leg exercises and cardio on the recumbent bike.
By continued care from the staff, George became stronger and was able to walk with a cane only. His confidence in the trainers was reinforced each time they would answer questions taking the time necessary to fully explain any exercise. As of today George is walking unassisted, doing numerous weight station exercises four days a week. Both George and his wife are thankful for the Y and how it has enriched their lives. Even now as he regains full mobility in his knee he plans to continue his membership due to the quality of the equipment, friendships he has developed and the professionalism and knowledge of the entire staff.
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HEALTHY LIFESTYLE TIPS
Hands Only CPR
A simplified version of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can save as many lives as standard CPR. If you see an adult suddenly collapse it is important to act fast. Just use Hands-Only CPR. The first thing to do is call 911 or have someone else make the call. Then get directly over the victim place the heel of one hand over the center of the chest. Place your second hand on top of the first. Then push down hard and fast in the center of the chest until help arrives. It is important to push at about 100 beats per minute which is about the same beat as the Bee Gees 1977 #1 hit song "Stayin Alive".
Hopefully you will never have to use hands-only CPR but if you see an adult suddenly collapse, don't be afraid to try it. For more information on Hands-Only CPR or to take a class, contact the American Heart Association South Central Affiliate 2201 San Pedro NE Bldg. 2 Ste. 102, Albuquerque, NM. 87110. 505-353-5800. |
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For Youth Development
Child Care
On September 17, 2010 families of the twelve Y licensed childcare programs were informed that as of October 31, 2010 state childcare assistance would be terminated immediately, due to a $13 million dollar budget shortage (as reported in the Albuquerque Journal).
Our families joined over 2000 others in great concern of how they would pay for childcare, continue current employment and even continue current living arrangements. The Y immediately began to take action to assist the families that we serve, insuring children would continue to have a safe place to grow and learn.
Thanks to the $2.4 Million stimulus money Governor Bill Richardson's office released to stop the termination of childcare contracts, families will be able to continue with the Y with no worries. However, the Y, along with other childcare providers will be facing an 8% cut in funding from the department in order to make up for the shortfall which will allow 25,000 existing kids to continue to receive child care services through January.
"I am responding to families and child care providers who are understandably concerned about these budget cuts," Governor Richardson said. "Cuts that unfortunately affect our most vulnerable families. I'm doing everything possible to minimize those cuts and protect New Mexico families."
Aquatics Program ongoing for 50 years!
The Aquatic program at the Horn Family YMCA is an ongoing program for fifty years. During that time many things have changed but many more have stayed the same.
The Heights Family YMCA as it was once named had one of the strongest swim teams in the region. Men and young men alike have come to the Y for many reasons, swimming pool activities are the largest by far. The "learn to swim program" and recreational swimming was and still is very popular with people of all ages.
Aquatics have changed and evolved alongside the Y.
Swim team has given way to lap swim. Swim lessons now cover much wider range of ages and skills, while recreation swim has stayed the same, people and families having fun.
Aquatic programs have now come into a new era. There are more people wanting to stay active to enhance their health. This has lead to more lap swimmers and water exercisers than ever before. Pre-school swim lessons has quickly become one of our most popular classes. Perhaps it's when our young children watch the Olympics and dream that it could be them.
Overall the Aquatic program at the Horn Family YMCA has changed to fit the needs of our members, and will continue to change to fit the needs of our members in the future.
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 For Social ResponsibilityServing our Community
It's no surprise that the new Y brand would focus on the important value of Social Responsibility. In 1844, several men got together to talk about the concerns they had in the raising of young boys in their communities. These men later put their thoughts into action and created the Y.
Today, with thousands of Y communities throughout the world, people gather together and look at the needs of their citizens and problem solve with solutions. This legacy of social responsibility is near and dear to why the Y continues to thrive in troubled times. As a matter of fact, the Y sees challenging times as an opportunity for us to live our mission to its full extent. Long time giver, Mark Henderson of JB Henderson Construction states, "When I look at helping my neighbors, I know the Y will have the pulse of who needs my service. " For the 5th year, McLeod Mountainside YMCA staff and volunteers will organize a food drive that will give thirty families the complete fixings for Thanksgiving dinner. When these families come in the doors of the Y to receive their basket, they are welcomed by a community of people who make them a priority.
Take a walk through our branches. Employees proudly wearing name tags that say, "I stepped up for kids at the Y." Kids handprints, hand drawn pictures by toddlers... all the same message: Step Up for Us. Y communities bond together to let kids and families know we haven't forgotten that their time is now. They need solid values in our child care programs. They need to learn sports with sportsmanship first. They need to know how to be safe in bodies of water. It can all happen with the good people at the Y. Become a part of this important time to be a part of social responsibility.
Mark your calendars for November 3rd when the Y celebrates our family of Volunteers. As our history continues to nurture social responsibility, we lead the way for young people to see our example of leadership and compassion for others.
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About Us
The Y is the nation's leading nonprofit committed to stregthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. |
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Contact Us
YMCA of Central New Mexico
PO Box 52196
Albuquerque, NM 87181
(505) 881-4787
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