A Teen Story

It is always the season of giving! Below is a letter from one our very own teens Jennifer. Jennifer was so inspired by our programming, she decided to offer to give back to the Y.



Hello Abraham,

My name is Jennifer. I'm a student at City College Academy of the Arts and I participated in last year's SAT Prep program. I'm very thankful to have had that opportunity and without it I couldn't have gotten into some of the great colleges that accepted me this year.

Because of this, I would like to give back to the community through the YM & YWHA by sharing my skills. Last summer I learned how to build websites and make computer programs. I enjoyed it and for a while, I taught my sister how to make websites at home. 

Will there be any technology programs this summer that I can help out with? If not, would it be possible to start a Web Development Club at the YM & YWHA? Please let me know if this is possible so that I can speak to you about what I can offer.

Thank You, 

Jennifer

We asked Jennifer to share her experiences at the Y with us, and here is what she had to say:

1) How did you hear about the Y? When I was looking to register for a class to prepare for my SATs, my guidance counselor told me about the SAT Prep course at the Y.

2) How did you enjoy your experience here? The SAT Prep course helped me improve my SAT score tremendously.

3) Would you recommend this program to friends? I enjoyed the SAT Prep class very much. Being a teen in this neighborhood, there isn't much free programming available to us. The Y is the only place in the community where teens can come and enjoy free activities.

4) Do you have any memorable stories from the program? Talking with my peers and teachers after the SAT Prep class and reviewing the material was beneficial and fun!

The Y's free teen programming is design for people like Jennifer: to give our future leaders the skills and tools to be able to give back to our community.

Our Teen Program Coordinator Abraham pictured above with Jennifer

Challah Braiding with the PJ Library

Our Jewish Program Coordinator Cyndi Rand has recently attended Song Leader Boot Conference in St. Louis, MO designed to enhance her engagement and leadership skills as a Jewish Educator. She came back with renewed energy, tools, connections and passion.

Immediately upon her return, she organized and held a highly successful event “Beauty of Braiding Challah” with twelve local Jewish families in attendance. For twenty four years Cyndi had no successful mentoring of how to braid challah until she located a YouTube video of a bread baker in England who artfully described the easy way of braiding challah. She learned and shared her newly acquired knowledge with the families. Cyndi combined this skill with reading a PJ Library book on Shabbat celebration, celebrating the beauty of Judaism, creating connections and inspiring them to continue being part of the Y family and the greater Jewish community.

Thank you Peggy

Below is a letter written by one of our members at the Center for Adults Living Well @ the Y. She describes her journey in our program with one of our beloved instructors Peggy Levine. Peggy teaches our Balance & Strength class effecting the lives of so many in our center, and this member wanted to share her story. Thank you for all that you do Peggy!

January 20, 2014

"You've probably heard the joke, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall” and the answer is “practice, practice, practice.”  Well, I’m here to tell you that’s not a joke, it’s a fact and it applies to everything.  Whatever you want, whatever you hope to accomplish, you have to work to get it.  It doesn't matter if it’s big or small.  If it’s important to you, it’s important to you.

Sometimes we do nothing making the assumption that, given time, things will fall into our lap and all will be well.  Other times we strike out and go in many directions only to discover we’re getting nowhere except in making ourselves nuts.  It’s usually at this point when we realize that moving steadily in the direction of our goal is what is going to reap the benefits we desire.  And that’s what happened to me.

Almost two years ago, I injured my lower back and legs.  Over time and with the help of a very good chiropractor, I was able to get around.  But just getting around was not my goal.  Walking the way I wanted to walk was my goal. 

So in 2013, after hearing the name Peggy Levine enough times to realize it might be in my best interest to check out her class, I did.  It didn't take past the first class for me to realize Peggy knew her stuff and she knew it well.  Over time, I noticed things were happening.  Naturally, when one sees positive results, what do they do?  They keep doing what’s bringing those positive results.  So twice a week, I walked into Peggy’s class knowing somehow that I was in the right place.  Sometimes an exercise was challenging for me but I knew doing it would prove beneficial and Peggy, in her compassion, would say “I know this is hard for you.”  I always appreciated that although I probably didn't say it.

Usually when one struggles to arrive at a certain point, there are quantum leaps and/or breakthroughs.  On January 17, 2014, I experienced one of these.  With Peggy’s help in doing a particular exercise correctly, I realized something big had occurred.  There was an immediate shift in my condition.  I could bend my right knee again further than for many months and with no pain and – drum roll please – my right leg felt stronger and I was able to walk like a person who didn't have to rely on poles as much.

Now this might not sound like a lot to some people but it was a lot to me as I have been struggling with this conditions for way too long as far as I was concerned and having this happen was a remarkable experience for me.  I was struggling between bouts of frustration and depression. 

I want you to know that I am firm believer that we are all led to our good by a benevolent Spirit when are open to receiving it and, in that regard, I truly believe I was led to this Center.  I mean, I moved directly across the street.  Really?  How could one question such things? 

So I want to thank the Center for Adults Living Well @ the Y for their incredible programs and to the person who had the wisdom and foresight to bring Peggy into its operation. 

And to Peggy, “Thank you my friend.  You are the best.”

In gratitude, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.  This means more to me that you will ever know or could ever imagine."  

- Marian

Tu B'Shvat with the Park Rangers!

"Planting a tree is like raising children. When we plant a young tree , we nurture it to grow to be strong and healthy, just like our children" Pamela S. Nedav,  L'Mazeltov: Your Personal Guide to Jewish Childbirth Education (http://www.lmazeltov.org/).

The Y celebrated Tu B'Shvat yesterday with the PJ Library and Central Park Ranger Mara Pendergrass.

Tu B'Shvat is known as the Jewish Arbor Day. Literally the name means "the 15th day of (the Hebrew month of) Shvat". This date acts as a reassurance that the harsh winter months were finally coming to an end and that spring was around the corner.

In following with the ancient tradition to celebrate this day with planting, families planted kidney beans in coconut growing medium, studied tree bark, discussed the Park ecosystem,  and joined together as one unit to create parts and sounds of a live tree. There was fresh herb salad prepared with raisins and seasonings,  hummus with a variety of natural chips and an assortment of Tu B'Shvat dried and fresh fruits and vegetables. Children also examined pepper seeds and "planted" them in cups prepared with moist sponges. We ended the day with a book reading of Pearl Moscowitz's Last Stand, a truly meaningful and humorous PJ Library Tu B'Shvat book. A great time was had by all!

-Cyndi Rand, Jewish Program Coordinator and PJ Library Coordinator 

Broadway visits the Y

In December, the Y was paid a very special visit. Erin Jackman, Executive Director of the Brooke Jackman Foundation, brought Kimberly, a performing artist from the Screen Actor's Guild (SAG), to visit the children of our Literacy Program. Kimberly recently was on tour with the popular Broadway show Book of Mormon. Kimberly read and performed several favorite books of the children. At the end of the program, the Jackman Foundation donated brand new books to each Literacy Program family.

This event is the beginning of a partnership between the Y's Literacy Program and SAG's and bookPALS. BookPALS (Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools) is a national program to help children learn to love books by bringing the talents of performer volunteers into classrooms, hospitals, shelters, and other venues.

Would you like to meet an actor or actress? Performing artists will be joining our Literacy Program director Andrea at local schools for classroom readings through the bookPALS program. Make sure to join our free Literacy Program so you can take part in exciting events like these. The program is completely free with no registration required and free dinner available to all. Sign up today!

Sports FUNdamentals: Don't take our word for it!

This past fall, the Youth Enrichment program introduced a brand new class called Sports FUNdamentals. This class was an opportunity for children to learn new sports skills, while using a hands-on approach by getting parents involved in the action. As we had hoped, the class was a huge success and we are planning to incorporate Sports Fundamentals into our regular Youth Enrichment programming.

To get a better sense of the class, we decided to go straight to the source. We interviewed Matt and Max, father and son pair that attends Sports FUNdamentals every week. Take a look at what they had to say about the class:

How did you find out about Sports Fundamentals?

Jon told me that Danny [Tavares] was doing a sports class. I knew Danny really well through Camp [Yomawha], and we really liked what he did at camp with the kids so we wanted to get Max involved.

What are your favorite things about the class?

My favorite thing about sports FUNdamentals is that Danny gets the parents involved. It’s a really nice class to have where it’s the kids and the parents playing together. Max really liked playing baseball and hockey.

Danny is really good with interacting with the kids. Max loves Danny; he will go up to him in the middle of class and hold Danny’s hand.

Would you recommend this class to others?

I would recommend this class to anyone who is looking for a fun sports class to have with their kids. The parents being involved with the kids is one of the best parts of this class.

 

Overall, the inaugural session of Sports FUNdamentals was an outstanding success. Coach Danny had something to say as well:

"I want to thank all of the parents and their children for participating in Sports FUNdamentals. Your participation made the class a lot of fun for all of us. I hope that I helped the children enjoy sports and be open to new friends and activities. At the Y we try not just to teach the basics needed to play sport but also want every child to know how special and wonderful they regardless of ability. I hope that everyone involved learned from each other and had a great time at class. I wish everyone a Happy Holidays and a great New Year."

Enrollment is now open for the winter session of Sports Fundamentals. If you want to sign up for this class, any other class, or just want more information, be sure to visit our Youth Enrichment website.

A letter from an ASP student

Below is a hand-written unsolicited letter from one of our After School Program students, Jose. His passion and love for his guitar class is evident in his writing. We are so proud of our students when they are appreciative of the services we are able to provide them. Thank you Jose!

Due to grants like this one from the UJA Federation, we are able to provide our children with precious programs that help them develop skills for life.

Send your child to our After School Program and he or she can learn a love for a new skill just like Jose. Sign up for winter-session ASP today!