YOUR GIFT AT WORK.
Dreyfous Family & YMCA History Program Expansion in Ogden Rocky Mountain Power Foundation's Support for the Y
WHAT'S INSIDE
DREYFOUS FAMILY PHILANTHROPIC LEGACY CONTINUES
YMCA OF NORTHERN UTAH
Issue 2 | Summer/Fall 2022
ROCKY MOUNTAIN POWER FOUNDATION & CAMP
Rocky Mountain Power Foundation has supported our Overnight Camps since 2013. As a long-time funder, the Foundation has helped support many changes in our camping program – including opening YMCA Mill Hollow, starting the Boys & Girls Outdoor Leadership Development Program (BOLD & GOLD), and providing support through the COVID-19 pandemic. Like the YMCA, Rocky Mountain Power Foundation is “committed to supporting the growth and the vitality of its communities.” In 2021, the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation awarded more than $1.5 million to local nonprofit organizations. Their commitment to supporting communities works in tandem with the YMCA’s commitment to our communities and has created a wonderful working partnership. In 2017, Rocky Mountain Power Foundation was a supporter as we acquired YMCA Mill Hollow, our STEM-focused Overnight Camp. Youth participate in STEM experiments and learn about animal science, forest ecology, astronomy, and more in the great outdoors. Rocky Mountain Power Foundation’s support has also enabled youth to participate in various outdoor recreational, team-building, and educational activities at YMCA Camp Roger and sustain high-quality programming. Their support has also allowed the YMCA to start exciting new initiatives like BOLD & GOLD, which brings teens from all backgrounds together for a week of backpacking, leadership development, and wilderness training. Thanks to funders like Rocky Mountain Power Foundation, we were able to keep our camps open during the pandemic, and we continue to offer quality programs and financial assistance to the youth in our community. Youth that attend these camps continue learning throughout the summer, form friendships, build confidence, and become leaders in their communities.
The YMCA of Northern Utah has made exciting changes in sustainability and support for our staff. At the end of last year, our Board voted in support of substantial changes to wages and pay scale in our Y. A generous donor, Jim Dreyfous of the Bur Oak Foundation, is enthusiastically supporting our efforts with a three-year donation. We have increased the lowest wage for our staff to $13.00/hour and adjusted our pay scale at all levels to meet changes in the economic climate and ensure our business practices are equitable and ethical. Mr. Dreyfous’ donation will help support this change to ensure success. This change is a vital step in ensuring our sustainability as an organization as we move towards exciting changes in our future. Our staff are our most valuable resource in implementing our mission and vision. We see every day the impact low wages have on the families we serve. It is vital for us to live up to our core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility, and the best place to start is with our staff. These changes will enable our staff to thrive in the face of the new economic challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure that our programs have talented, dedicated, and caring staff to support the youth in our community. We want to ensure that any employee who commits to fulfilling our Y’s mission is also able to support themselves and thrive.
Dear Donor, 2022 has been a year of change and agility and a year of contradictions. As we all move toward a place of normalcy and consistency, there have been several unanticipated challenges and pleasant surprises. This has definitely been the case for us at the Y. We have a strong team committed to kids, great volunteers that go above and beyond, and amazing donors like you that fuel our work. This summer has been one for the record books. We just finished one of our most successful summers with the most campers in our Y’s history. At the same time, we are experiencing what all are experiencing— incredible staffing challenges and high cost of operations. These contradictions have challenged us to grow, evolve, and thrive in the unknown. All this helps our team come together and become one of the best youth enrichment organizations in Utah. With that, there have been numerous stories from kids and parents about their amazing experiences and life-changing relationships. Your engagement with our mission is the engine for our growth and for transforming lives. We are grateful for you and your commitment to our work! We humbly invite you to continue giving, which will fuel expansion of the YMCA and its impact. With Gratitude, Rich West, CEO
OUR LIVING WAGE COMMITMENT
When George Williams founded the very first YMCA in London, England, in 1844, he never could've imagined the impact he would have for years to come. Now with over 2,500 YMCA's nationally and with Y's represented in over 120 countries, the organization that invented sports like basketball and volleyball and holidays like Father's Day now proudly supports the work of youth development, social responsibility, and healthy living for millions of people every single day. While the YMCA of Northern Utah is currently the only YMCA presence in Utah, our roots run incredibly deep. When US railways were expanding across the country, Railroad YMCA's were erected near worksites to provide a safe and clean place for workers to sleep, bathe, and receive a hot meal. Utah's Railroad YMCA was located in Helper and was the largest building in the city at the time. Not long after that, the official Utah YMCA began in 1893, prior to Utah becoming a state. During that time, the YMCA started taking boys on camping trips (via train) through the Provo Canyon and functioned primarily as an organization that taught young boys about the great outdoors. In 1948, the Utah YMCA acquired a former CCC camp and opened what we now call YMCA Camp Roger to provide a wilderness experience for Utah's youth. A few short years later, in 1950, community leaders began a capital campaign to build a new YMCA facility in Salt Lake City to meet the need for housing and provide a public gymnasium, pool, and recreational activities. Among that group was Jules Dreyfous, a prominent community leader in the city. Jules, who was very involved in the Chamber of Commerce, the Tracy Aviary, and the Hogle Zoo, served on the Board of Directors that founded the first YMCA facility in downtown Salt Lake City in 1963. There, the YMCA facility served thousands of people each year until 1990, when it closed its doors due to financial hardship. Afterward, the YMCA shifted its focus to the youth outdoor experience at YMCA Camp Roger. YMCA Camp Roger holds a special place for the Dreyfous family. Jules and his family enjoyed trips to camp, where they participated in overnight camps, and Jim (Jules' middle son) worked for a few weeks when the YMCA called on its board members for staffing help. Jim has fond memories of his time at YMCA Camp Roger and recalled that he "loved being outside, socializing, and meeting tons of people that [he] didn't know." Jim's time at YMCA Camp Roger caused him to encourage his own kids to attend overnight camp, where he remarked that his son didn't want to leave once the week was over! In 2006, current CEO Rich West joined the YMCA of Northern Utah and continued to lead YMCA Camp Roger. In 2008, the Y expanded into Weber county, offering afterschool programs, and in 2010 opened the Taylorsville YMCA Community Family Center to serve families in the Salt Lake Valley. The YMCA grew quickly, and in 2014, they opened the doors of the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation YMCA Community Family Center in Ogden. These facilities provide safe, welcoming spaces for kids and teens to participate in Afterschool, Preschool, and Summer Day Camp programs - often free of charge or at little cost to families. In 2017, the YMCA of Northern Utah acquired the Granite School District Outdoor Education Center, now called YMCA Mill Hollow, where campers experience hands-on learning in Uinta National Forest. With the addition of this new facility, the YMCA of Northern Utah has begun making significant capital improvements to the facility and is excited to continue this work. The Dreyfous family did not stop their work with the YMCA in the 90s. Today, their generous and transformative gifts have supported the Y's work to raise pay for staff (listed earlier in this article), renovate buildings at YMCA Mill Hollow, and help start an endowment securing YMCA services for years to come. At the time of his retirement, Jim was quoted: "I've always been very committed to causes in the Salt Lake City area, which explains why I've served on a number of philanthropic boards. In fact, with the extra time that comes with retirement, I plan to devote even more effort to giving back to the community and enjoying myself in nature with my family and friends." We are incredibly grateful to the Dreyfous family and many others who make it possible for the YMCA to transform lives each and every day.
PHILANTHROPY AND THE YMCA IN UTAH
HISTORY OF THE YMCA
EXCITING EXPANSION IN WEBER COUNTY
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR: PAM HIGGINSON
"Y I SKI" BUILDS YOUTH CONFIDENCE AND CONNECTION
Exciting things are happening in Weber County. Our programs are expanding to serve more youth and families in the ways they need most. We are opening three new Afterschool Programs in Weber School District at North Park, Municipal, and Washington Terrace Elementary Schools at the beginning of the 2022 - 2023 school year. This exciting new partnership will bring the Y and our youth development programs to new communities. Weber School District is excited about this new partnership and the opportunities our programs bring to their students. The expansion to the three schools is Phase I of a multi-phase plan to build new programs in communities throughout Weber County. We are also growing our Preschool Program. We just completed our first school year at Hillcrest Elementary – and it was an exciting year! The COVID-19 pandemic made it clear how vital high-quality preschool programs are for children's success. During the pandemic, studies estimate that youth lost 4-6 months of learning; for low-income youth, the gap was wider at 6-12 months. Participating in high-quality preschool has been shown to close learning and development gaps and predict success in elementary school. Our programs are more important than ever in providing a solid educational and developmental foundation for vulnerable children. We will be opening a site at Polk Elementary this coming school year and are working with Ogden School District to identify more sites where children need our programs. This expansion could not be possible without key funders, including Big West Oil and Maverik, who were key supporters of our expansion to Hillcrest Elementary school. Big West Oil and Maverik share the YMCA's priorities in providing education opportunities in our community. Crystal Maggelet, President and CEO, shares "As a local family-owned business, our main priority has always been to invest back into the communities of our employees and customers. We will continue to do our part in supporting important education initiatives that help meet the growing needs of our communities. With support from our community and donors like you, we can expand our reach to the youth and families who can become a part of the YMCA family. We are excited to work alongside our partners and continue our expansion throughout Northern Utah!
We'd like to introduce you to the newest member of the Development Team at the Y, Capital Campaign Director, Pam Higginson. Raised in Utah, Pam Higginson joins the YMCA of Northern Utah Leadership team with over 25 years of nonprofit experience. Before coming to her role at the Y, Pam worked at the American Cancer Society as VP of Major Gifts for Utah, Hope Lodge Campaign Director in Utah, and National Principle Gift Officer over Cancer Control and Prevention. Prior to the American Cancer Society, Pam worked at her alma mater, Weber State University, for nearly 10 years. She enjoyed development work as the Director of Development for the Ezekiel R. Dumke and Edna Wattis Dumke College of Health Professions and the Stewart Library. At the university, she found a true love and appreciation for fundraising, donors, and the differences they can make in the lives of those they support, which has grown into a passion. She states, “We each have the ability to make a difference in our own unique and special way." Pam’s leadership skills have not gone unnoticed by the community. She has served on numerous boards through the years, from the President of the Utah Musical Theater and the Ogden Musical Theatre to the Board Chair of the Utah Planned Giving Round Table and the Dumke College of Health Professions. Pam carries an appreciation for nonprofit organizations in Utah and across the country and values the hard work and impact they have in all of our lives. Pam carries on her family’s tradition of service through work, community, and faith. We are incredibly excited to welcome Pam to the Y family!
What better way to build skills, enjoy the great outdoors, and make friends than learning to ski or snowboard? The YMCA Y I Ski program involves youth in winter sports and helps kids and teens to build confidence, socialize with their peers, gain skills, and have fun! During the 2021 – 2022 season, 76 youth were involved in Y I Ski, many of whom hadn't tried skiing or snowboarding before. Others kept growing in their winter sport of choice. The Y I Ski program would not have happened without generous funding and stellar partnerships. The Share Winter Foundation has strongly supported Y I Ski and getting youth involved in winter sports. Constance Beverly, CEO of the Share Winter Foundation, shares, "Share Winter is proud to support the Y I Ski Program. Over the years, the program has grown and created a tremendous impact on the community, creating opportunities for a new generation of skiers and riders. It has been an honor to watch Y youth fall in love with the mountains, gain confidence, and embark on new adventures." We were also fortunate to partner with the Solitude Mountain Resort, who provided excellent instructors. Dan Healy the Director of Mountain Sports and Activities at the resort says “Each year, our Solitude instructors look forward to getting out on the snow with the Y I Ski Program. The multi-week structure of the program allows our team to really bond with these young skiers and snowboarders as we introduce them to the sport. The partnerships that we’ve built with the YMCA of Northern Utah and the Share Winter Foundation are crucial to serving the youth of our community effectively.” One parent shared how it helped their family during COVID-19: “This program helped my kids come out of their shells and gain confidence because they learned new skiing skills. Thank you for making it possible that they get these experiences! It changed their outlook on life and this is so needed during COVID [as] they are less able to socialize.” Another parent shares: “One, it taught them team spirit. Two, those leaders and volunteers brought them great examples about sportsmanship. Thank you!”
MAJOR DONORS & PARTNERS
YMCA OF NORTHERN UTAH 675 E 2100 S, Suite 200 Salt Lake City, UT 84107 1-877-960-9622 ymca@ymcautah.org
INDIVIDUALS Mark Adams Anonymous Charles Archer Lee and Leslie Archer Aaron and Luisa Austad Carolyn Balbierz Andrea Barlow Colleen Bell Jack Blanding Mark and Lynn Brouse Teri Cooper Brian and Joelle Creager John and Noel Davis Brady and Colby Fosmark Jaymie Fung Bingham James and Barbara Gaddis Patrick Green Ryan Hammerschmidt Ramsey Kail Anthony Kaye Jewel Lee Kenley Gitte and John Larsen Dennis Lloyd David Malone Kari McCulloch Michael and Karen McMenomy Jennifer Muyskens Dennis and Joan Mills Scott and Pam Parkinson Jonathan and Laura Pinnock Ashley and Adam Radel Gordan Risser Jennifer Kohler Tom Sayasith Bruce and Tammy Schechinger Jessica Taylor Rich and Sarah West Eric White Trudy Whitehead ORGANIZATIONS Ally Financial American Express Center for Community Development Ruth Eleanor Bamberger and John Ernest Bamberger Memorial Foundation Bank of Utah Big West Oil The Boyer Company Bur Oak Foundation The Castle Foundation Charities Aid Foundation of America Comenity Capital Bank Cyprus Credit Union Lawrence T. & Janet T. Dee Foundation Delta Air Lines Stephen G. and Susan E. Denkers Family Foundation Department of Workforce Services, Office of Child Care Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation Easton Sports Development Foundations Emma Eccles Jones Foundation George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation Marriner S. Eccles Foundation Willard L. Eccles Foundation Henry W. & Leslie M. Eskuche Foundation Franks Family Foundation GSBS Architects Harris Financial Richard K. and Shirley S. Hemingway Foundation David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation Klymit Janet Q. Lawson Foundation Masonic Foundation of Utah Maverik Merrick Bank Corporation Herbert I. and Elsa B. Michael Foundation The Miner Foundation Ralph Nye Charitable Foundation Park City Community Foundation Park City Sunrise Rotary Prime Alliance Bank Rocky Mountain Power Foundation Salt Lake Valley Chevrolet Mackenzie Scott Foundation Share Winter Foundation The Soloman Fund Sorenson Legacy Foundation Stewart Education Foundation Swire Coca-Cola City of Taylorsville Union Pacific Foundation United Way of Northern Utah Utah Association of Financial Services Foundation Utah State Board of Education Walmart Super Center West Valley City CDBG Workers Compensation Fund YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region YMCA of Greater Seattle YMCA of the USA
OUR MISSION: To provide our communities with experiences that enhance healthy mind, body, and spirit while building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mark Adams Aaron Austad Andrea Barlow Colleen Bell Jaymie Fung Bigham Dawn Brandvold Teri Cooper John Davis Brady Fosmark Patrick Green Ryan Hammerschmidt Yvonne Hogle Tony Kaye Jennifer Kohler Dennis Lloyd David Malone Michael McMenomy Tom Sayasith Ray Strong Jessica Taylor Eric White Nailah Blades Wylie