DULUTH AREA FAMILY YMCA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
DOWNTOWN DULUTH YMCA - PAGE 2
YMCA AT THE ESSENTIA WELLNESS CENTER - PAGE 8
YMCA COMMUNITY SERVICES - PAGE 10
YMCA CAMP MILLER - PAGE 16
COOK COUNTY COMMUNITY YMCA - PAGE 22
ASSOCIATION UPDATES - PAGE 25
YMCA OF THE USA
BRANCH UPDATES - SEPTEMBER 2023
Duluth Area Family YMCA
Exciting changes in our wellness center include new cardio equipment integrated with Bluetooth technology. Explore featured global routes, save favorite workouts, and personalize your fitness journey.
Downtown Duluth YMCA
Exciting news: our YMCA is renovating stairwells for improved aesthetics and functionality: Upgraded Lighting: Modern, energy-efficient lighting for safety and a welcoming atmosphere. Fresh Paint: A new, clean look for a modern environment. Enhanced Floor Treads: Safer stairs with better grip and durability. Way-Finding Graphics: Visual cues for easier navigation within the YMCA. These changes aim to enhance member experience, prioritizing aesthetics, safety, and convenience. Minor inconveniences during construction are appreciated for your patience. Our goal is a more enjoyable environment for your health and wellness journey.
Starting in October, our 2023-2024 Northerns swimmers kick off an exciting journey! This competitive program, led by skilled coaches, enhances swimming skills, builds endurance, and promotes a healthy lifestyle rooted in our core values: Respect, Responsibility, Caring, and Honesty. Find more information at duluthymca.org.
Exciting changes in our wellness center include new cardio equipment integrated with Bluetooth technology. Explore featured global routes, save favorite workouts, and personalize your fitness journey.. Alongside our cardio gear, we've added the Nautilus Glute Drive in our strength training section, targeting glute muscles efficiently and safely. These updates aim to elevate your YMCA experience and support your fitness goals
Woodland's Halloween Spooktacular returns for a hauntingly good time on October 22! Last year's event featured spooky snacks, face mask mummy transformations, bingo, and trick-or-treating. Join us for more eerie fun this year!
Our Woodland BBQ on September 8th was a hit! Families enjoyed fire truck tours, face painting, and the gaga pit. Inside, Aikido and Taekwondo demos, a bouncy house, and delicious food delighted everyone. Grateful for donations from Whole Foods Co-op, Cenex, and Woodland Marketplace! Our Aerials gymnastics team hosted a successful Flip-a-Thon fundraiser, featuring athletes and coaches showcasing flips. Congrats to the athlete winners: Genevieve, Gianna B, Delaney, Phi, and Josie! Over 200 community members joined us, making it an unforgettable event!
Our YMCA welcomes over 100 students from Harbor City International and ISD 709’s Alternative Learning Center. They utilize our gym for physical education and basketball, fostering healthy habits and enhancing their educational experience.
Join us every Tuesday and Friday from 9-11 a.m., where preschool-aged kids, accompanied by a supervising adult, can enjoy a safe and unique playtime. Our facility provides access to gymnastics equipment and age-appropriate toys, creating a fun and engaging environment. Many families have already embraced this program, forging lasting connections with others in our community.
"After camp ends, the fun doesn't stop! During the gap week between summer and the school year, the YMCA Fun Days at Essentia Wellness Center kept the spirit alive. Our Camp Miller counselors and Kids Club staff created a vibrant week of activities, bringing together teams from different departments. Enthusiastic staff dove into crafts, outdoor games, and pool time, dedicating themselves to the kids' joy and success. Their energy was infectious, fostering camaraderie and adventure among the children. The event wasn't just about activities—it united our staff beyond their usual roles. From counselors to various department members, they collaborated seamlessly, ensuring the program's success. Each played a crucial part, whether planning activities, supervising pool time, or assisting with crafts. This week was pure fun, all thanks to our dedicated staff. Their commitment ensured every child had an unforgettable experience. We're excited for the smiles and laughter at our next event!"
Y at Boo at the Zoo: October 14th & 21st Halloween Spooktacular at Woodland: October 22nd
Mark Your Calendars to come Play with Us
YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center
Lake Superior College is back for fall Intramurals at our gym and rock wall. With 50 students in Tuesday volleyball and 4 basketball teams on Wednesdays, our facility is bustling. Additionally, 23 students have joined our rock wall program to climb and learn holds and techniques, with the chance to test for Belay certification.
Our fencing program now boasts upgraded scoring equipment for more accurate point allocation. This enhancement promises an elevated experience for beginners and competitive fencers at our YMCA!
September ended on an educational note with a Lunch N Learn session on September 26th. Mike led an insightful discussion on "Medicare 101," helping attendees navigate the complexities of Medicare. This event was an invaluable resource for those seeking clarity on their healthcare options.
September 5th through September 10th was welcome week at our Essentia Wellness Center YMCA. During this week, everyone was able to come in and try the Y for free and anyone who wanted to sign up for a membership had their join fee waived. There were also Y related trivia questions throughout the week such as "How many gallons of water are there in our aquatics area?" and "How many check ins did we have on this specific day?" All the winners who guessed closest to the correct number received a free smoothie from Individual Nutrition.
September has been an exciting month, filled with a variety of events that have brought our Forever Well group together for both socializing and learning. The month kicked off with the Buffalo House Walk/Bike/Social event, held on Wednesday, September 6th. We gathered to enjoy a day of outdoor activities, connecting and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. It was an excellent opportunity to explore the beauty of our community while socializing. From September 18th to the 22nd, our community observed Falls Prevention Week. This vital initiative aimed to raise awareness about preventing falls, particularly among older adults. A "Lunch N Learn" event was held during this week, featuring an informative session with an Essentia physical therapist. Participants learned valuable tips and strategies to stay safe and prevent falls.
Chuck-A-Puck Event Monday October 16th, pucks can be purchased prior to the event or anytime during the event that will run from 8 am through 8 pm.
Cribbage enthusiasts gathered at Woodland on Wednesday, September 13th for the Matt Shykes Memorial Cribbage Tournament. The event was a testament to the camaraderie within our community, as players tested their card-playing skills and enjoyed some friendly competition. Prizes were given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.
The Youth in Government Program kicked off on September 25. Youth across our region have participated in Youth in Government (YIG), an immersive four days that includes focused discussions on current issues, a wide variety of social events, engaging evening activities, time for small-group reflection, and hands-on leadership development.
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Community Services
True North AmeriCorps welcomed a new cohort of members at orientation on September 1! Members learned about behavior management, the importance of social emotional learning (SEL), and dived into SEL lesson plans through curriculum exploration. The cohort soon gathered again in honor of 9/11 Day of Service.
The Duluth Area Family YMCA is committed to feeding the community and does so with a variety of programs. With the start of the school year our recreation centers times have changed to better serve youth in the community. Free meals for youth are available at the Gary New Duluth Recreation Center Monday-Thursday at 2:30 p.m. when the program is open and Monday- Friday at the Harbor Highlands Community Center with Snack at 3:00 p.m. and Dinner at 5:30 p.m. You can also receive a free meal kit from 4:00-5:30 p.m. at the YMCA at Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown. Each meal kit contains ingredients for a family of four to create breakfast and dinner.
The Duluth Area Family YMCA's Out-of-School Time (OST) programs have begun the school year with over 900 registered youth. There are 9 Duluth Public Schools KEY Zone programs, 2 Duluth Edison Charter Eagle's Nest programs, and 2 drop-in programs at Harbor Highlands Community Center and the Gary New Duluth Recreation Center. These programs offer academic support, enrichment activities, nature exploration, STEM, and more, ensuring a safe and engaging environment for youth. After-school programs not only provide a safe place for children while parents work but also help enhance social and emotional skills, narrowing the achievement gap. Volunteers are welcome to make a difference in our community!
The program starts in late fall when students in grades 8-12 form a YIG delegation, which will hold meetings for their group leading up to the conference. High School students will choose to serve as legislators, judges, attorneys, lobbyists, media representatives, or cabinet members. Eighth-grade students start by participating as a member of the Leadership Corps where they will get to experience all areas of the program to allow them a chance to choose how to continue their YIG journey in high school. Registration is now open for more participants at duluthumca.org/register. For more information, please contact Lydia Jones at 218-722-4745 x319 or ljones@duluthymca.org.
We are thankful to live and serve along the shores of the Gichigami. That is why for 9/11 Day of Service, True North AmeriCorps conducted a beach clean-up on Park Point. Learn more about 9/11 Day of Service and AmeriCorps by
Association Administration
Mark Your Calendars!
Marching Onward with Pride: The Grand Finale at Twin Ports Pride! Nothing could dampen our spirits on the main drag in Superior! The blazing sun, the thick humidity - we faced it all head-on. With heads held high and hearts full of pride, we took each step along the route. Our beacon of unity, the "FOR ALL" banner, proudly led our devoted crew of YMCA volunteers. With beaming smiles and waves that echoed our message, we shared the love by distributing our coveted rainbow can sleeves. Each gesture was a testament to our commitment to inclusivity and celebration.
The Duluth Area Family YMCA stood strong, proudly representing Twin Ports Pride alongside the vibrant Duluth and Superior communities. This annual extravaganza is a cornerstone of our community involvement, and we cherish every moment. Pride holds a special place in the hearts of the LGBTQIA+ community, and we stand shoulder-to-shoulder, proud to be a part of it. Once again, we joined forces with the Superior YMCA, proudly taking our place as Sapphire-level sponsors for this incredible weekend of unity and celebration.
The Y’s Community Services Branch Fundraising event: DiffeRUNce 5K-October 28 starting at 10:00 a.m. Registration is now open at duluthymca.org/register.
True North AmeriCorps 20th Anniversary on November 1st, 2023, from 5:00-8:00pm at Zeitgeist 222 E Superior St, Duluth, MN 55802
We are one of the biggest features for the family-friendly area for the Pride Festival at Bayfront. Kids and families had a blast with yard games, struck their best poses in front of our YMCA photo backdrop with playful props, and unleashed their creativity with our temporary tattoo station! Our friends at Superior YMCA introduced a pronoun pin creation station, allowing everyone to proudly declare their pronouns and to be seen for who they are!
The Harbor Highlands Youth Program, open to ages 5-17, operates Monday to Friday from 3:00-5:45 p.m. In the first month, participants-built birdhouses with local architect Jeff, enjoyed swimming at the Hermantown YMCA, and learned about nutrition by making pizzas and smoothies. The program looks forward to hosting the Coordinated Approach to Children's Health Programming and attending Outdoor Education Day at the University of Minnesota Duluth. With many smiling faces, the program aims to build on the skills developed during the summer for a successful school year ahead!
Official Fall Camp Miller Work Weekend
September is the month of recruitment! As we switch gears from summer volunteer opportunities & internships to fall, the Volunteer & Internship Coordinator has been busy attending Volunteer & Job Fairs at the local colleges, re-establishing contacts with former students, University Faculty, high school students, local service clubs, businesses that encourage employee volunteerism and Y members who show an interest in volunteering. It takes a tremendous amount of time and research to establish and maintain this list of contacts, but the hope is we engage more people with the Y and ultimately, with each other and the community.
The HR team has been visiting a few job fairs this season! A few include the Volunteer Fair at UMD, Experience Fair at CSS, Jacket Fest at UWS, and a Career & Internship Fair at UMD. The biggest need right now is for Youth Specialists, and we are eagerly looking to fill 20+ shifts within the Out of School Time program to allow more children to get off of the waitlist for the program.
HUB:
Work Anniversary:
Fun Committee:
To get camp ready for the winter season, we have an annual work weekend. Groups or individual volunteers are encouraged to spend time at camp assisting with facility and property projects. There are never shortages of projects and maintenance needs including building, repairing, cleaning, raking, organizing & painting. Join us for a fun day down at camp! There is no minimum age to volunteer, however, we ask that youth under 12 have adult supervision.
We hosted an in person Volunteerism class at the YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center. 17 staff attended and are one step closer to achieving their Team Leader Certification.
The fun committee was able to acquire UMD Hockey tickets for both the Men’s and Women’s team games. In September, we gave away 8 sets of tickets for games in October by asking a survey question of “If you had the choice of a snack at the game, what would it be?” We collected 128 responses from staff and volunteers and most selected cheese curds, nachos, and pretzels as their go-to snack. We can’t wait to hear how the winners enjoy the upcoming games!
When: Sunday October 15 Time: Work projects are available between 9am-5pm Where: YMCA Camp Miller, Sturgeon Lake, MN Camp Miller is located about 45 minutes south of Duluth.
Sydney Hanna reached 5 years at the Y on September 4th. Sydney is a gymnastics coach at the Woodland Community Center. Sydney has been an integral part of making the program successful in many ways and we appreciate her continued commitment to the program. Roberta Goodreau celebrated 10 years at the Y on September 16th and has been working as a youth specialist with the Out of School Time program primarily with the Laura MacArthur location. We are thankful for Roberta’s continued service with the children in the Laura Mac community!
HUMAN RESOURCES
Recruitment:
Volunteer Update
Development
The Hourly Club is an opportunity for staff members to donate one hour of their pay per pay period back to the Duluth Area Family YMCA. This gives our team members the opportunity to engage in our fundraising efforts, lead by example, and connect to the Y’s community impact. By pledging to our Hourly Club, our staff members acknowledge that with one hour of their paycheck, they have the power to come together as a team and make the Y’s services more inclusive and accessible to all!
Upcoming Events: October 3rd: The Flock will begin their migration throughout the branches!
This past month, we have revived two of our classic staff giving initiatives: Flocking and the Hourly Club! Flocking is a staff fundraising initiative where staff members can donate to send a flock of pink flamingos to their coworkers’ desks! Flocks vary in size based on the donation made, but all bring a delightful amount of pink to the office space. While it’s fun to host our pink pals, they have a big migration to make, so they only stay at each desk for one day before flying to the next desk! This tradition hasn’t been reintroduced to the Duluth Area Family Y for a few years, but staff members have quickly joined the fun and started planning some stops for our Flock!