Hello YMCA of the Foothills Family! I hope you and your family got to the opportunity to focus on the collective blessings we have in life and thank those around us for their love and support throughout the year. There is no doubt that 2022 presented all of us with challenges that seemed, at times, unbearable – but in the end we made it through! I can tell you this, your membership and program participation of our Y means the world to us and during this season of giving thanks, we wanted to thank you for all that you do to help support the Y.
I am eternally thankful for my wife Kelly, and our two kids Grey and Noah. We got to spend this Thanksgiving in Phoenix visiting my in-laws and took a trip to the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. Both of our kids just love trains, so we thought it would be a special little treat to take them. We returned home on Saturday November 26th to catch the grand opening of our Annual Tree Lot, and our kids were so excited to see the trees up close. I’m very grateful for all these special experiences.
As we look back on 2022, it’s important to acknowledge the amazing work of our Board of Directors, Staff, and Volunteers that helped us deliver the Y mission to as many people as possible. Their leadership is the cornerstone to the culture we have created: one that is firmly established in love, understanding, and opportunity for ALL people. Since January of this year our Y has been called to meet the needs of our ever-changing communities. We did this through many different programs and services. Here are a few highlights:
Our Y provided a summer camp experience to 300 children a week, at no cost, in a partnership with Glendale Unified School District. We additionally answered the need for afterschool enrichment as part of the State of California Extended Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) serving 170 students per week at Dunsmore and Monte Vista Elementary Schools in a variety of enrichment-based activities.
We have added classes to our group exercise schedule like Pilates and Les Mills, providing access to cardio, strength, and social wellbeing experiences because we believe physical health and emotional health are critically linked.
In August, we relaunched our La Cañada Unified School District Teacher & Staff Wellness Program providing a no-cost membership to all LCUSD teachers and district staff because we believe that healthy and happy teachers and staff help create a nurturing environment for our students.
Our organizational strategies to build a better future for all people were not derailed as we emerged from the pandemic. In fact, our core beliefs were rooted deeper in service to Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. Simply put, we love and care deeply for our community – and we are thankful you are part of it.
As 2022 comes to a close, we want to thank you for your support of your Y, and for you to know what a crucial difference your gifts have made for our community members. Our dedication to serve our neighbors through our impactful outreach, programs and services continues in full force. We have accomplished so much this year, but there is still so much more to do! If you have been blessed this year, we ask that you please consider your Y in your year-end giving plans. With your continued support, we can create a brighter future for even more families in our communities.
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