ANNUAL
CAMPAIGN 2012

You may have noticed our banners in the back lobby on the first floor. These donors have contributed $1,000 and up for this year’s Annual Campaign. Donations of all levels help the Lakewood YMCA live its mission to be here for all in the community, regardless of their economic situation.

To date we have provided more than $100,000 in financial assistance to individals and families, enabling them to participate. All recipients are expected to pay a portion of their membership or program fee, and the rest is covered by the generous donations of our members, businesses and the community at large.

This year, the need has been greater than ever. Please consider a tax-deductible gift of any amount to help those who are struggling. You can make a donation at the Member Service Desk or via our website.You can pay by cash, check or credit card. 

MEMBER FOCUS GROUPS

During September and October we hosted six focus groups with members. The results of these meetings are posted on the bulletin board just inside the front gate, on the wall. We will continue to offer these opportunities to hear from our members. Check for a new schedule of times in January. 

WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK

As a part of our efforts to continue to invite dialog with members, we will be hosting some speciality focus groups. We are such a diverse YMCA, much like the Lakewood community is itself. Our members come from many different countries around the world. We want to make sure individuals and families from different cultures feel welcome at the YMCA. If you are not a native of the U.S. we would like to hear about your involvement at the YMCA and how we might make your experience more meaningful. 

BECOME A CORPORATE HERO

Sponsor the Y at your company or business and the YMCA will provide a week of free membership to all employees and their families.

Sponsor an onsite enrollment at your business and the YMCA will waive the $100 Joiner Fee.

The Y can provide a bow to stern approach for your wellness needs; biometric screenings including cholesterol and glucose, BMI and blood pressure; provide a wellness coaching sessions to explain the numbers to your employees and recommend a plan of action. All of this is done under strict confidence. Provide lunch and learn opportunities or onsite programming and fitness classes.

No one person or organization is alike and the Y can customize a program to meet your needs and remember the YMCA Scholarship Program allows all employees the opportunity to participate.

For more information please contact Mike Caprino at 216-521-8400 or via email.

A MESSAGE FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GARY RICK

At this time of year I would like to thank all of those people who help the YMCA run. From the housekeeping and maintenance staff, fitness center staff, group exercise instructors and personal trainers, child care and camp staff, aquatic instructors and lifeguards, sports staff, member service staff and, of course, program volunteers, board members and senior staff, I would like to say thank you for all that you do.

Sometimes the greatest reward to a staff member is knowing that their efforts matter.  I encourage members to personally thank staff members if you are pleased with the experience a particular staff member provides. 

Gary Rick

ASK THE DOCTOR 

As a service to our members, we will be having two local Medical Doctors come to the Y and volunteer their services to answer general questions that you might have regarding exercise and health.

At 5:30 p.m. Monday, January 14, Dr. Marc Duran of Cleveland Clinic and a member of the Lakewood Family YMCA will be here to answer your questions as they relate to health & wellness. He will be located in our front lobby area. Details to follow, please call 216.521.8400 for more information, or email Branch Director Gary Rick. 

THANKING OUR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN DONORS

Branch Director Gary Rick is in the process of trying to personally visit with and thank all of those persons who made the new Lakewood YMCA facility a reality in 2006. We have a wonderful facility thanks to these folks. Please take a moment to look at the recognition wall above the Member Service Desk for all of these donors. If it was not for these individuals and businesses who contributed, we would not be so blessed. 

MEMBER PROFILE: MARY FLANNERY

Mary Flannery became a member of the Lakewood Family YMCA in 2002. She was previously a step aerobics participant at a fitness facility in the 90’s. She has lived in Lakewood for quite some time and was not aware of the YMCA in Lakewood until a friend mentioned it to her.

She decided to try a step class at the old Lakewood YMCA, before the new facility was built in 2006. She enjoyed the class and the instructor so much, that she decided to join. She liked the fact that the instructors made an effort to know class participants by name.

Mary loves the fact that the YMCA is all-inclusive. There is no pressure here to look a certain way or be a fitness buff. People of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds are encouraged to attend group exercise classes.

After ten years of enjoying classes at the YMCA, Mary was encouraged by an instructor to take over a step class. As she was going through training, she appreciated the fact that YMCA instructors are trained to make everyone feel comfortable.

“No one should be made to feel like they don’t belong, especially anyone who is struggling with coordination, weight-loss, or feeling like they don’t fit in. Instructors are trained to offer modifications to their workouts so that everyone has a chance to participate. This is not a facility for only the beautiful.”

Mary admits that she has struggled with weight all of her life. The YMCA staff are inspired by her because they have watched the weight melt off of her as she has focused on an exercise routine that fits into her schedule. She has been an on-and-off member of Weight Watchers, but she says that the most important part of her healthy lifestyle routine is to try to fit at least a half-hour of exercise into her daily routine, whether that is a walk or jog around the block, or taking a class at the YMCA. She started teaching Step Aerobics in July 2012.

Her advice to members looking to improve their lifestlyle: “Consistency and connection are key. The more you stay away, and the more excuses you make, the more difficult it is to return. The hardest part is getting started, but then your momentum will build. At least a half hour of exercise per day is ideal. Find something you like to do, and stick with it.”

STAFF PROFILES

Please join us in welcoming Lee Ivy, a new addition to our Health & Wellness team. Lee is a personal trainer who started working for the YMCA in Indianapolis in December 2011.

He recently moved here with his family and transferred his employment to our Lakewood Family YMCA. Lee has an impressive history in competitive fitness: he is a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and track. He was ranked in the top 50 recruits in football in the state of Indiana, and was recruited nationally for minor league football. He won a championship in 2008 for the Indianapolis Tornados. His specialty is weight loss, sports fitness, adolescent and child fitness, and he is working on a certification for the national Children’s Fitness Foundation.

He is currently attending Ohio Tech in the automotive program. He has two sons, age eleven and two. He enjoys spending time with his family in his spare time. 

“I love the Y because the members are friendly and family-oriented. I like meeting members, and I like answering their questions. In order to live a healthy lifestyle, I tell members to focus on a manageable diet and exercise routine. Don’t get caught up in over-thinking it or making it too difficult. An important tip to remember is that nutrition is key in order to see results through exercise.”

You may find Keith Krimm lifeguarding in the early mornings at the Lakewood Family YMCA. He started working for the Y in March because he was already swimming at the Lakewood Family YMCA nearly every day. He saw the same lifeguards working every day, asked if they needed help, and was hired on.

Keith’s story is quite inspiring because he started swimming late in life. He was always afraid of the water as a child, yet he overcame that fear by learning to swim in his early twenties. When you talk to Keith, you will notice that one of his main interests is to watch over swimmers and help those who have a fear of the water. He recently received SCUBA rescue diving certification and has a tentative one-year plan to receive an Emergency Medical Technician (E.M.T.) certification.

Keith was always interested in physical fitness; he weightlifted in high school and now frequently swims to help maintain a healthy lifestyle. When asked what advice he would give to anyone who inquires about maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

“It’s not an easy question to answer when a member asks how to improve their healthy lifestyle. There is such a variety of people that come to the YMCA, that every person’s situation will be different. There are many resources available to members to help, all you have to do is ask.”

Keith likes to get to know members when lifeguarding. “The variety of people that come to the Y are either trying to get fit or are competitive athletes. Everyone is trying to get better and improve their lives, and it is fun to hear people’s stories. The common thread in everyone here is that everyone is trying to improve their lives.”

Keith believes that one step in the right direction to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is to get to know your neighbor. Keith enjoys getting to know people and introducing himself. He has learned that getting to know the members only makes the pool a more safe, secure, and fun environment for all.