West Park-Fairview Family YMCA
A BRANCH OF THE YMCA OF GREATER CLEVELAND

www.ClevelandYMCA.org
WINTER
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UPCOMING EVENTS

YMCA Life Guard Classes

December 28, 29, 30

Cost for the three-day class is $250.

Jr. Cavaliers Youth Basketball League starts the week of January 7, 2013.

Register through January 4.

Cost is $45 for Y Members, and $85 for Non-Members.

 

WILLIAM NORRIS IS NOW ‘IN THE SWIM’ THANKS TO HIS INSTRUCTOR

This is a story about four people; three of which were looking for special type of teacher.  The other person in this story is Pat.  Pat has been teaching at the West Park-Fairview Family YMCA for the last 15 years. Pat believes that every child can learn no matter what their ability level.

The Norris family had been on a mission to get their son William involved in some kind of swimming program. They tried many different pools and they couldn't find the right venue for William.

Mr. Norris couldn't believe that Pat didn't have to meet with him first before putting him in the class. Pat worked with him and was also able to put him in class with other kids his own age.

For the first time William was with his peers. It was a great accomplishment for the family and William, not only to find a teacher but a place where their child could just be himself.

His development began to take off.  William has participated in the school band, running cross country, and the Special Olympics.

Pat has been with him for six years and still works with him every Saturday afternoon.

She has given this family hope.

William will now be joining the master swim team for adults at the West Park Y.

Pat's journey with her swim kids has been amazing to witness.  She is the most requested teacher and we are very lucky to have here at the West Park Y.
A MESSAGE FROM BRANCH DIRECTOR HEATHER DUCLOUX
 

I want to take this opportunity to wish all of the West Park-Fairview Family Y members and the community Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year.

2012 has been a testament to the tremendous dedication and fortitude of the West Park Y staff and members.  I want to thank everyone for their graciousness welcoming new staff, and their patience with some of the facility challenges.

I also want to thank all of the Y donors for their selfless gifts.  So far, the 2012 Strong Kids Campaign is at 79.14% of goal.  This means we still need to raise $10,555 which helps to underwrite many of the programs, activities and scholarships that the Y provides for families, youth and individuals, who otherwise could not afford access.

As the temperatures drop and the holiday celebrations begin, I want to encourage everyone to think about using the Y as a resource.  According to the National Institutes of Health, the period from Thanksgiving to the New Year, is the largest period of weight gain for many Americans.

The Y is here to offer you support and fun activities in our Wellness and Group Exercise areas.  Some community members increase their volunteer activity. 

The Y was built on the spirit of volunteerism and is always looking for individuals or groups to offer their time and talent to the Y.  And lastly, the Y is an organization that understands the frenetic lives of our community members.

If you have a collaboration idea that would bring the Y into the community we serve, please contact me.

Many blessings to you and your family.

Heather DuCloux

ANNUAL CAMPAIGN SPOTLIGHT

Since the Civil War, the Y has been a source of comfort and support for the military and their spouses.  The Y’s role in 2012 is no different.

At the West Park-Fairview Family YMCA, Frieda Smith (not her real name) and her family have been members since June of 2012. They are a military family.

This year, Frieda’s husband, an Army Inspection Non-Commissioned Officer was assigned to an unaccompanied tour in Korea.  After seven years at various U.S. Army bases, including Ft. Benning and Ft. Knox, Frieda decided to set up residency in Cleveland with her in-laws.

On any given weekday you may see Frieda, her two-year-old son, her six-year-old daughter, and her mother-in-law, Joy, enjoying a variety of classes at the Y.

Since joining the Y, the daughter has enjoyed both swimming lessons and children’s hip-hop classes.  Additionally, Frieda and Joy enjoy classes together, such as Zumba, Cycling and Power Sculpt while her son is safe in Child Watch.

Frieda is an advocate for the Y and for Y group exercise classes.

“They will help you achieve your goal,” she said.

Access to the Y and the various programs, for the Smith family, is made possible through donors to the Y’s Annual Campaign.

Frieda admits that if it weren’t for the Y, she would be miserable at home. 

“Because of the Y, she said, “You meet a lot of different people and have fun.  [And] there’s a lot of nice people.”