Monthly Newsletter | Cleveland YMCA

Vertical Divider

Stories in this issue:
1. Invite your friends and family to join us!
2. It’s not too late to sign up for summer camp. (But hurry!)
3. Swimming lessons save lives and open the door to healthy fun.
4. We’re hiring those who want more than a job!
5. Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program
6. Not sure about a COVID vaccination? Listen to our live stream panel.
7. We’re adding virtual programming offerings every week!
8. You can help us deliver on our mission!
9. Donor Spotlight: Saltzman Youth Panel of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland

Vertical Divider

Invite your friends and family to join us!
In April, members can invite their friends and relatives to try the Y on Fridays. If they decide to join that day, they’ll save the $100 joiner fee! Now, you have the power to bring all the Y has to offer to those you love and give them big savings! All you need to do is give them a Friends & Family Friday guest pass which you can get at your branch or print out here Clevelandymca.org/joinacause.

You know the Y is a cause-driven organization. We believe that a strong community can only be achieved when we invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors. That is why our areas of focus are youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Now you can invite those you love to explore all the YMCA of Greater Cleveland has to offer - from wellness to child care to volunteerism. They will find out what you already know – the Y has something for everyone! The no-joiner offer for Friends & Family Friday ends on April 30, so start inviting now!

Vertical Divider

It’s not too late to sign up for the Best Summer Ever! (But hurry!)
There is no place like the YMCA Summer Camp - A home away from home where kids laugh, learn, explore and grow, all while creating memories and friendships that last a lifetime! The YMCA of Greater Cleveland knows that every kid is different. That is why we offer camps for your child's needs: day, sports, fine arts and drama. The Y is one of the largest providers of camp programs in the nation, serving 1.4 million youth and adults at camps every year.
Learn More

Vertical Divider

Swimming lessons save lives and open the door to healthy fun
A 2020 report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) showed an average of 379 children under age 15 die in reported drownings linked to pools or spas each year, with 71 percent happening at residential locations. Another 6,700 children wind up in hospital emergency rooms each year for injuries related to drownings, an equivalent of 18 children per day.

Here in Northeast Ohio, where we border a Great Lake, we believe every child must have swimming and safety around water lessons. The YMCA has long been America’s favorite swimming instructor. Whether just learning how to swim, improving strokes, swimming competitively or taking water exercise classes, mem bers are in safe hands with our certified swimming instructors and lifeguards. We have financial aid for those who qualify.
Learn More

Vertical Divider

We’re hiring those who want more than a job!
Looking for a job that helps kids, families and adults reach their full potential? The Y has great part time, flexible positions in our School Age Child Care, Lifeguard and Swim Instructor programs available right now. Employees receive a complimentary Y membership, discounts on Y classes, programs and child care.

We offer both full-time and part-time career opportunities in a variety of areas. At the Y, you'll create solutions for kids, families and communities. You will apply your experience and knowledge to make a real difference in the lives of those around you. And, you'll put your imagination and creativity to work in an environment built upon teamwork and community.
Learn More

Vertical Divider

Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program
One in three American adults has high blood pressure --- but only half of them has it under control.

Our evidence-based Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program is proven to help you take control, and it's even easier now than ever for you to participate. You can participate in the comfort of your own home. We even have grant funding that will support you, but don't delay because the funding is temporary.

Learn more by emailing us at healthyliving@clevelandymca.org.

Vertical Divider

Not sure about a COVID vaccination? Listen to our live stream panel on April 18.
A COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you by creating an antibody (immune system) response if you are exposed to this disease. Widespread vaccination means the coronavirus will not infect as many people. This will limit spread through our communities and restrict the virus’s opportunity to continue mutating into new variants. The vaccines are safe. Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines under the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history.

Yet not everyone is on board with the idea of getting vaccinated. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that a majority (55%) of U.S. adults now say they have received at least one dose of the vaccine (18%) or that they will get it as soon as they can (37%). The share that wants to “wait and see” how the vaccine is working for others before getting vaccinated themselves decreased from 31% in January to 22% in February. Meanwhile, a persistent one in five says they will get the vaccine “only if required for work, school, or other activities” (7%) or will “definitely not” get vaccinated (15%). Finally, half of Black adults and about one-third of Hispanic adults (35%) report vaccine hesitancy.

We are moving in a good direction, but clearly, there is more work to do to help people understand why getting a vaccination for COVID-19 is important for them, their loved ones and our community. To help communicate this message, the YMCA of Greater Cleveland is conducting a live stream with a panel of local experts on April 18 at 3:00 p.m. You will learn more about the medical and social responsibility aspects of COVID-10 vaccinations. You can join us by going to our Facebook page that day and time at facebook.com/GreaterClevelandY.

We’re adding virtual programming offerings every week!

We hope you have checked out our members-only virtual programming site that offers YMCA wellbeing experiences for all. You will find new offerings from your favorite Y instructors who guide and motivate you with an exclusive collection of LIVE and on-demand in fitness, wellbeing, child enrichment and more. If you can’t make a streaming class, no problem. Just view our ever-growing collection of on-demand videos. Work out when, how and where you want. The best part, our virtual programming is included in your membership! Explore Virtual Y

Vertical Divider

You can help us deliver on our mission!
Despite the challenges brought about by the COVID pandemic, the YMCA of Greater Cleveland kept on serving our community. We continued to take on some of society’s biggest challenges, such as narrowing the academic achievement gap, addressing pressing public health issues (including addiction, homelessness, loneliness and isolation) and working to eliminate racial inequity and social injustice in our community.

The YMCA of Greater Cleveland is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) charity that works to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, can learn, grow and thrive. We rely on donations from members, foundations, businesses and community members to accomplish our mission.

We are excited to be kicking off our annual campaign! Your generous philanthropic support helps the YMCA to continue providing exceptional programs in our areas of focus – youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

Consider donating to your YMCA today! You can give at your local branch, online, or mail in your contribution. Thank you for supporting the YMCA of Greater Cleveland!

Donor Spotlight: Saltzman Youth Panel of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland
Last month, the YMCA’s Y Haven program received a grant of $1,225 for its Rising Hope and Continuing Recovery programs from the Saltzman Youth Panel of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. The Saltzman Youth Panel was established in 1998 to perpetuate the goals of Maurice Saltzman, a past board chair of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland who cared deeply about educating the next generation of Jewish leaders.

Each year, a new Saltzman Youth Panel (comprised of approximately 40 area high school juniors and seniors from different Jewish backgrounds) is selected to learn about the philanthropic process and respond to Jewish and general community needs. Together, these teens make decisions about allocating up to $45,000 in funding while learning about community decision-making, leadership, and most importantly, tzedakah (charity).

Rising Hope is part of a larger program, Y-Haven, that serves those with any substance use disorder. Rising Hope was developed in 2017 when the Cuyahoga County Alcohol and Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board asked Y-Haven to develop Opioid-specific programming in response to an overwhelming community need.

All residents who exit the program are linked with Y-Haven’s Continuing Recovery Program which works with former residents for 6 months providing case management, individual counseling and support groups. The staff in the Continuing Recovery actively reach out to former residents and track their progress. Since the Continuing Recovery program began, the mortality rate of those leaving the program has fallen drastically, and the recurrence of homelessness has also been reduced.

We are thrilled to have received this generous gift from the Saltzman Youth Panel as well as promote the work of this youth-focused philanthropy initiative!

Thanks to Our Many Generous Donors!
The Y is a nonprofit that relies on contributions to fulfill its mission. Many may not realize that membership fees alone do not cover our costs. Our mission extends beyond providing fitness centers and exercising programs. Your contributions allow us to provide reduced-cost programming to those in need, addiction treatment, help for the homeless and so much more. Thanks to these individuals for the support that helps us serve our community.

We are so very humbled by the support of the Grossman family. To make a gift to the YMCA, please contact Beth Darmstadter, Chief Philanthropy Officer, 440-749-7442, or bdarmstadter@clevelandymca.org or click here.

Vertical Divider