THE GATEWAY FAMIlY YMCA www.tgfymca.org DECEMBEr 2015

AS WE APPROACH THE CONCLUSION OF ANOTHER

GREAT YEAR, I am humbled by all we do to transform thelives of those around us every day. For over 115 years, TheGateway YMCA has served the communities of EasternUnion County and northern Middlesex County, workingclosely with our neighbors and donors to create a better us.

THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO BUILD ABETTER US.  As a friend and neighbor, you are aware ofthe unique challenges we face in our community. People of all ages and backgrounds are struggling to reach theirfull potential. More and more children face seeminglyinsurmountable learning gaps and parents struggle tobalance long work hours with supportive child care providers.In our changing family structure, working caregiversstruggle to find compassionate adult day care for theirloved ones. Families find it difficult to spend quality timetogether. Our neighbors struggle to find affordable housingand sustainable jobs. People are not connected to theirneighbors and face time happens through a phone. And,instead of seeing the income gap shrink, it seems all we dois watch it grow.

But when challenges arise, The Gateway Family YMCA – and donors like you – steps in. We understand what ourcommunity needs to be at its best. Working with generousdonors like you, the Y provides everyone the opportunity to be healthy and thrive, to connect with others, transformtheir lives and contribute to a better community. Everythingwe do at The Gateway Family YMCA is in service of makingus – as individuals and a community – better.

WE BELIEVE THAT A BETTER YOU MAKES A BETTER

US.  Everyone has a very different Y story and ourorganization means so much to so many that it amazes meevery day. Your stories are what make the work we do atThe Gateway Family YMCA so special. Whether you cameto the Y to learn to swim and stayed because you found anendearing sense of community, or you came to playbasketball and joined our Togetherhood volunteer group, or

you made a donation ofsupport and were forevermoved by the stories that wereshared at an event, or came tothe Y for fitness and stayed forfriendship, we are there as a steady partner in yourpersonal journey to better health and your partner increating a better community.

2015 has been an exciting year when thinking back on theimpact we have made together. We’ve seen our membersgo through amazing transformations in programs such aslIVESTRONG® at the YMCA, a twelve week wellness andrecovery program for cancer survivors. We’ve seen theprogress of those diagnosed with prediabetes struggling toregain their health in our Diabetes Prevention Program,forever changing their lives and thwarting the onset ofdiabetes. We’ve partnered with local physicians seekingbetter health for their patients and social workers seeking ahome and support system for families in crisis. We’ve builtpartnerships to create lasting change in the communitieswe serve, such as Shaping Elizabeth. We’ve provided freememberships for all 7th grade students in our communityworking to instill life-long healthy habits and provide astrong relationship and support system to help themthroughout their future lives.

BECAUSE WE BELIEVE EVERY PERSON AND EVERY

COMMUNITY DESERVES A CHANCE TO THRIVE, AND

SO DO YOU. As a partner of the Y, we ask that you join usin celebrating the amazing transformations in our members’lives. As you read the stories throughout this newsletter,remember that you — our donors — are instrumental inproviding us the support to fill the gaps where society fallsshort. With partners like you, the Y has the power tostrengthen our community and positively impact the lives ofthose around us.

For a better you. For a better community. For a bettercountry.

The Y.™ For a better us.™

DID YOUKNOW?

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT®

FOR HEALTHY LIVING

FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

TRANSFORMING LIVES

KrYSTAl r. CAnADYChief Executive Officer

The Gateway Family YMCA . . .

With a commitment to nurturing

the potential of youth, promoting

healthy living and fostering a

sense of social responsibility, The

Gateway Family YMCA ensures

that every individual has access to

the essentials needed to learn,

grow and thrive.

The Y welcomes all who wish to

participate and believes that no

one should be denied access based

on their financial ability. Our

Financial Assistance program

provides assistance for youth,

adults and families and is

supported by our Annual Support

Campaign.

THE Y ISOPEN TO ALL

WELCOMES ALL With our doors open to all, the Y brings

together people from all backgrounds and supports those

who need us most by providing financial assistance for

members, programs and services.

SAFETY AROUND WATER With a commitment to

ensuring people learn the skills they need to make swimming

a lifelong pursuit for staying healthy, we provide swim

lessons and water safety skills instruction to improve lives

and reduce the risk of drowning in our neighborhoods.

IMPACTS HEALTH Since 2012, we have provided

the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program to 40 members

diagnosed with pre-diabetes, creating an opportunity

to regain their health and stop the disease progression.

As part of this initiative, we have provided over 160

participants with free diabetes screenings at our branches.

PROVIDES HOMES Every night, The Gateway Family

YMCA housing programs provide homes for over 350 people.

But it’s more than a shelter that we provide. Our housing

programs not only combat homelessness, we provide wrap-

around social services, emergency shelter, programs to

provide support for recovery from addiction.

CREATES FAMILY TIME The Gateway Family YMCA

provides free memberships to families of children in our

preschool and school age child care programs as well as the

families of those attending our W.I.S.E. adult day services

program, allowing them to connect, recharge and get healthy

together.

NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT Our donors, members,

volunteers, supporters, and staff demonstrate the power of

what we can achieve by giving back together. Our Annual

Campaign provides funds to support the financial assistance

program at The Gateway Family YMCA.

ASSOCIATION OFFICE 144 Madison Avenue, Elizabeth, nJ 07201 908.249.4800

ELIzABETH BRANCH 135 Madison Avenue, Elizabeth, nJ 07201 908.355.9622

FIVE POINTS BRANCH 201 Tucker Avenue, Union, nJ 07083 908.688.9622

WELLNESS CENTER BRANCH 1000 Galloping Hill rd., Union, nJ 07083 908.349.9622

RAHWAY BRANCH 1564 Irving Street, rahway, nJ 07065 732.388.0057

SENIOR LEADERSHIPTEAM

Krystal r. CanadyChief Executive Officer

Melynda A. MileskiEVP, Chief Operating Officer

Dennis J. McnanySVP, Chief Financial Officer

Marilyn D. Phinn, SPHrVP, Chief Human resources Officer

OPERATIONS TEAMDanielle B. Cioffi

District Executive DirectorElizabeth and Five Points

rodger D. Koerberrahway Branch Executive

E. Paul MickiewiczWellness Center Branch Executive

*Y Homes, Inc.

BOARD OF DIRECTORSOfficers

PrESIDEnTJoseph r. Venezia

VICE PrESIDEnTJames MastersonEugene Maxwell

SECrETArYSharon Patel

TrEASUrErMichael Minitelli

ASSISTAnT TrEASUrErJohn Forrester

IMMEDIATE PAST PrESIDEnTJohn ludington

Members

Jeffrey BeckDerek Chiao

Mark De nobleKaren Ensle

Anne Evans Estabrook*Paul Fernandez

Christine HrycenkoMaria IrizarryDavid Jenkins

Philip Krevsky, Esq.Eugene Mitchell

Elsa MunizCalvin Sierra

Ann Zwiebel revaitis

In June, we celebrated the official Grand Opening of the rahway Branch,

celebrating the completion of a year-long expansive renovation. With the

renovations, the rahway Branch has opportunities for individuals,

organizations and corporations to leave a lasting legacy for all to see.

CREATE A LEGACY

BRICK CAMPAIGNWe have renovated the courtyard at the rahway Branch and have begun

installing personalized bricks, showcasing those who have partnered with us on

this path to creating a stronger community. A $150 tax-deductible donation

will reserve your personalized brick to be placed in the courtyard at the rahway

Branch as a testament to your support of our Y.

Throughout the beautifully renovated facility, there are many opportunities to

show your support through a naming opportunity. Whether you feel an affinity

with a particular area of the facility or are an avid sponsor of the arts, youth

development, aquatics or physical health and well-being, now is the time to

claim your opportunity to show your support in the form of a plaque.

For more information on the Brick Campaign or naming Opportunities at the

rahway Branch, please contact Marilyn Phinn at The Gateway Family YMCA’s

Association Office at 908-249-4800.

NAMING OPPORTUNITIES

MISSIONTHE  GATEWAY  FAMILY  YMCA is a community-based

organization rooted in Christian principles and committed

to building healthy lives through programs that strengthen

spirits, minds and bodies for people of all ages, religions

and cultures.

The 7th Grade Initiative is designed to

increase physical activity and support teens in

the development of lifelong healthy habits.

We recognize that middle school is a pivotal

time in youth development, where sports

become more competitive and teens begin to

become less active. We believe in providing

these students with a positive environment,

where healthy habits can be learned and

reinforced, where new friendships can be

made and where positive programs and role

models are part of the daily routine.

Through the 7th Grade Initiative at The

Gateway Family YMCA, we are providing all

local 7th grade students with a free

ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES FOR GROWTH

40 members of our community diagnosed with

prediabetes, creating an opportunity to regain

their health and stop the disease progression.

As part of this initiative, we have provided over

160 participants with free diabetes screenings

at our branches, and have partnered with local

physicians in increasing awareness of prediabetes

in the community.

Studies show that healthier eating, increasing

your physical activity and reducing your body

weight by 7% can help reduce your risk of

developing diabetes and improve your overall

health. The Gateway Family YMCA is one of 186

Ys delivering this evidence-based program to the

community. Over 36,000 participants have

attended a YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program

at their local Y.

membership to our Y. In addition to the physical benefits

of a YMCA membership, we are providing a place outside

of school hours to connect and grow relationships to last a

lifetime. The Y has become a second home to many of

our teens as they see us as a safe place to go after school

to hang out with friends, build relationships and work

toward improving their health.

Our staff works closely with these teens creating an

environment where health, support, caring and friendship

becomes a strong habit to continue as they grow. Many

teens continue with us at the Y after their year in the

program and consider our staff role models and friends,

stopping by and sharing their academic and personal

achievements.

The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program

is a community-based lifestyle

improvement program for adults with

prediabetes. Its purpose is to empower

adults with lasting lifestyle changes that

will improve their overall health and

reduce their chance of developing Type 2

Diabetes. The YMCA’s Diabetes

Prevention Program uses a CDC-approved

curriculum and is part of the CDC-led

national Diabetes Prevention Program.

Currently, diabetes affects nearly 29

million people. Another 86 million have

prediabetes and are at risk of developing

diabetes, but only 11 percent are aware

of it. Since 2012, we have provided the

YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program to

MEASURABLE PROGRESS, UNLIMITED SUPPORT

“It is so very important to teach

our children about water safety –

one of the reasons why I chose

the Y! No other organization

focuses as much on family than

what all YMCA’s provide.”

—ErYn JEAn, MEMBEr

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT®

FOR HEALTHY LIVING

FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Y:  Strengthening the foundations of community.

TAKING ACTION, CHANGING ODDSlIVESTRONG® at the YMCA is a nationally recognized

twelve week, evidence-based program that helps adult

cancer survivors reclaim their health and well-being

following a cancer diagnosis. This program fulfills the

important need of supporting the increasing number of

cancer survivors who find themselves in the transitional

period between completing their cancer treatment and the

shift to feeling physically and emotionally strong enough to

attempt to return to their normal life or their "new normal".

At The Gateway Family YMCA, we create a welcoming

community in which survivors can improve their strength

and physical fitness, diminish the severity of therapy side

effects, develop supportive relationships, and improve their

quality of life.

Since 2007, the lIVESTRONG® Foundation has been the

YMCA’s partner in developing and delivering lIVESTrOnG®

at the YMCA. The Gateway Family YMCA is one of 174

corporate YMCA associations offering lIVESTRONG® at

the YMCA. Over the course of this program, more than

33,116 survivors have participated and 2,246 staff

members have been certified as instructors. Collectively,

Ys are positively impacting 453 communities in 37 states.

This work is so important because medical studies show

that moderate levels of appropriate physical activity can

reduce fatigue, boost self-esteem and improve muscle

strength and physical endurance in individuals following

cancer treatment. However, physical activity and well-

being programs specifically designed for cancer survivors

are scarce, especially in local communities – which is where

we step in. In addition to physical benefits, the program

also focuses on the emotional well-being of survivors and

their families by providing a supportive “community” where

people impacted by cancer can connect during treatment

and beyond.

A final goal of the program is to assist participants in

developing their own physical fitness program so they can

continue to practice a healthy lifestyle, not only as part of

their recovery, but as a way of life. lIVESTRONG® at the

YMCA Coaches work with each participant to fit the

program to their individual needs and are trained in the

elements of cancer, post rehab exercise and supportive

cancer care.

This year, The Gateway Family YMCA celebrated two very

special graduations from the lIVESTRONG® at the YMCA

program. In the company of their new friends, Y supporters

and family, each participant received a certificate of

completion and a yellow rose. It was an uplifting and

emotional evening and many family members expressed

how grateful they were for the program because they saw

the improvement in their loved one.

Through lIVESTRONG® at the YMCA, we are able to offer

those who have been diagnosed with cancer the support

they need to build both emotional and physical strength.

The twelve week program is offered at no cost to the

participant and is open to the community. To view photos

and personal stories from our graduates, please visit

http://bit.ly/YLIVE.

LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA has proven to:1.  Help survivors MEET OR EXCEED

the recommended amount of 

physical activity

2.  Help survivors SIGNIFICANTLY

INCREASE their  cardiovascular 

endurance

3.  IMPROVE cancer survivors’ overall

quality of life 

4.  DECREASE their cancer-related 

fatigue

“I would highly recommend this program. Itimproved my physical and mental health, my sideeffects from treatment were minimized and I met awonderful group of people that I truly care about.”

“Thank you for opening the doors of your

heart and giving us joy, gentleness, vision,

courage and most especially HOPE.”

In 2015 the goal of Shaping Elizabeth, CHI (Community Health Initiative) was to expand our reach into the communityto support changes that would influence residents to eat healthier and increase their physical activity by making the“healthy choice the easy choice.”

Our healthy collaborative currently has 22 partners and 4 major funders. Shaping nJ (nJ Department of Health),Elizabethtown Healthcare Foundation, robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Food Trust have all supported our

initiative in order to impact the Elizabeth Community for Healthy living.

The Funding allowed us to:

n Provide Community Playstreets – 1 Playstreets in 1st, 2nd and 5th Wards,serving over 350 people. Councilpersons Torres, Gallman, Gonzalez wereinvolved and donated bicycles, Council person at large Patricia Perkins-Auguste and Freeholder Granados were engaged. The City of Elizabeth andThe Gateway Family YMCA led the events and several organizationssupported with in-kind donations including Community Food Bank of nJ andWellCare Inc. Shaping nJ Grant provided funding.

n Create a Facebook page to share information – 110 likes since August2015

n Enroll 2 Corner Stores in the Healthy Corner Store Program - 7 peoplewere trained to approach stores, 1 additional store is ready to sign ShapingnJ Grant provided funding is realized. Groundwork Elizabeth, rutgers

Cooperative Extension and Bayway Family Success Center provided leadership.

n Continued work with YMCA Community Garden. Groundwork Elizabeth provided expertise for “Garden Camp”. Over 50campers learned about Urban Gardening and took home fresh grown produce.

n Fresh fruits were taken from Kean Farm operated by partner Groundwork Elizabeth to Mravlag Housing Authority, YMCAresidents and YMCA programs for first time. Goal to increase next year as well as support the farm with volunteersfrom Mravlag and YMCA residents to pick and keep fresh vegetables.

n A registered Dietician was hired in October to offer “Eat Healthy, Be Active Community Workshop” to the community. 4Organizations from Shaping Elizabeth have already agreed to host the workshops at their sites. (Proceed, Inc., BaywayFamily Success, YMCA and Planned Parenthood).

n Trinitas rMS received a grant to begin Community Medic Model – A model to support patients after release from thehospital – Have home visits to review medication, discuss healthy eating and managing on their own.

n Trinitas sponsored Million Step Challenge with Shaping Elizabeth September 2015 – 8 Organizations engaged with over150 people walking over 10 million recorded steps.

n received rWJF Grant for Capacity Building and Development of Blue Print For Change $200,000 over 4 years.Organizations involved Groundwork Elizabeth, City of Elizabeth, The YMCA, Proceed, Inc., and Trinitas rMC.

n received $30,000 Elizabethtown Healthcare Grant for nutrition Education and support of work with Mravlag, communitygarden, marketing and playstreets.

n Two Healthy Schools designated in Elizabeth held end of year health events and worked on healthy changes to increasephysical activity and healthy nutrition over 1,000 children impacted.

Our 4 Work Groups: Access to Healthy Foods, Increased Physical Activity, School Wellness and Community Health met

in October to begin Strategic Planning for 2016 goals. Teams worked together with leadership from the coalition from

Groundwork Elizabeth, City of Elizabeth, rutgers Cooperative Extension, Trinitas rMC,

Proceed, Inc. to brainstorm ideas.

Visit our Shaping Elizabeth Facebook page and Like us for our next endeavors.

For more information on Shaping Elizabeth, please contact Alane McCahey

at 908-249-4800.

BUILDING A CULTURE OF HEALTH

Every dollar donated to our Y has a lasting impact on the people of Eastern Union

County and northern Middlesex County. When you donate to our Y, you are

donating for a better us.

“I was diagnosed in 2008 with breast cancer. I was a single mom and my

daughter was only 6 years old. I was devastated and all I could think was that

I was going to die and what would happen to my precious girl. I chose to do a

double mastectomy and underwent five months of chemotherapy and six weeks of

radiation as well as two reconstructive surgeries and a full hysterectomy. In that

time my body went from a size five to twelve. When I learned about the

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program, I immediately signed up. The trainers were

fabulous and worked with us individually due to our different limitations. I

regained my strength and learned how to live a healthier life. My daughter is now

turning thirteen and we joined the Y so we could go together.” —MS. G., MEMBEr

By making a difference here, you become part of a collective effort to impact communities nationwide.

These outcomes are only possible with your philanthropic support.

LIFT THE WORLD AROUND YOU

GIVEfor a better us.• Give at tgfymca.org

• Text TGFYMCA to 41444

• Call 908-249-4800

The Y is a positive force in this community. Together, we take on the challenges that shape our community’s future.

From tackling the achievement gap to teaching healthy habits for a lifetime or giving people the chance to

strengthen the community through volunteering; everything the Y does is in service of building a better us.

“The Y provides me with the venue to help myself get and stay healthy. I absolutely love the idea that it is a

non-profit, community based organization. My family and I were members for years and knew they do ‘good work.’

Recently, I got laid off and struggled financially. The Y was there to help out financially, cutting our family

membership in half. The Y is the most important resource I have to get and stay healthy, which when unemployed

is incredibly important. I love the Y.” —MEMBEr

Because you believe everyone has the power to make their lives and community better, we are able to open our

doors to all. Your support makes a better us possible.

Vital partners join The Gateway Family YMCA

in solving challenges that are larger than any single

organization.

“As a single father caring for a young daughter, I didn’t

know what we were going to do when my disability and

medical expenses caused us to become homeless.

Through the Y’s Supportive Housing Program, we were

provided with not only a home but also the ability to further my education and regain my self-sufficiency and

support my family.” —Mr. r., MEMBEr

With partners like you, along with hundreds of donors, volunteers and staff, the Y has the power to strengthen our

community and positively impact the lives of those around us.

Our Cause: A Stronger Community

WHEN YOU GIVE,YOUR NEIGHBOR

GETS

THE Y. FOR A BETTER US.TM TM