YMCA CONNECTVolume 2 • Issue 1 • Fall 2011

A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE FROM THE YMCA OF GREATER RICHMOND

The Best StorytellersSaving the Planet from Electronic Waste | Eric Receives a Bright Beginning The Brink of Greatness | Isaiah Adopts the Golden Rule | Fall Program Guide

2For more information on branch offerings, visit www.ymcarichmond.org/youthsports.

GAIN KNOWLEDGE. LEARN THE FUNDAMENTALS.ENGAGE IN FUN COMPETITION.YMCA WINTER YOUTH SPORTS REGISTRATION OPENS OCTOBER 15.

OUR CHILDRENTHEIR FUTURE

HELP A CHILD LEARN, GROW AND THRIVE AT THE Y

Our youth need hope for a healthy adulthood. American children face health risks and dangers every day.

Your gift of $83 to the YMCA’s Strengthening Communities Fund can provide a child with one week of before- and after-school care.

Charitable contributions to the Y keep children safe after school, engage them in activities that keep their young bodies fit and minds strong, provide nutritious snacks and provide role models who instill our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

www.ymcarichmond.org/donatenow

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3On the Cover: Arlen Bolstad (far left) shares his favorite Y-Guide program stories about (left to right) his children Thomas, Joanna, and Emma

and his wife Beth. Bolstad Y-Guide Names (left to right): River Hawk, Red Hawk, Wild Wolf, Little Foot and Beth.

FOR HEALTHY LIVINGThe Best Storytellers 8

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENTThe Brink of Greatness 12

Isaiah Adopts the 14 Golden Rule

contents SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER

FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Y, Goodwill and Good 16 Samaritans Unite to Save the Planet from Electronic Waste

Eric Receives a Bright 18 Beginning

FALL PROGRAM 20 GUIDE

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NEWS 6

Volunteer Celebration

Atlee Station Family YMCA

Teen Day of Service

Planting the First Lady’s Garden

Swift Creek Family YMCA

Healthy Kids Day and Walk

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Little Foot and Red Hawk love spending time with their dad on longhouse camping trips.

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The YMCA of Greater Richmond is ready to help you realize the greatest benefits from your planned gifts to the Y.

For more information, please contact Jane Hamilton at 804.474.4332 or hamiltonj@ymcarichmond.org.

President & CEO Barry M. Taylor

Executive Vice President/OperationsDick Lyons

Executive Vice President/Operations Membership and Programs

Karen Keegan

Senior Vice President & CFORandy Spears

Senior Vice President for PhilanthropyNancy Trego

YMCA Connect Editorial Board

Vice President Marketing & Communications

D. Todd Gray

Communications DirectorShelby Little

Community Development Director Tito Luna

Planned Giving DirectorJane Hamilton

Tuckahoe Senior Director – Membership and Wellness

Steve Sylvester

YMCA Connect

ContributorsRyan Dalton, Stephanie Maddox, Deveron Timberlake, Bruce Yoder

DesignersValerie Callahan, Robin Payne

PhotographerScott Elmquist

Contact804.649.9622

ymcarichmond.org feedback@ymcarichmond.org

YMCA of Greater Richmond

YMCA Connect is produced quarterly by the YMCA of Greater Richmond. The mission of the

Y is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit,

mind, and body for all. The YMCA of Greater Richmond is a nonprofit, charitable organization.

Contributions are deductible for income tax purposes to the extent provided by law.

THE Y ENDOWMENT IS HELPING OUR COMMUNITYEndowment Distributions for FY 2010: $224, 352

34%

8%

14%24%

18%

2% Youth Teen Family

Memberships

Child Care

Aquatics

Community Development

Leadership & Development

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President’s Letter

The cover story in this issue of “Connect” is very special to me. While I regularly enjoy special time with my youngest daughter Lauren, it is the time we have together with other fathers and daughters during Y Princess meetings and longhouses that create unique memories she and I will share for the rest of our lives. Arlen Bolstad shares a similar passion for the Y Guides program and, with his three children, has enjoyed many of the same experiences, which he shares in this quarter’s cover story. While Arlen and thousands of other fathers engage in Y activities each day with their children, many children participate independently in programs that develop their self confidence and build lifelong skills. Isaiah Dickerson is one of those children who has grown into a “well-behaved, happy child,” as his mother, grandmother and Y staff have worked together to respond to his needs and ensure a successful path for the future. At Highland Springs Elementary School in Henrico County, more children benefit from a partnership between the school and Chickahominy Family YMCA in their after-school program. Dedicated time for homework and tutoring has resulted in better grades – the principal’s goal when he approached the Y. Eric Lavoie is another child whose self confidence has been enhanced through his participation in the after-school program and YMCA Bright Beginnings shopping trip and backpack of school supplies offered at the Patrick

Henry Family Y. As he entered a new family dynamic at age seven, his grandparents turned to the Y to add stability and friends. Every day he’s excited by the opportunities the after-school program presents and puts the school supplies he received to good use. Like many of you, I worry about our children’s future. The Youth Development focus of Y programs is important for our children’s spirit, mind and body, but equally important is the need for us to be good stewards of our planet. Goodwill of Central Virginia is a leader in recycling electronic waste and the Y is excited to partner with them on this incredibly important program to preserve our environment for future generations. This issue of “Connect” shares how you can participate and help our community address this growing problem. I encourage each of you to read more on the following pages about the relationships that are built and strengthened at the Y each day for our country’s most valuable asset – its youth!

Barry M. TaylorPresident & CEOYMCA of Greater Richmond

If you read this letter in each issue, you know I value my relationship with my children.

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NEWS

Volunteer Celebration

Volunteers from the Strengthening Communities Fund Campaign gathered at YMCA Camp Thunderbird Outdoor Center on a mild spring evening to celebrate and reenergize. Campaign Chairman Ray Moore reminded volunteers, “The Y does so many great things that it’s impossible to list them all. If we can find the right story to tell to the right person, then they will be inspired to give.” Volunteers and staff members played camp games with their families, enjoyed Brock’s BBQ, made friends and shared stories. New Y promotional cups held lemonade and served as conversation pieces, surprising guests by changing color from opaque white to green or blue. Bill Liepis, a Tuckahoe Family YMCA board member and volunteer with John Rolfe Family YMCA’s campaign, attended the appreciation event with his wife. “I believe in what the Y does, and I volunteer because of the staff. Their dedication is infectious,” he said. Thank you all 2011 Strengthening Communities Fund volunteers for giving your time and energy to the Y.

Teen Day of Service

Early on the morning of May 7, over 150 teens from across Greater Richmond gathered outside the Richmond Coliseum for a pep rally before starting on volunteer beautification projects. Speeches from City of Richmond Chief Service Officer, Paul Manning, and Richmond Raiders cheerleaders and football players energized the teens. Afterwards, adult-led groups worked throughout the city; some painted homes and completed yard work for elderly residents, while other groups cleaned schoolyards or painted over graffiti and cleared walking paths on Belle Isle. This was the first annual Teen Day of Service, a partnership with the City of Richmond Neighbor-to-Neighbor program and the YMCA of Greater Richmond.

Introducing the Atlee Station Family YMCA

On a warm June evening, before a crowd of approximately fifty onlookers, YMCA of Greater Richmond leaders announced the name of the new Y branch in Mechanicsville. The Atlee Station Family YMCA, as it will be called, is located in the Rutland development off Highway 301 and Atlee Road and will be the sixteenth branch in the association, and the second located in Hanover County. The branch name resonates with locals, as the area is historically known for the nearby Atlee train station. Construction on the Y is on-schedule for a November opening, as the foundation, exterior walls and roof are completed. Plans for the 10,295 square foot facility are in response to the communities’ need for healthy living and youth development services and will include group exercise classes, a wellness area with state-of-the-art fitness equipment, multipurpose space, a supervised area for children to play while their parents exercise, handicap accessible locker rooms and outdoor athletic fields for youth sports. “We believe this branch will be a community hub when we open the doors to the greater Mechanicsville area,” says President and CEO Barry Taylor.

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Labor Day - September 5

Y Guides Federation Pow Wow - September 11

Women’s Health and Fitness Day - September 28

Family Health Month

Breast Cancer Awareness month

City Point 5k Run/Walk - October 29

Make a Difference Day & E-Recycling Drive with Goodwill of Central VA - October 22

American Diabetes Month

National Military Family Month

Veterans Day - November 11

Thanksgiving Day, November 25 - All branches closed

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SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER

Healthy Kids Day™ and Walk

The Y partnered with Bon Secours Health System to merge two like-minded events, YMCA Healthy Kids Day and Bon Secours 1-mile Kids Walk into one great event on April 9. The result was the most well attended Healthy Kids Day to date, with attendance near 3,500 people. All four Y branches that hosted Healthy Kids Day and Walk had engaging activities and nutrition tips for families. Eight-year-old Madison Harrison designed the front of the Healthy Kids Day and Walk tee-shirt with the headline, “Exercise is worth it.” Her design was selected from nearly 200 submissions for the tee-shirt contest. Lucie Ferguson and Bonnie the Bunny of Bon Secours and YMCA Association Teen Leadership Director Carol Butterworth presented Madison with a special certificate and offered coloring books, crayons and stickers to her classmates at the Midlothian YMCA’s after-school child care program. Healthy Kids Day and Walk was a success thanks to all of the employees and volunteers from both organizations who contributed to the event. Thank you all for helping our organizations fight childhood obesity in our community!

Planting the First Lady’s Garden

Twenty preschoolers from the North Richmond YMCA helped the First Lady of Virginia, Maureen McDonnell, plant the Executive Mansion garden this spring. The children helped prep the garden for a summer harvest by picking cool weather crops and planting warm weather vegetables and herbs. The preschoolers also planted mums that they had brought as a gift for the First Lady. This was not the first gardening experience for the students, as they have gardening and proper nutrition lessons in the Flat Iron Learning Garden at the Y. “Working on the Executive Mansion garden with the First Lady gives the children another opportunity to share their gardening experience and help beautify the governor’s mansion,” says North Richmond Community Center YMCA Executive Director Marilyn Milio. The class sang songs and enjoyed lunch with Mrs. McDonnell in the Executive Courtyard after planting the garden.

Swift Creek Family YMCA Update

With site plan approval and building permit in hand, the Swift Creek Family YMCA continues to move forward with an anticipated opening in early 2012. “We are very excited to have the building come out of the ground,” says YMCA Executive Vice President of Operations Dick Lyons, “and truly look forward to bringing needed YMCA services and programs to this area of the county.”

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HEALTHY LIVING Improving the nation’s health and well-being

Left to right: Thomas, Arlen and Emma Bolstad enjoy their time in the Y-Guides programs, making memories and earning patches.

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The Y-Guides, Y-Princesses and Y-Papoose programs (collectively called Y-Guides) are unique opportunities for fathers to spend uninterrupted time with their children (ages 5-12) in the great outdoors.

Tribal elders like Arlen Bolstad not only have a great understanding of the richness of their culture, but they also tell the best stories. Arlen has been involved in the Y-guides program for 16 years and has collected an abundance of stories. One of the funniest he remembers was on his eldest daughter Joanna’s first longhouse or Y-Guides camping trip. “I had brought along glue for our vest patches and I don’t know how, but my five-year-old daughter got the glue bottle open in the tent and soon we had glue all over the tent walls and floor and also on the sleeping bags. She was evidently going to glue patches on her vest but the glue kind of got away from her,” he says. The Bolstads lived in the Byrd Park neighborhood at the time and were part of the Cherokee Tribe at the Tuckahoe Family YMCA. When Arlen’s family moved to the Northside neighborhood, they continued to use the Tuckahoe Y but helped establish new tribes for their new neighborhood. “When we started the two Northside-based tribes, there wasn’t any thought of going to another Y; the support from the Tuckahoe Y in getting these tribes up and running could not have been better,” says Arlen. He helped found the Cayuga Tribe for his youngest daughter Emma and the Waccamaws for his son Thomas. “We have tribes that create a lot of good, positive contact within our community. I don’t mean that in terms of networking; I mean that in terms of conversations that you wouldn’t have otherwise had with dads in your neighborhood or getting to know their kids better as a result of tribal meetings, activities and longhouses,” says Arlen. He recently completed a year-long term as Federation Chief of the Tuckahoe Federation Council, an advisory board made up of dads active in the Y-Guides and Y-Princess programs. He continues to serve on the Council as its Sachem, or wise elder. Arlen also has fond memories of a longhouse with his son Thomas at Camp Whitehall on the banks of the Mattaponi River. It was one of Thomas’ first longhouses, and one in which the two of them spent much of their free time together on Camp Whitehall’s dock with their fishing lines in the water.

The Best Storytellers

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When discussing the benefits of the Y-Guides programs, Arlen jokes, “We sure wouldn’t have all the camping equipment we have now if not for the program.” But the conversation becomes sentimental when he talks about the opportunity for father/child bonding time that the program provides: “What you really remember from the longhouses are the conversations you have with your kids in the car on the way out there and on the way back. It’s quality time that sticks in your memory and that of your kids, too,” he says. Emma, his younger daughter now nearly 11, he said, still loves to talk about how she and her friend, Dorothy—both of them then just 5—went canoeing while still in their pink pajamas on a longhouse Sunday morning with their dads on the Chickahominy River. Because these Y programs are specifically for father/child bonding, one has to wonder how the mothers feel about the program. Arlen attributes much of the success of the founding of the Northside tribes to his wife, Beth. “She is an enthusiastic supporter of the program. She saw the program’s benefits for my older daughter from day one, and she was the one who said to me, ‘We don’t have a Y-Princess tribe in this neighborhood, and we need to start one.’ ” Another tribal elder and former Y-Guide Chief, Pat Morrisey, sees the longhouses as a time for his children to come out

from under the wing of their mother. “This is a time to get away from the mom so she isn’t caring for them. They learn that they can depend upon me too,” he says. Local Native American tribes, the Mattaponi and the Pamunkey, support the Y-Guides program and send their elders to speak at special program meetings. “One year a couple came in and talked about how they use every resource to its fullest, and that’s something that’s stuck with me; it’s always in the back of my mind,” says Pat. “It’s always good for the kids to learn lessons from someone other than from their parents. When I talk about using all of your resources, they’re going to understand what I mean,” he says. Longhouse camping season follows the school schedule, and as summer comes to an end the children of the Y-guide programs grow excited about the upcoming outings with their dads. Like a wise tribal leader, Arlen doesn’t get caught up in over-complicating or over-thinking the longhouse destinations. He focuses on creating memories and enjoying the great outdoors with his children. “Frankly, the kids don’t care where you’re going camping, and they don’t care if it rains,” says Arlen. “We had a longhouse a year ago with the Shawnee Y-Princess Nation and it rained nonstop all weekend; it was a mess. We had our fire ceremony in the pouring rain, but the kids had a great time.”

JOIN US IN YMCA BEFORE- AND AFTER-SCHOOL CHILD CARE FOR THE 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR.

Activities include:

• Arts & Crafts • Homework Assistance• Swimming • Nutrition• Organized Sports • And Much More!

The YMCA partners with public, private and specialty schools throughout the Greater Richmond and Petersburg areas to provide licensed Before-and After-School Child Care programs at YMCA facilities and local schools.

Schedules and locations vary by school and YMCA branch. Visit www.ymcarichmond.org/bas for more information. Financial assistance available.

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YOUTH DEVELOPMENT Nurturing the potential of every child and teen

Students are given time to work on their homework or enjoy a book in the after-school child care program at Highland Springs Elementary.

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Highland Springs was the only unaccredited elementary school in Henrico County last year, but the outlook is bright for students at Highland Springs Elementary. SOL scores are up and the school regained accreditation for the 2011-2012 school year. The school principal approached Chickahominy Family YMCA Child Care Director Briana Laneuville, asking for help raising his students’ achievement level. “The Y has a great reputation with child care activities, and he knew the families needed us and the kids need us,” Briana explains. “The idea was to provide an opportunity for the kids to have a safe place to come on school grounds, so the teachers could pull them out for extra tutoring and help improve their SOL scores,” Briana says. The YMCA after-school program that began at Highland Springs Elementary in January 2011 produced results. “Many teachers have stated the students are getting better grades because of the work that we are doing,” says YMCA Site Supervisor, Ashley Spiller. Each afternoon during the program, there is dedicated time for homework and tutoring if needed. “I think the improved grades have a lot to do with being positive and giving positive reinforcement. They can get discouraged with schoolwork very quickly. If they don’t understand, they put their head down,” she says. “Finally when it clicks it’s amazing! They come give us hugs.” Many students in the YMCA after-school program seem to be on the brink of greatness and are focused on their futures: “I want to go to Iraq when I grow up,” says one bright-eyed ten-year-old boy. His father is an Army veteran, and he wants to defend his country and learn survival skills like his dad. “After going to Iraq I want to become a wrestler or a professional boxer,” he adds. A seven-year-old student across the room finishes reading a paragraph in Finding Nemo before he’ll answer a question about his hopes for the future. “I want to be a bait store man,” he says. “I like fishing, so I’m deciding to do that.” He carries a fish identification book in his backpack and tells stories of fishing holes stocked with huge bullfrogs and alligator gars. Wisely, he won’t tell you its location; “It’s a secret,” he says. When asked about his home life he says, “I live with my mother. Not my dad cause usually when we call him, he never calls. Never even leaves a message.” Another student, a shy seven-year-old girl, relocated to eastern Henrico County from Ethiopia in March and is overcoming language difficulties, but she very clearly says, “I want to be a nurse.” Her father is her sole relative in the states, and works the night shift at a nearby hospital while she attends after-school care. With encouragement from parents, the Y has made a positive impact on the students in the after-school child care program. “The families support us and they support their children. Together we have shown these children how to excel,” says Chickahominy Y Executive Director Jaime Gambaccini.

The Brink of Greatness

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Isaiah Dickerson is a well-adjusted, seven-year-old boy from Powhatan. He’s into fishing, skateboarding, team sports, playing with Legos and recycling. He has come a long way since his preschool program deemed him a violent child. “He has a strong anger streak when he is confused or frustrated,” says April Self, Isaiah’s grandmother, who helps his mother raise him. Isaiah was banned from riding the bus to Head Start, a federally funded early learning program, after he exhibited unruly behavior, and was only allowed to attend the program if his mother or grandmother accompanied him. “We’ve been through a lot together,” says his mother, Rebekah Self. As a single mother of two, she previously could not afford child care, which compounded Isaiah’s behavioral problems. Rebekah enrolled Isaiah in YMCA after-school child care at Pocahontas Elementary School last fall. The program offers him homework assistance, cooperative learning and socialization through activities he enjoys, such as sports. However, the first few weeks were rough for Isaiah. “He was having a hard time adjusting to the setting, especially interacting with others and sharing,” says YMCA Child Care Counselor Ebony Taylor. “He would tattle about the littlest things.” Each time he acted out or exhibited poor behavior, Ebony and her team corrected him. They separated Isaiah from his peers and redirected him to individual activities such as arts and crafts. “It took a lot of reinforcement,” she says, “but eventually he understood the rules.” Now Isaiah is fully involved in the group activities and comes home talking about how much fun he has playing basketball or football. April attributes his positive development to dedicated teachers at his school’s Individualized Education Program and reinforcement at YMCA Child Care. “We’ve seen a change from an angry kid who couldn’t communicate to a well-behaved, happy child,” says April. “I think he finally understands that if you’re nice to others, they will like you and be nice in return.” His mother echoes the sentiment about the Y program; she says, “It has changed his self-esteem, definitely. He’s found a place where he’s accepted and feels comfortable.”

Isaiah Adopts theGolden Rule

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT Nurturing the potential of every child and teen

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SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Giving back and providing support to our neighbors

Earth Day weekend, the YMCA of Greater Richmond forged a partnership with Goodwill of Central Virginia to help tackle a growing community problem: electronic waste. Goodwill, in partnership with Dell Computers, has been e-recycling since 2007, and last year they diverted over 1.2 million pounds of computer-related equipment from local landfills. The potential reach of a partnership between the Y and Goodwill was massive, as the Y serves more than 160,000 individuals in the Greater Richmond area. “We thought this opportunity fell in line not only with our focus on social responsibility, but also on our continuing efforts to promote green practices in our programs, facilities updates and new construction,” says Tito Luna, YMCA director of community development. The Earth Day weekend partnership was a huge success. Richmonders arrived in droves, some carrying fully functional scanners, printers, CPUs and monitors, while others brought worn-out gadgets and old cell phones. All donated items were either remanufactured and resold in Goodwill stores or taken to a Dell-authorized recycling facility. Fortunately, none of the 27,000 pounds of electronics brought to the Y Earth Day weekend went to landfills. “We are so thankful to the Y of Greater Richmond and its members for their strong support of our first e-recycling drive,” said Goodwill’s Vice President of Donated Goods, Bill Carlson. “We look forward to continuing our work together to decrease the amount of e-waste in our area landfills and to strengthening the community both of our organizations are dedicated to serving.” Y members and others who participated in the Earth Day Weekend program can be assured knowing that their electronic donation was not only environmentally friendly, but also helped support Goodwill’s job training and career development services for individuals with obstacles to employment. Electronics are the fastest growing waste problem in the world, and to continue to help manage our local e-waste, the Y is planning to partner with Goodwill again on Make a Difference Day, October 22. Details will be released on the YMCA website, www.ymcarichmond.org, as well as on posters at YMCA branches when plans are finalized.

The Y, Goodwill and Good Samaritans Unite to Save the Planet from Electronic Waste

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Left to right: Nestor Torres, Goodwill Director of Logistics; Bill Carlson, Goodwill VP Donated Goods; Tito Luna, YMCA Community Development Director; and Russ Rainier, Goodwill Manager, Donated Goods e-Recycling.

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SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Giving back and providing support to our neighbors

Eric LaVoie loves the Y. “If one of his grandparents arrives early to pick him up from after-school care, he gets upset,” says Patrick Henry YMCA Youth and Family Director Jean Finney. The Y has played an important role in Eric’s life. His mother passed away from leukemia three years ago when he was just seven years old. Eric moved in with his maternal grandparents and his siblings went to live with their father. Eric’s grandparents enrolled him in YMCA child care to help him make friends and adjust to his new environment. “He was shy at first,” says Jean. “We helped him transition, and now he always says ‘hello’ and wants to be at the Y all the time.” Starting anew after his mother passed away was not easy. Eric’s health had been neglected in the last year of his mother’s life, as she was not well enough to keep on top of his medical needs too. His grandparents paid for expensive dental work and had tubes replaced in his ears after they had come out. Eric lost part of his hearing as a result of an ear infection while the tubes were out of his ears. “It’s been one thing after another. But he’s come through very well. He’s a very happy boy,” says Eric’s grandmother, Kathryn. She and her husband were already facing mounting medical bills after her husband’s 5-way heart bypass before Eric moved in, so his expenses added an unanticipated burden. “We had not planned on a child living with us; we were on a tight budget,” she says. “But he has brightened our lives with his laughter and smile.” YMCA staff members recognized the LaVoies’ financial hardships and approved Eric for participation in YMCA Bright Beginnings, a program that helps underprivileged children feel prepared and confident for the start of a new school year. Like all participants, Eric was paired with volunteer shopping buddies who helped him select new school clothes on a YMCA group trip to Target. “He came home and had a picture of the people who took him around. He thought it was nice to have people there with him and take such an interest in him. He put the picture on his dresser and I think it’s still there,” says Kathryn. Eric also received a backpack full of new, grade-appropriate school supplies thanks to generous YMCA donors referred to as Backpack Buddies. After many adjustments and challenges over the past four years, Eric has recovered well. “He’s now very settled, very happy, and sometimes he whistles so much that you have to ask him to stop after a while,” laughs Kathryn. To volunteer, donate or find out more about YMCA Bright Beginnings, visit ymcarichmond.org/brightbeginnings.

Eric Receives a Bright Beginning

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YMCA OF GREATER RICHMOND2 West Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23220P 804.649.9622 www.ymcarichmond.org

NON-PROFITU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDRICHMOND, VA

PERMIT NO. 2077

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

A LEGACY OF SERVICEWill Cutchins had a long history of service to the YMCA of Greater Richmond. Beginning in 1986 when he moved with his family from Franklin, Virginia, Will quickly became involved at the Tuckahoe Family YMCA where he served on the Tuckahoe YMCA Board of Management. He then joined

the Association Board, becoming Chairman of the Board in 2002. Unfortunately, in 2004, Will was diagnosed with a

neurodegenerative disease that hastened his retirement from his professional and philanthropic activities. During his illness, he spent a lot of time at the Y, which helped maintain his strength and function. He also enjoyed seeing friends, which boosted his spirits as he faced the challenges of his disease. Will died in November 2007 at the age of 57. The Will Cutchins Endowment Fund was created in his memory by his widow, Caroline Cutchins, and his three children. Generous gifts from family, friends and a challenge grant have strengthened the fund considerably. The Cutchins Fund supports individuals or families living with serious medical illnesses who will benefit from services the Y offers.