YMCA OF Metropolitan Chicago Operations Director Named 2012 NHSA Administrator of the Year
November 03, 2011
CHICAGO, IL – Dorothy Cole-Gary, senior operations director for children services at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, has been named the 2012 National Head Start Association Administrator of the Year.
This award celebrates local program leaders who provide exemplary direction and leadership to their Head Start/Early Head Start programs.
“As one of the largest child care providers in Chicagoland, the Y works hard to be a place where children can learn, grow and thrive,” says Susan Kennedy, group vice president of human services at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. “The Y couldn’t be prouder of Dorothy, and we are grateful for the work she does every day to help children reach their full potential.”
Cole-Gary has 23 years experience in supervision and management of early childhood programs – 15 of those at the Y. She began her career with the Y of Metro Chicago as site director for the Garfield Early Head Start Program. In her current role, Cole-Gary manages 12 sites, 250 staff, and more than 1,000 Early Head Start, Head Start and school age children. She has expanded Early Head Start services from three community areas to seven over the past five years. She is a graduate of Alcorn State University, and received a master’s degree in early childhood education from the Erikson Institute.
The Y of Metro Chicago has provided licensed child care services since 1972. Supportive services are offered to children and families in nutrition, health, mental health and early intervention, as well as affordable child care and social services to enable families to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency.
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About the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago: The Y is Chicagoland’s leading nonprofit strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Through its 25 member centers, five camps and hundreds of extension sites, the Y of Metro Chicago helps children learn and grow, teaches young people to lead, brings families closer, and encourages individual health and wellbeing. As one of the largest and oldest/most established cause-driven organizations/nonprofits in Chicago, YMCA programs impact hundreds of thousands of lives annually, helping to strengthen neighborhoods and respond to unique community needs across Chicagoland. To learn more, visit www.ymcachicago.org.
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