Y Stories

 

Y Adventure Guides strengthens Banas family’s bonds

January 01, 2019

Y Adventure Guides strengthens Banas family’s bonds

Ken Banas credits his children’s sense of confidence and ability to think about nature differently to the Y's Adventure Guides program. He recommends that all fathers take advantage of the experiences offered by the program, which helps foster their children’s growth and understanding of the world.

Meet Jill Edelblute — An Advocate for YMCAs Statewide

December 12, 2018

Meet Jill Edelblute — An Advocate for YMCAs Statewide

When Jill Edelblute heard the YMCA of Metro Chicago needed a state expert, she went after the position “full-force.” Eleven years later, as our Senior Director of Government Relations, she’s still just as passionate about the Y’s mission.

How One Child’s Book Helped My Son Overcome Bullying and Gain Confidence

October 31, 2018

How One Child’s Book Helped My Son Overcome Bullying and Gain Confidence

A Channel Islands YMCA employee shares how the YMCA of Metro Chicago's anti-bias literacy approach helped her 5-year-old son overcome bullying and learn to be proud of himself.

CPS Students Have a Week to Remember at YMCA Camp MacLean

October 25, 2018

CPS Students Have a Week to Remember at YMCA Camp MacLean

For over 6 years, the Y’s Community Schools initiative has enabled more than 100 Chicago Public Schools students to experience the outdoors at YMCA Camp MacLean.

Irving Park YMCA Welcomes New Executive Director

October 19, 2018

Irving Park YMCA Welcomes New Executive Director

Join us in welcoming Ronald Anderson, the Irving Park YMCA’s new executive director. Ron began his career with YMCA of Metro Chicago in 2014 and has served at two centers.

McCormick YMCA Welcomes New Executive Director

October 17, 2018

McCormick YMCA Welcomes New Executive Director

Daniel Rubio has been part of the YMCA family for 10 years. After serving the Greater Joliet Area YMCA, he returns to the YMCA of Metro Chicago as our new executive director of the McCormick YMCA.

Transitions- An Unforgettable Public Servant

October 16, 2018

Transitions- An Unforgettable Public Servant

Barbara Blomquist writes about the late Naperville Mayor Pradel and the Mayor's Prayer breakfast origins. (Positively Naperville)

McKay Students Share the Value of “Be a Buddy, Not a Bully”

October 15, 2018

McKay Students Share the Value of “Be a Buddy, Not a Bully”

The Y’s Community Schools Initiative partnered with the Free Lunch Academy at McKay Elementary where our scholars participated in a performance titled “Be a Buddy, Not a Bully.”.

YSVP to Offer Mental Health Services Through Rush Partnership

October 10, 2018

YSVP to Offer Mental Health Services Through Rush Partnership

The focus of World Mental Health Day 2018 is young people and mental health in a changing world. A new partnership with Rush University Medical Center will make mental health service accessible to Youth Safety and Violence Prevention youth and their families, staff, and military veteran volunteers.

Meet Chicago’s Kelly Hall YMCA Super Mentor

October 09, 2018

Meet Chicago’s Kelly Hall YMCA Super Mentor

Comenecia O’Neal has been mentoring hundreds of youth for almost two decades. (NBC 5 Chicago, Making a Difference)

Meet Bruce Shannon: The Aquatics Instructor at the South Side Y

September 12, 2018

Meet Bruce Shannon: The Aquatics Instructor at the South Side Y

Bruce Shannon worked as a lifeguard and aquatics instructor at the South Side YMCA for 18 years. He describes how his childhood memories at the Y shaped his values, “there was no limit at what I could do at the Y."

Meet Comenecia O’Neal, Mentor and Mother to YMCA Youth

September 05, 2018

Meet Comenecia O’Neal, Mentor and Mother to YMCA Youth

“I tell people all the time, I have three biological children, but I really have a lot of kids.” Comenecia O’Neal serves as a mother figure to many of the youth that walk through Kelly Hall YMCA’s doors.

Pilsen YMCA Mentor Helps Lead Teens To A Path To Success

August 29, 2018

Pilsen YMCA Mentor Helps Lead Teens To A Path To Success

“Is it a war we’re winning? No,” said Almore. “But it’s a war I’m willing to fight.” Mike Almore, YSVP mentor and Senior Outreach Specialist shares why he decided to help youth exposed to violence in Chicago communities. (CBS 2 Chicago)

An Unlikely Bond Between Chicago Teens and Veterans is Saving Lives in the City

August 27, 2018

An Unlikely Bond Between Chicago Teens and Veterans is Saving Lives in the City

“These kids are over-alert and watching their backs, even when they’re in the safest environments. They try to explain that feeling to other people who don’t get it. But I do.” Julio Cortes, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and mentor. (NationSwell)

YMCA Youth Jaime Garcia Trains a Court Case Dog

August 24, 2018

YMCA Youth Jaime Garcia Trains a Court Case Dog

Jaime shares what he learned by working with court case dogs through a Youth Safety and Violence Prevention and Safe Humane partnership program.

Why Mary Sventy Has Worked at the Greater LaGrange Y for 20 Years

August 23, 2018

Why Mary Sventy Has Worked at the Greater LaGrange Y for 20 Years

“People have a choice of where to work out, so why not work out somewhere that benefits the community?”

Miner School Students Learn Health and Social Skills at Lattof YMCA

August 21, 2018

Miner School Students Learn Health and Social Skills at Lattof YMCA

When visiting the Lattof YMCA, Miner School adult students are given the opportunity to get out of the classroom and experience new environments where they can learn important life skills.

O’Dell Boyd Says Hello

August 17, 2018

O’Dell Boyd Says Hello

O'Dell Boyd, who's been with the Y for 17 years, greets everyone, in person and on the phone, with a smile. "You don’t know who’s on the other side of the line. You don’t know what’s going on in their lives.”

Saving Lives From Top to Bottom

August 16, 2018

Saving Lives From Top to Bottom

Every single employee at the YMCA of Metro Chicago is required to take CPR training. Last May, that policy saved a man’s life.

The Transformative Power of Camp

August 14, 2018

The Transformative Power of Camp

Camp remains a fond childhood memory for many people, but for Kent Dean, it’s a way of life.

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Press Contact

All media inquiries should be directed to:

Aileen Tormon
312.440.2413
atormon@ymcachicago.org

Allison Katarski
312.932.1225
akatarski@ymcachicago.org