teens set standard for excellence

YMCA OF FLORIDA’S FIRST COAST
12735 Gran Bay Parkway West, Suite 250
Jacksonville, FL 32258
Jacksonville, FL 32258 | FirstCoastYMCA.org
12735 Gran Bay Parkway West, Suite 250
YMCA OF FLORIDA’S FIRST COAST
Spring 2015
PARTY WITH PURPOSE
AT THE PLAYERS
THE PLAYERS Championship opened up an incredible opportunity for
four local charities to raise money through a four-night concert series
during the PGA TOUR tournament at Sawgrass in lot 11, and we are
pleased to be one of the four. Our event “The After Partee” will be
Thursday, May 7 – the night of the first official day of tournament play
at THE PLAYERS Championship – with great food from local restaurants,
drinks and a live concert from The Yacht Rock Revue™ and Jacksonville’s
own Pierre Kendrick.
FE AT U RI N G
As a national leader in water safety and aquatics instruction, all of
the night’s proceeds will be used to provide children—who have never
learned to swim, perhaps due to their parents’ inabilities to do so, lack
of access to programs or financial constraints—from underserved
communities the opportunity to participate in our “Go for Green!”
Camp Swim Initiative. This program focuses on improving the swimming
abilities of children so that they can swim safely and on their own. Last
year, 1,106 children participated in our program. This year, we expect to
serve even more children in the communities where they live.
PURCHASE YOUR
TICKETS ONLINE.
Produced by
PRI PRODUCTIONS
FirstCoastYMCA.org/after-partee
STAY UP TO DATE ON ALL OF THE LATEST. CONNECT WITH @FirstCoastYMCA.
TEENS SET
STANDARD FOR
EXCELLENCE
Youth In Government
High school leaders in our Youth in Government (YIG) program are building
leadership skills, improving self-confidence and learning first-hand how
our state government operates.
A high point of the program is a weekend trip to Tallahassee for the
State Assembly with other Florida teens. Thirty-seven delegates from
Dval, St. Johns and Clay Counties, representing seven high schools and
one homeschool group, recently traveled to our state capitol to debate
bills they had researched and written themselves. Three bills passed
and three of our delegates from St. Johns County were also recognized
as outstanding leaders. Peighton Jones was named runner-up for
Outstanding Statesman. Diana Oum was named Outstanding Press
Delegate. Daniel Kessler was named Outstanding Page.
FORWARD
A Teen Program
at the Johnson Y
The FORWARD program is designed to help teens and tweens focus on their
future by exposing them to new experiences, introducing them to careerfocused professionals and presenting them with options beyond high school.
We offer at least two workshops per month, volunteer opportunities and
social activities. There are three focus areas to promote strong leaders:
Debating legislation and advocating
for bills important to the well-being of
Florida’s youth is a thrill like no other.
I felt humbled by the intelligence and
the dedication of the wonderful people
around me; I felt like I had found a place
where I truly belonged.”
-Vanessa Roulas, Stanton College Preparatory School
Vanessa Roulas, a student at Stanton College Preparatory School, said
State Assembly has been the greatest learning experience of her life. “In
those three short days, YIG allowed me to finally find my passion: public
service. For that, I am forever indebted to those who make this program
a reality and will do all in my power to get more students involved. I am
waiting in anticipation for next year’s State Assembly!”
The teens also met 23-year-old State Representative Jennifer Sullivan,
the youngest woman elected to office in the state of Florida. The
weekend concluded with dinner and dancing at the Governor’s Ball.
GIVE
MOVE
FORWARD
Social Responsibility
Giving back to the
community
Healthy Living
Getting active
FORWARD
YOU
FORWARD
Youth Development
Social Skills,
Education & Training
PRESIDENT’S
CORNER
A MESSAGE FROM
CEO, ERIC MANN
Springtime at the Y marks the kick-off of our
community giving campaign and a chance
to celebrate our impact for all men, women,
children, families and active older adults across
the First Coast. This year, we are focused on four
main funding priorities:
Active Adults Creating Healthy
Families and Communities
HEATING
THINGS UP
EMBRACING
CULTURE
Above: Marcelle Polednik, director of the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, discusses Preston
Haskell’s art collection.
THE HASKELLS WELCOME TIGER ACADEMY TO
CELEBRATE THE ARTS
On January 14, Preston and Joan Haskell held a lovely reception in their home for Tiger Academy. Guests
enjoyed a preview of “Rothko to Richter: Mark-Making in Abstract Painting from the Collection of Preston
H. Haskell” before the exhibit opened at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. Patrice Smith, who
graduated from Tiger Academy and is now in seventh grade at LaVilla School of the Arts, served as the
evening’s emcee. Brothers Accountable Driven and Determined (B.A.D.D.) performed and Tiger Academy
parent Antonio Hicks spoke about his family’s experience with enrichment opportunities at the school.
Student artwork was displayed. Special thanks to the Haskells and the Tiger Academy Board of Directors
for hosting this wonderful event.
Academic and Life
Achievement for Our Youth
With the support of generous friends like
you, the Y is dedicated to changing lives
through these focus areas. There are countless
opportunities to give, join and volunteer to make
a difference. Thank you for engaging in our
mission, embracing those in need and elevating
individuals in our community to reach their full
potential. Together, we can create a healthier
future for all.
In Unity,
SAVE
THE DATE
Katie Ride For Life
First Coast Games Opening Ceremony
Tiger Academy Open House
Healthy Kids Day & First Coast Kids Triathlon
Shrimp Festival 5K Run
National Day of Prayer Luncheon
After Partee
3rd Annual Fashion For A Cause
Your Y is so much more than treadmills and tennis. We’re TEAM UP,
Taekwondo and teen leadership, too. Without dollars, though, we can’t bring
real impact to our neighbors in need.
We hope you made it to Y-Bash, our annual campaign kickoff, at the historic
Florida Theatre in downtown Jacksonville. The evening was filled celebration
and inspiration and was a chance to showcase a powerful movement of
people - who, together, are the Y. We featured how our kids achieve more at
camp, how active older adults line dancing to stay healthy and how adaptive
fitness has helped a family dealing with MS. Plus, our President and CEO Eric
Mann and Daniel NeSmith, who attended Camp Immokalee last summer as a
scholarship recipient from the Deerwood Rotary, led a crowd-funding effort
that raised almost $11,000 – in just three minutes - to send 20 kids to camp
this summer!
At Y-Bash, we also recognized three award winners for their outstanding
service. As the 2015 recipient of the E. William Nash, Jr. Legend Award for
the Y’s Community Partner of the Year, we celebrate Baptist Health for
its corporate wellness partnership with the Y, Healthy Living Centers inside
the Y and its role as a total wellness resource for our community. Stephen
M. Buente is our Volunteer of the Year in appreciation for his “hands-on”
leadership approach to leading the Camp Immokalee Task Force of volunteers
who collectively created a detailed report and action plan to energize
programs and facilities at Camp Immokalee. This year’s Carl & Rita Cannon
Employee of the Year Award goes to Gwen Roberts for nearly 10 years of
service dedicated to our youth and this year, receiving the highest rating from
the City for our TEAM UP program.
Making Kids of All Ages Safe
in the Water
Helping Teens Become Leaders
COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN UPDATE
APRIL 18
APRIL 25
APRIL 29
MAY 2
MAY 2
MAY 5
MAY 7
MAY 16
And more events to come!
Our goal for 2015 is audacious – to raise
$1,600,000 and change lives. Y staff and
board members have already led the way
by raising more than $869,413 so far.
Now is the time of year when members at every branch are asked to give
generously and corporate partners provide vital funding to build healthier and
stronger neighborhoods. Your support, along with every member, volunteer
and collaborative corporate partner, makes raising money to fund these
priorities possible! We thank you if you’ve already given; if you haven’t yet,
we’re asking now. Together, we can do so much more.
Above: The event was held at the Florida Theatre. Rufus Payne
Elementary students kick off the night with an African-inspired
dance number. Gwen Roberts accepts her award for Employee of the
Year. The Johnson Y’s line dancing group entertain the crowd with a
high-energy routine.
CHARITABLE GIFT PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR Y-BASH SPONSORS
Children and adults of all generations will continue to need the Y to grow and thrive. Consider how you can support work in your
community through a gift in your will or through a designation of life insurance or other means. We would love to discuss your
options in more detail. Contact Jan Brogdon at 904.265.1812 or jbrogdon@firstcoastymca.org. If you have already made those
arrangements, please let us know. We would like to be clear on your expectations and honor your intent in the best way possible.
The LBA Group • Dixie Carpet Concepts • Florida Blue • Legal Accounting Solutions, Inc. • J&J Flooring
W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor, Inc. • Helping Kids Across the World • Masters, Smith & Wisby P.A.
Diversified Port Holdings • SHAW Inc. • Pond and Company • Anthony’s Gourmet Catering