CEO MESSAGE
These are exciting times at the Y! Just last month in September, we had our…
MOVING US FORWARD – October 2019
HALLANDALE BEACH YMCA NOW OPEN
The new Hallandale Beach YMCA Family Center at Bluesten Park opened its doors to the Hallandale Beach community on September 7 at 7:30 a.m. And celebrated its Grand Opening with a VIP Reception on September 26 and a Community Day on September 28.
This is an exciting time for the residents of Hallandale Beach and surrounding areas. They have been waiting for a healthy living option that works for their entire family, and now they have it.
The 40,000-square-foot facility has space for adult and family programming, and includes a pool, gymnasium, state-of-the-art fitness center with cardio and weight equipment, group exercise studios, indoor cycling studio, Teen Room, Afterschool Room, Kids Zone, Community Room, sports fields, and more.
YMCA BEACH BALL RAISES MONEY FOR DROWNING PREVENTION
On September 21, the YMCA of South Florida Beach Ball brought together nearly 500 of the community’s leaders to support its water safety and drowning prevention initiative. The event is held to raise funds for free swim lessons and water safety instruction for children and adults. This year, with a focus on spreading awareness on the effects of non-fatal drownings on the victims and their families, the event raised more than $400,000 in support of water safety and drowning prevention.
The YMCA recognized Barbara and Philip Wong as Life Saver Award recipients for their $1 Million gift to build an Aquatics Center at the South Dade YMCA, which will provide swim lessons and water safety education to kids and families in the South Dade community.
CEO Message
Sheryl A. Woods President/CEO
These are exciting times at the Y! Just last month in September, we had our Beach Ball take place and our brand new Hallandale Beach YMCA open!
The new Hallandale Beach YMCA Family Center opened its doors on September 7 with 1,500 members which grew to over 3,100 by the time we celebrated the Grand Opening with a VIP Reception and a Community Day at the end of the month.
The celebrations were a culmination of a renovation of Bluesten Park that included building a brand new health and wellness option for the community – the YMCA. This is the result of a great partnership between the City of Hallandale Beach and the YMCA. Huge shout out to all the people involved in making the new Y a reality – YMCA CFO Mark Russell, Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy Adams, YMCA of South Florida Board and Hallandale Beach YMCA Advisory Board Members, Hallandale Beach City Commissioners and Staff, Hallandale Beach Police, Police Athletic League, Kaufman Lynn Construction, and ACAI Architects, and of course the Hallandale Beach YMCA Staff.
This is a great opportunity and the Y looks forward to providing healthy living options and growing the services we offer.
And, our Beach Ball continues to grow each year in attendance and funds raised, led by our Executive Director of Special Events Aimee Fretwell. With more than 60 Sponsors and nearly 500 guests, we are spreading the word about water safety and drowning prevention. And providing resources to do it! We raised over $400,000 this year, a 25% increase over last year. That is amazing!
The Y and its partners continue to be committed to strengthening our communities and opening doors by creating opportunities for everyone in our community to grow and thrive. We look forward to finding more opportunities to serve the community.
BRINGING AWARENESS TO WATER SAFETY & DROWNING PREVENTION
The YMCA of South Florida continues to make water safety and drowning prevention a priority. Every day, we partner with organizations and members of the community to get the word out about the need for all kids to know how to swim. Take a look at some of the ways we are getting the word out and making a huge impact.
BANK OF AMERICA STUDENT LEADERS DEVELOP SKILLS AT YMCA
Through a partnership with Bank of America, the YMCA of South Florida hosted four Bank of America Student Leaders for a very successful summer. The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is awarded to high school juniors and seniors, engaged in community service. It includes a paid summer internship at a local nonprofit and leadership training at a summit in Washington, D.C. The eight-week, paid summer internship allows juniors and seniors in the program to develop important workforce skills and learn to build financial security at an early age.
ANNUAL SUPPORT CAMPAIGN UPDATE
The 2019 Annual Support Campaign is at 81% of Goal, raising more than $701,000 of the $851,000 goal. The Greater Hollywood YMCA has joined Homestead and L.A. Lee YMCAs as Goal Busters. Teams will continue to raise funds to ensure that kids and families can participate in YMCA experiences like swim lessons and youth sports programs, and wellness and exercise activities.
Donations to the campaign can be made at ymcasouthflorida.org/give.
Mind, Body, Spirit: The Weston YMCA is bettering the minds, bodies, and spirits of residents
October 2019 – inWeston Magazine
HALLANDALE BEACH: MOVING IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION
10/3/19 – South Florida Sun Times
YMCA COMES TO HALLANDALE BEACH
RIBBON CUTTING SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 31
8/8/19 – South Florida Sun Times
Michael Oher & Jamarca Sanford give motivational message and school supplies to Homestead youth
8/23/19 – South Dade News Leader
Kiwanis Club of Miami awards $135,000 to community recreation, sports groups
8/5/19 – Coral Gables News
YMCA obtains $19M to build new facility on Sistrunk Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale
9/23/19 – South Florida Business Journal Online
YMCA and Peter Bluesten Park Ribbon Cutting
9/19/19 – South Florida Sun Times
New YMCA Open in Hallandale Beach
September 2019 – Aventura Digest
Mentoring Matters: Bank of America Gives South Florida Student Leaders Firsthand Experience Through Summer Internship
8/20/19 – CBS 4 Miami
L.A. Lee Golden Shovel Groundbreaking
Coming in November
