The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago has been supporting communities across Metropolitan Chicago for nearly 150 years. This year, in particular, the organization has more than just its impactful history to celebrate. They’ve just opened a new 60,000-square-foot, $22.5-million West Loop headquarters that will also serve as a research lab furthering the mission to foster academic readiness, character development, violence prevention and fitness for children, adults and families. And on Oct. 27, the organization will hold the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago 2016 Recognition Dinner, further supporting the diverse programs and services that also advance their mission.
We asked 10 Chicago leaders why they’re so excited about supporting the YMCA. Here’s what they had to say.
1. Rita Canning, founder of WINGS (Women In Need Growing Stronger), a domestic violence shelter for women and children, and recipient of this year’s So Much More Than a Leader Award:
“The comprehensive cradle to career support offered by the Y’s 10 human service programs and abundant community partnerships give youth and families in underserved communities roots and wings. Families feel safer. Youth are more likely to stay in school, graduate, go to college, succeed.”
2. John Amboian, chairman at Nuveen and event chair:
“The YMCA is using data smartly to measure and monitor the impact of its programs and partnerships. This is key to getting the most out of four of the Y’s significant youth safety and violence prevention programs:
- Urban Warriors — partners post-9/11 veterans as mentors with youth in high violence areas;
- Bridging the Divide — facilitates peace-making dialogue between police and youth in six high crime areas;
- Story Squad — provides ‘narrative therapy’ to improve critical thinking, mindset and communication skills; and
- Restoring Individuals Through Supportive Environments (RISE) — supports youth ensnared in the justice system.”
3. Steve Crown, general partner at Henry Crown and Company, chairman of the YMCA Board from 2009-2012 and event chair:
“The new West Loop headquarters is a crowning achievement not just in Chicago, but nationally. It collects data from our own programs and from the other nonprofits who share our space. This allows the Y to analyze and grow support for other effective nonprofits in the youth and family development space too.”
4. Vince Foglia, co-founder of Sage Products, recipient of the 2015 So Much More than a Leader Award and event chair:
“Honesty, responsibility, respect and caring about other people are values I believe in and that the Y was founded on. They are foundations you look for in every person you hire and every friend you have.”
5. David Hiller, president and CEO of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, which received the 2015 So Much More than a Partner Award and has made a transformative three-year commitment to the Y Essentials Quality Initiative (YEQI) in early learning:
“An investment in effective early childhood education is the most impactful donation of all. These YMCA programs help young children overcome the deficits inherent for in underserved communities.”
6. Peter McNitt, vice chairman of BMO Harris, which provided lead funding for the Learning Institute at the new West Loop facility, and is accepting the 2016 So Much More than a Partner Award on its’ behalf, and chair of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago Board:
“When you join the Y, you join something big, bold and powerful. Across our Northeastern Illinois region, the Y supports and transforms communities, as well as individual lives.”
7 and 8. J. Christopher and M. Jude Reyes, brothers, event chairs and co-chairmen of Reyes Holdings, which distributes food and beverages across the country:
“The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago distributes support at over 100 partner program sites and camps. With these programs, we hold the keys to one of the largest and most effective human service programs in the country.”
9. Sam Skinner, former US Transportation Secretary and White House Chief of Staff under George H.W. Bush, former president of Commonwealth Edison, of council attorney for Greenberg Traurig, LLP, serving on numerous corporate boards, and event chair:
“There is more than one way to have skin in the transforming lives game. The best organizations always promote and adhere to good values.”
10. LeeAnn Trotter, entertainment reporter for NBC5 and event host:
“The Y’s robust and engaging programs serve individuals, families and the community very well. The stories we hear from Y youth, teens and their families are firsthand accounts of how the YMCA is so much more to so many.”
Support the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago:
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