January 2, 2012
Disney on Ice Characters Spearhead Lakewood YMCA's Anti-bullying Rally
By Pamela Hale Burns, Press Telegram
LAKEWOOD - You've got a friend in me - that was the message delivered by "Toy Story 3" characters Buzz and Woody during an anti-bullying rally Thursday at the Lakewood YMCA.
With the help of the Disney on Ice characters, who are in town for a production at the Long Beach Arena, about 150 children each took an oath promising to say "stop" and to take a stand when they see others getting bullied, or when they themselves are.
"I think this is a huge subject to cover with kids, especially from this age through to university," said Jade Zeron, a skater with Disney on Ice Pixar Toy Story 3, and the mistress of ceremonies for Thursday's event. "It's peer pressure upon peer pressure and that's all that they see - trying to be better than someone else. It shouldn't be like that, but it's society and we can't fight it. But there are ways of trying to prevent it."
During the event, three YMCA children read their winning essays about their experiences with bullying.
Payton Andrews, 9, read about how she had once been bullied in school.
"Being bullied made me feel sad," she said. "I told the teacher the girl was bullying me and she (the girl) had to go somewhere else. It's not nice to bully people because it's going to make them feel sad."
One known reason for bullying is people's differences, said Kelly Campanelly, program director for After School Enrichment YMCA.
"I think it's very important for kids to know that just because someone is different than you, looks different than you, acts different than you - you should still treat them with respect and kindness and try to be a friend to everybody," she said.
According to Stomp Out Bullying, a national anti-bullying and anti-cyber-bullying program for kids and teens, bullying is a problem that affects millions of students of all races and groups. One out of four kids is bullied and 43 percent have been bullied while online, according to the organization.
Buzz and Woody's popularity make them a great choice to carry Disney's anti-bullying message, Zeron said.
"With us doing this with Buzz and Woody, kids can look at them and say they've been friends for this long and they've been friends with kids all over the world, why can't kids get along the same way," she said.
Mitchell Koss, 10, said, "I was bullied when I was younger and it felt bad," he said. "I think it's important for people to not bully other people because it's just mean, it's not nice, and it could really make people feel bad."
With his peers, Mitchell read his essay of how important it is to not bully others.
Victims of bullying need to know they are not alone, said Campanelly.
"There are a lot of kids out there who are being bullied," she said. "They need to let somebody know and learn to walk away and to treat other people with kindness, and hopefully it will come back at you."
More importantly, awareness is everyone's responsibility, Campanelly added.
"The community needs to be aware and to speak to their kids about not bullying and about treating everybody with respect," she said. "Because the message is going to really start at home."
Pamela Hale Burns, pam.hale@presstelegram.com, 562-714-2141
September 30, 2011
YMCA OF GREATER LONG BEACH Receives Grant to Expand Successful Change Initiative
Long Beach, September 30, 2011 The YMCA of Greater Long Beach received a twenty thousand dollar grant from YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) to continue its efforts to help make the healthy choice, the easy choice for residents of Long Beach.
Long Beach has participated in Pioneering Healthier Communities (PHC) – part of the YMCA’s Healthier Communities Initiatives – since September 2009. The Y’s Healthier Communities Initiatives focus on making policy and environmental changes that support healthy lifestyles and are built on the concept that local communities can work together to provide all community members with healthy choice options. This latest grant, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), allows a total of 23 communities, including Long Beach, to expand their current work to advance high-impact policies. High impact policies reach and impact large groups of people. For the purpose of PHC Initiatives, they are defined as any chronic disease health policy that can be implemented across an area.
“The Y is dedicated to strengthening community,” said CEO, Jason Hagensick. “Advancing our PHC work will help our families, friends and neighbors live their lives to the fullest potential. We are honored to be part of the growing movement of communities who are leading healthy change through policy strategies.”
In Long Beach, the PHC grant will unite The YMCA of Greater Long Beach and its collaborative organizations to create walking loops in parks and neighborhoods. The walking loops will be marked paths with identification signs and mileage markers to encourage walking in parks, neighborhoods and business districts to promote active lifestyles. Exercise stops, interpretive signage, and other amenities might be located along some of the walking loops. There will also be organized events, educational and promotional programs and materials to encourage use of the walking loops. There are five on the list of initial loops to explore and develop. A toolkit will be developed as part of the process to help other neighborhoods develop walking loops in the future.
Under the County’s RENEW program, the Long Beach Health Department was awarded a grant to work in partnership with community coalitions and residents to create a healthy food initiative for Long Beach. The Long Beach Alliance for Food and Fitness and the YMCA of Greater Long Beach Pioneering Healthy Communities Leadership Team have put forward the goal of developing a healthy food and beverage policy for the City to include healthy vending machines on City property and healthy beverages and snacks at city events and programs. The groups see a City level healthy food and beverage policy as an important step in addressing obesity and creating a healthy food environment.
Pioneering Healthier Communities is the Y’s signature initiative to create opportunities for healthy living through policy and environmental change. For more information about the YMCA’s Healthier Communities Initiatives visit http://www.ymca.net/healthier-communities
June 29, 2011
SUMMER CAMP CAMPAIGN: Shy Job Came Home Confident
By Sophia Lee, Los Angeles Times
Job Manriquez looks you in the eye when he talks.
He speaks impeccable English with his hands folded politely in front of him, and his eyes are bright and warm.
Even as a 10-year-old, he is careful about his image. Every morning he carefully works his hair up into a spiky row down the middle of his head with hair gel, a style he says he likes because it makes him taller.
He wants to be strong, he says, so he can join the U.S. Army when he grows up. He wants to be cool like his father, a soldier of the Mexican Army.
Nobody would ever recognize him from three years ago, when he first moved to Long Beach from Mexico with his mother and his fraternal twin sister, Michel (Job's parents are recently divorced).
"When he first came to us, he was so quiet and shy," said Jamesha Gloade, the site manager at Job's after-school program run by the YMCA of Greater Long Beach. "Now he's like a completely different person. He seems much more happy now."
It was an overweek change.
Job headed to the YMCA Camp Oakes at Big Bear as a silent boy who had trouble making friends, but just a week later, came back outgoing and chatty, his mother, Esmeralda Marquez, said through a translator.
Now he makes friends easily, Marquez said. In fact, she had more trouble than Job did when he went to camp.
"I missed him so much I cried for three days," said Marquez, who works the overnight shift at an Indian bakery so she can take care of her children during the day.
But seeing the clear difference in her son made Marquez more eager to send him to summer camp again this year.
"He is really a very playful and talkative boy," said Melissa Lopez, a YMCA volunteer who has known Job since he moved to Long Beach. "Camp helps to bring that out of him."
Through the generosity of ... Click HERE to read more.
Give the Gift of CAMP - Click HERE
June 16, 2011
2010 Annual Report Now Available!
Message from our Leaders
Dear Friends:
You may have noticed that the Y is changing the way we present ourselves. For the first time in 43 years, we are unveiling a new logo and revitalizing our brand.
This change comes at a critical time, because it is designed to increase understanding of the impact we are making in the community. Our nation and community face unprecedented challenges, and the Y wants to open its doors to more people who can benefit from what we have to offer.
The Y is a powerful association of men, women and children of all ages and from all walks of life joined together by a shared passion: to strengthen the foundations of community.
No one understands better than you, our volunteers, donors and members, the benefit of giving back. We’ve always known that positive change only comes about when we invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors. And that’s why we’re here. Our new brand strategy simplifies how we describe what we do, grouping our programs and services into three areas of focus:
Since 1884, the YMCA of Greater Long Beach has been part of the fabric that makes our community a better place to live and work. So while we’re changing our appearance to better reflect the work we do and the positive impact we make, we’re still supporting communities in the same way we always have.
With a commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living, and fostering a sense of social responsibility, the Y ensures that every individual has access to the essentials needed to learn, grow and thrive.
Thank you for being a valued volunteer, donor and member of the Y - we are ever-grateful for your generosity. We look forward to continuing to meet the needs of the people and families in Greater Long Beach and, with your support, we will work to enrich more lives and more families, and strengthen the community around us for decades to come.
Warmest regards, Jack Hinsche, Chairman of the Board, and Jason Hagensick, President and CEO.
June 2, 2011
It's a Brand New Day
On the evening of June 2nd, the YMCA of Greater Long Beach gathered to celebrate 127 years of incredible service to the Greater Long Beach community.
The Airport Marriot ballroom was full of YMCA family and friends from each of the eight
branches and the Metro office. The Metro Board of Directors was well represented by Chairman Jack Hinsche, Craig Dougherty, John Gooding, Curt Kurtz, Bob Murrin, Charlie Nunn, Paul Perry, Ron Piazza, Sean Piazza, Bob Schack, Ken Walker, Arline Walter, Kelly Williams, Bill Winters, Susan Anderson Wise, and Lois Zelsdorf. After the Invocation, Master of Ceremonies Jack Hinsche recognized the Paramount Petroleum Corporation Vice President of West Coast Refining Ed Juno for their continuing generosity and support. The highlight of the celebration was the official introduction of Jason Hagensick as the 14th President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Long Beach. Present were Jason’s parents, Darla and Johnnie Hagensick and his aunt Dana Provenzano, who had flown in from Texas to be present at this milestone. Also present were three past Board Chairs: John Gooding, Ron Piazza, and Bob Schack, as well as former president and CEO, Alan Hostrup, presently the President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Los Angeles. Jason spoke of the brand new national perspective of the YMCA with its endless possibilities in the scope of work to be done, the people the Y could serve and the support the Y could engender. He said, “Starting today, we’ll position ourselves as the community’s leading non-profit for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.” He reiterated the Y’s dedication to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities as a promise and a cause.
Bob Cabeza, Vice President of Community Development, announced the winners of the American Youth Character Awards, whose achievements demonstrate an enduring commitment to core ethical values: from Jordan High School, José Lara; from Poly High School, Chandani Bawa; and from Lakewood High School, Matthew Binderim. Acknowledging the six returning or incoming Branch Board Chairs, Jack asked each to stand and be recognized: YMCA Camp Oakes – Dr. Stephen Coates; Community Development YMCA – Scott Eberlein; YMCA Early Childhood Education – Paul Perry; Weingart-Lakewood Family YMCA – Marla Burillo; Fairfield Family YMCA – Mike Kulakowski; Los Altos Family YMCA – Morgan Wheeler; and Los Cerritos YMCA – Rick Needham.
Congratulations were given to the Community Development Y and the Fairfield Family Y for implementing the YMCA’s Salsa, Sabor Y Salud program, recognized as the Youth Development and Healthy Living honorees. More than 40 members of local Y’s Men / Y Service Clubs were in attendance and were named as the Social Responsibility Honorees.
May 6, 2011
Jason Hagensick Named President & CEO
It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I announce the appointment of Jason Hagensick as the next President & Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA of Greater Long Beach.
The Board of Directors unanimously elected Jason this morning at our regularly scheduled Board Meeting.
Jason brings over 22 years of YMCA experience, having served at the YMCA of the Coastal Bend in South Texas, the YMCA of Greater San Antonio, and the YMCA of Orange County. In 2003 he joined the YMCA of Greater Long Beach as the branch executive of the Weingart-Lakewood Family YMCA and after excellent performance in that position, he was promoted to COO. Since January of this year, Jason has been serving in the Interim President & CEO role and has successfully led the Long Beach Y through this time of transition. Jason has earned a reputation as a trusted and respected leader in our YMCA.
Over the past year, Jason has played an integral role in the development of the 2011–2015 strategic plan and he looks forward to continuing the vision, implementing the YMCA’s new branding strategies, and inspiring association-wide collaborations.
The Board of Directors and I feel extremely confident in Jason’s ability to lead the YMCA of Greater Long Beach into the future as a cause-driven organization focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
Please join me in congratulating Jason for his many contributions and wishing him continued success in this new position!
Sincerely,
Jack E. Hinsche
Chairman of the Board
YMCA of Greater Long Beach
April 22, 2011
43rd Annual Good Friday Breakfast
Keynote Speaker Dr. King Alexander delivers a call to action for 600 in attendance
The 43rd Annual Good Friday Breakfast was held Friday, April 22, 2011 at The Westin - Long Beach on 333 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA.
Board member Craig Dougherty served as the Master of Ceremonies for the third time as the breakfast commenced with an invocation by former Mayor Beverly O’Neill and the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Mayor Bob Foster and 4thgrade Y participant Serena Clavery. Pamela Hale Burns gave a stirring rendition of “God Bless America” bringing goose bumps to many in the crowd and harpist, Greg Buchanan continued the musical inspiration, strumming a soulful version of “Amazing Grace.” Craig Dougherty memorialized the life and service of long time Y supporter Mark Bixby in his welcome address and Arline Walter delivered the scripture, a favorite of the Good Friday Breakfast crowd.
With over 600 in attendance, Keynote Speaker Dr. F. King Alexander, President of California State University Long Beach, referred to his spiritual upbringing in the South with lighthearted anecdotes that brought the crowd to laughter throughout his address. He also pointed out the Ys revitalized focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Using an emphasis on education, Dr. Alexander impressed upon those in attendance to, “make sure the children and generations on the way up have a better standard of living – We can do this.” Dr. Alexander expressed that, to him, this is what Easter truly is - making sacrifices so that those who come along have something better to look forward to.
The breakfast concluded with a thoughtful benediction by Board member Carlos Lima.
A gift to the community from Mike & Arline Walter, the 43rd Annual Good Friday Breakfast never fails to leave those in attendance inspired. Interim President & CEO, Jason Hagensick and Chair of the Y Board of Directors, Jack Hinsche, who also briefly addressed the Good Friday crowd, extend their gratitude to the many community sponsors who make the Annual Good Friday Breakfast a success.
The 2012 YMCA Good Friday Breakfast is slated for April 6, 2012. If you would like to be added to the mailing list please email your contact information to Amira Seaboch at the YMCA of Greater Long Beach, amira.seaboch@lbymca.org or call 562.279.1664.
March 16, 2011
The Passing of Mark Bixby (June 26, 1966 - March 16, 2011)
It was with deep sadness that we learned of the tragic passing of our friends and neighbors, including our beloved friend and YMCA volunteer, Mark Bixby. Mark began his involvement with the YMCA as a camper at Camp Fox while in elementary school. As an adult, he continued his involvement as a member of the Los Altos Family YMCA, and as a Board Member with YMCA Camp Oakes.
While his children were elementary school aged, Mark was highly involved in the Adventure Guides program through the Los Altos Family YMCA. Each year, Mark and his children would join others for the annual Camp Oakes winter camp. Mark developed a love for camp, and soon after joined the camp Board of Managers.
As a member of the YMCA Camp Oakes Board of Managers, Mark served in a variety of capacities including Board Chairman, and also Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee. While a part of the Board, Mark spearheaded several building projects at camp. He is largely responsible for the construction of Bose Lodge, the Dining Hall Annex, the Clair Johnson Campfire, and the sand volleyball courts, all of which are strategic parts of camp operation. Mark was also instrumental in the negotiation of several important contracts between the camp and county and city officials.
Along with Mark’s passion for his family, and camp, he also had a passion for seeing youth develop skills that would help them succeed in life. Mark was very involved in Rotary’s Camp Enterprise Program, held annually at YMCA Camp Oakes. Mark’s presentations and mentoring were always a highlight of this week-long event focused on teaching high school students basic business skills and leadership development. Mark was truly dedicated to serving his community and our youth.
The Bixby family has set up a memorial webpage for Bixby at Legacy.com.
If you would like to give in honor of Mark Bixby click HERE.
January 24, 2011
Jason Hagensick Named Interim President & CEO
The Board of Directors of the YMCA of Greater Long Beach met on January 13, 2011 for a regularly scheduled meeting. Chief among the agenda items was to accept the resignation of Alan Hostrup, who has been President & CEO for the past nine years and has accepted the same position with the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles effective February 1, 2011. At the meeting the Board agreed upon an interim plan of leadership while the Executive Committee decides on a successor.
The Board is pleased to announce that Jason Hagensick, Chief Operating Officer for the past four years, has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors as Interim President & CEO, until the Board elects a new President & CEO. Jason came to the Long Beach Y first as the Branch Executive Director of the Weingart-Lakewood YMCA and after excellent performance in that position, was promoted to COO. Jason is known for his outstanding work in the YMCA Association. He is very eager for this interim assignment and has a very experienced senior staff team in place.
The Board of Directors will work diligently and enthusiastically with staff and branch boards to continue our strong programs and mission driven service to our community through “our” YMCA!
January 20, 2011
President and CEO Alan Hostrup to Lead Los Angeles YMCA
It is with much sadness but immense pride that we bid farewell to Alan Hostrup, our YMCA President & CEO for the past nine years, as Alan leaves the YMCA of Greater Long Beach to serve the same position for the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, effective February 1, 2011.
Alan has served the YMCA of Greater Long Beach with absolute dedication and commitment. Adynamic collaborator, he excelled at connecting leaders of organizations to achieve the highest levels of impact in the community. Alan’s vision for youth development and family strengthening, and his focus on inclusion and the Y Mission, has elevated the YMCA of Greater Long Beach to national prominence.
During Alan’s nine-year tenure, revenue grew by nearly 20% and the Association’s first capital campaign in 35 years raised over $13 million. The YMCA’s Youth Institute program - developed during Alan’s leadership – boasts a 91% graduation rate from college and 100% graduation rate from high school.
We will miss Alan’s engaging and sincere style of leadership that prompted so many of us to volunteer and serve this outstanding organization. We’ve been extremely blessed to have had Alan as our leader, and he will forever be in our hearts.
Alan’s next and most likely final step of his lifelong profession of 34 years takes him back to his roots, the Los Angeles Metropolitan YMCA, where he held different positions spanning the first 25 years of his career. He will lead the country’s 3rd largest YMCA with 26 branches, 4 camps, 3,000 staff, an annual operating budget of $85 million, 240,000 members, and an endowment fund of $50 million. The Los Angeles YMCA is active in 60+ cities in a large geographic area extending to Lancaster to the north and San Pedro to the south.
I want to assure everyone that I and your Board of Directors will work diligently with staff and branch boards to continue our strong programs and mission driven service to our YMCA community.
Sincerely,
Jack E. Hinsche
Chairman of the Board
YMCA of Greater Long Beach
December 15, 2010
Holiday M.A.G.I.C. Food and Toy Distribution Photos in the Press-Telegram
On the morning of Saturday, December 11, the YMCA of Greater Long Beach held its 4th Annual Holiday M.A.G.I.C. food and toy distribution, and Tracey Roman of the Press-Telegram captured the moments.
October 11, 2010
LBYMCA Zumba Programs Featured in SecondAct Fitness
Alberto "Beto" Perez wanted to bring his workout classes from Colombia to the United States. But Perez had little money and wasn't fluent in English, so he had trouble getting fitness center managers to watch his dance videos.
In 1999, after going from one South Florida gym to another, Perez finally found a manager who agreed to let him teach a Saturday morning class. Then Perez arrived late to his first class and realized he had forgotten his aerobics music. He raced to his car and returned with a cassette of salsa and meringue songs, launching into a high-energy series of dance moves and exercises. "I improvised," he explained to Reader's Digest.
The roomful of frowns turned to smiles. Zumba (pronounced zoom-ba) was born.
Perez named the exercise class after the Colombian slang word meaning to buzz like a bee or move fast. A decade later, more than 30,000 certified instructors teach Zumba at more than 60,000 locations in 105 countries. The Zumba website claims 7.5 million participants take classes every week.
I decided to check out the Zumba craze, which is increasingly popular with baby boomers (like me).
On a recent Wednesday night, I joined 50 people crowded into the aerobics room at the Lakewood, Calif., YMCA...please continue reading on SecondAct.com
Read the rest on the original SecondAct.com website 
September 13, 2010
Afterschool Programs Address Children and Teens’ Social and Academic Needs
LONG BEACH, CA, SEPTEMBER 13, 2010 – As children and teens return to school, the YMCA of Greater Long Beach encourages parents looking for safe, educational and fun activities outside the classroom to take advantage of its afterschool program. Combining play with academics, the Downtown YMCA, Weingart-Lakewood YMCA, Los Altos YMCA, Fairfield Family YMCA, and Los Cerritos YMCA afterschool programs fill gaps in schools and in the Greater Long Beach area by offering enrichment through arts, music, physical education, sports and nutrition.
According to the Afterschool Alliance, 15.1 million children in the United States are left unsupervised after 3 p.m. In California alone, nearly a quarter of children are left alone – responsible for taking care of themselves.
Afterschool programming at the Y is a healthy way for children and teens to stay active and productive when the school day ends. Youth in the Y’s afterschool programs receive homework assistance and tutoring on tough subjects and can engage in a wide variety of activities that help develop character and keep children safe.
August 13, 2010
Sign Ups for Fall Programs Now Available!
Fall into something greater next season through one or more of our program offerings.
August 10, 2010
YMCA of Greater Long Beach Unveils Brand New Website!
We hope that you like our new look! We've completely reorganized our website to be more user-friendly, and intuitive to navigate. Let us know what you think!
