West Cook YMCA
E-mail: jpate@opymca.org
Website: http://www.opymca.org/
The
West Cook YMCA has been an important community institution for
more than one hundred years, serving thousands of children, youth,
families, adults and seniors. Part of the national and international
family of YMCAs, the West Cook YMCA strives to build
strong kids, strong families, and strong communities, in addition to
putting programs into practice which build healthy spirit, mind, and body
for all.
Many
people recognize the Y’s leadership and strength in areas such as health
and fitness, childcare, and aquatics. Indeed, the West Cook YMCA offers a
wide variety of programs and classes to address the needs of a healthy
lifestyle and the importance of asset building in our children and youth.
But the West Cook YMCA also supports many other populations and programs
from senior wellbeing and teen interaction to computer literacy and
diabetes prevention.
The
YMCA is a membership based movement, where members have an integral role
in determining the character of each individual Y. The YMCA is led by a
local volunteer board made up of community leaders and YMCA members who
share a vision for meeting community needs now and in the future. As a
not-for-profit charitable organization the YMCA turns no one away for
inability to pay and provides thousands of dollars in scholarships and
subsidies to those who might not otherwise be able to afford the benefits
the YMCA has to offer.
Through
collaboration with other community organizations, corporations, and
foundations, the West Cook YMCA leverages grants and gifts to maximize its
service delivery to members and participants from Oak Park, River Forest,
Forest Park, and other surrounding areas. Volunteers and staff have the
opportunity to further their skills through YMCA training activities and
events to deepen their connection to the YMCA movement and to further
enhance their contribution to the community. While Christian in its basis
and guiding principles, the Y is open to individuals of all faiths and
none.
In 2006, the West Cook YMCA became actively engaged in the National YMCA Diversity Initiative, an important and timely review and plan for furthering diversity in all its dimensions. The opening of the new “Y Box” Youth Center for kids and families and the Charter One /YMCA Community Learning Center further enhanced the Y’s many offerings. In 2007, the YMCA sponsored a community forum on asset building in young people.
There is also
the ongoing planning for a move to Forest Park and the building of a new
state-of the art YMCA in the near future.
The
YMCA will continue to play an important role in the life of many West Cook
families and the communities at large. For more information on Planned
Giving contact Scott Gaalaas or Jan Pate at 708-383-5200.
Henry
Kranz, Coordinator
Updated October 24, 2007