Representative Joel Kitchens Celebrated Disability Employment Awareness with Door County YMCA Employee

Representative Joel Kitchens visited Elizabeth Gierhahn on Monday, March 7^th at the Door County YMCA as part of the Take Your Legislator to Work Campaign, organized each year by the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities.  

The campaign coordinates visits between legislators and their constituents with disabilities.  During the visit, Mr. Kitchens got to see community-integrated employment in action and learn more about the value it brings to the employee, employer and greater community.  Elizabeth shared her passion for assisting members and talked about how much she truly loved her job working in the Aquatics Department of the Sturgeon Bay YMCA Program Center.

Cindy Zellner-Ehlers, Children Services Program Manager and representative for the Board for People with Developmental Disabilities shared, “the opportunities for employment at businesses like the YMCA are so fantastic for Elizabeth and others with disabilities because it really allows them to focus on their strengths – in this case, Elizabeth is great with people - so this is a perfect fit. Community employment promotes full citizenship and inclusion, dispelling the myths and stereotypes that we still fight regarding what people of all abilities can and cannot do. The value system around the world of work is promotion of real lives, real work. Elizabeth is an excellent celebration of community employment and absolutely loves her work at the Y.”  Mr. Kitchens was a gracious guest and even allowed Elizabeth to show him first- hand how she runs the slide at the Y – after two fun joy rides, his visit was complete!

When people with disabilities work in the community at a competitive wage, they are less likely to rely on publicly-funded programs.  And, 87% of customers say they would prefer to patronize businesses that employ people with disabilities.  The Take Your Legislature to Work Campaign aims to bring awareness to these programs that benefit so many in our community.

For more information contact:  Beth Moss, Beth.Moss@Wisconsin.gov

Still Looking for Your Presidential Candidate? Meet Zoe

 The Y's candidate of the future.

 On Thursday, February 25th, YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) and the Door County YMCA launched Zoe for President, a campaign to elect a one-year-old girl as our nation's Commander in Chief...in 2064. The campaign highlights the potential the Y sees in all kids to grow up and change the world if they're nurtured properly and supported along the way. Through Y initiatives like childcare, after school care and homework assistance, mentorship, summer foods, leadership opportunities and more, kids have greater potential to succeed, stay active and healthy in mind, body and spirit, and one day, maybe even become president.

"While Zoe for President is a breath of fresh air during a heated campaign cycle, every child, regardless of background, needs support and guidance to reach their full potential," Kevin Washington, president and CEO of YMCA of the USA, said in a statement. "Our campaign will address actual issues that America's communities are faced with each day like access to early childhood education, safe space, meal assistance, and the Y's role in solving the challenges head on."

“The Door County Y works to ensure all individuals have the support they need to achieve their full potential,” said Tom Beerntsen, CEO of the Door County YMCA.  “We are focused here in Door County and our surrounding community, on providing programs and services that address some of the most critical social issues facing our area, such as; LiveSTRONG - a program that offers support both physically and mentally for cancer survivors, Summer Foods - which provides free, healthy meals for hundreds of children all summer long, and many other mission related programs for children, adults, families and senior citizens.”

If you are interested in donating to the Door County YMCA’s Annual Campaign, which supports all mission based programming and provides financial assistance to those in our community who otherwise would be unable to afford membership, feel free to visit our website at www.doorcountyymca.org and click GIVE or call us today at 920-743-4949.      

Door County Sturgeons Underwater Hockey Update

Door County's underwater hockey club, the Door County Sturgeons, for the first time sent 2 teams to the Can Am Midwest Championship underwater hockey tournament last weekend.  The 2 day tournament

was hosted at the Walter Schroeder Aquatic Center in Brown Deer, Wisconsin, and included thirteen teams from Canada and across the United States.  The Sturgeons’ two teams took second and third places in the open division after an exciting sudden death overtime match in the semi-finals. 

 

The second place Sturgeons team is pictured below, with players left to right: Tim Feist, Amy Ensign, Kaitlyn Schauske, Terry Chier, Molly Banks, Gale Chier, Mark Truckey, Rosa Zhang, and player/coaches Kendall and Susan Banks.  

 

The third place Zebra Muscles team included players from Sturgeon Bay, Green Bay, and Marquette: Matt Brown, Brittany DiMaria, Brendon Ewers, Paul Filar, Trisha Filar, Luke Foote, David Foulds, Adam Gardiner, Robert Vernon, and Albert Weber.

 

The Sturgeons meet on Fridays at the Sturgeon Bay YMCA at 6:30 and welcome new players of all levels.  They will also be teaching a kids underwater hockey course at the Y this spring.  Visit their website at www.sbunderwaterhockey.com   for more information about the team and the sport of underwater hockey.    

YMCA To Consolidate Childcare Services

The YMCA announced today that it was going to consolidate its childcare programming into one site from its current two locations.  At the present time the YMCA operates the Barker Center on Egg Harbor Road and the Lansing Center on the west edge of the industrial park in Sturgeon Bay.  Beginning on January 11, 2016 all children will be served at the Barker Center.

The consolidation has been made necessary because of the drop in enrollment created by the expansion of the all-day 4K program in area schools and by the financial impact which the Affordable Health Care Act (ACA) will have on the operations for the childcare program beginning in 2016. 

“The YMCA business model for childcare programming is built on a blend of a low ratio of newborns to teachers (4 to 1) to a much higher ratio of four year olds to teacher (18 to 1).  With the critical reduction in the number of four year olds, and the new costs of the ACA mandates, the business model for two buildings is not sustainable” explained Door County YMCA CEO Tom Beerntsen.  “When the Federal Government established a low 30 hours per week threshold for the definition of fulltime employment for the ACA, it resulted in an exposure of more than $100,000 in new expenses, on an annual basis, in the childcare area alone” Beerntsen continued.

The purchase of the Barker Center facility in 2012 was driven by the need for additional quality childcare in Door County.  Soon after opening in 2013 the Center was filled and in the second year of operation the Barker Center was awarded the coveted and nationally recognized Five Star Young Star rating. 

In early 2014 the Lansing Center was purchased and became the main location for the YMCAs well attended eleven week day camp program and the main kitchen for the YMCA summer foods program which served more than 20,000 lunches to children weekdays this past summer.  The Lansing Center opened for childcare service in the fall of 2014 and also serves as an offsite location for wellness classes.  Ministry Door County Medical Center also operates a satellite office at the Lansing Center.

YMCA Board of Directors Chairperson, Steve Abrahamson indicated that accessible and affordable childcare is critical to the ability of a community to attract young families and develop a vibrant economy.  “Moms and dads have been able to go to work knowing that their children are safe and in good care when they are at our YMCA childcare centers.  We remain committed to working to design a business model which allows us to continue these important services under one roof” Abrahamson commented.  “It is unfortunate that in this case well intended decisions at the federal level with healthcare and the related loss of our 4 year old enrollment in day care has resulted in a challenge to the viability of care for the youngest of our children” Abrahamson concluded.

The Lansing Center will continue to serve as a site for wellness classes, summer day camp, summer foods and other special Y programs.   The operation of the hospital satellite office is unchanged under the current lease arrangement.  It is anticipated that the use and disposition of the two YMCA owned centers will be determined in the third quarter of 2016.

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National Service AmeriCorps member placed in Sturgeon Bay to serve community

April Novak was announced as Marshfield Clinic  AmeriCorps member serving at Door County YMCA Sturgeon Bay Center until August 31, 2016. April is a native of Kewaunee, Wisconsin.

April is serving as the Volunteer Coordinator at the Door County YMCA.  Her principal duty is to update and maintain the volunteer process.  She will also be periodically making contact with current and past volunteers, as well as recruiting new volunteers to serve the Door County YMCA, Sturgeon Bay and Northern Door locations.

AmeriCorps offers opportunities at 25,000 different sites throughout the U.S. for individuals to engage in intensive service for one year to meet critical community needs.  Since 1994, 900,000 volunteers have participated in AmeriCorps, addressing needs in education, health, economic support, and the environment.  In exchange for their service, AmeriCorps members earn an education award that can be used to pay for college or to pay back qualified student loans. 

Marshfield Clinic sponsors three AmeriCorps programs: an after school tutoring and healthy active living program, a program for building nonprofit capacity through effective use of volunteers, and a program that supports substance abuse prevention.

April joined the Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps program to gain experience in the community and human service areas.  Her work is driven by a desire to serve individuals and families, as well as strengthen the community and society as a whole.

April went to St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin and graduated in 2015 with the degree in Psychology.

Marshfield Clinic provides patient care, research and education with more than 50 locations in northern, central and western Wisconsin, making it one of the largest comprehensive medical systems in the United States.

YMCA Receives $200,000 Challenge Gift

Northern Door Capital Campaign Passes $1 Million Mark for Phase 2

An anonymous $200,000 challenge gift pushed Phase 2 of the Door County YMCA’s Capital Campaign for the Northern Door Program Center past the $1 million mark. As of today, each new dollar committed to construct a 3,500-square-foot addition at the Fish Creek facility will be matched up to $200,000.

“We’re optimistic that with this major new commitment to our project we’ll be able to secure the necessary gifts and pledges to begin construction before winter weather arrives,” said Tom Beerntsen, Door County YMCA CEO. “We value every dollar we receive, and this challenge gift doubles the impact of each contribution as we work to reach our $1.5 million goal.”

The addition will be constructed on the south side of the existing building, facing Gibraltar Road, and will house a new Lifestyle Center. With an additional 1,200 square feet for cardio and strength training equipment compared to the current Lifestyle Center in the center of the building, the way in which the Y serves members and guests will be visibly transformed, and the space in the center of the building will be renovated into multi-purpose rooms.

“During recent strategic planning focus group meetings it was confirmed how vital the Y is to residents and Door County visitors alike,” said Northern Door Program Center Executive Director Drew Richmond. “This facility has provided a space for a wide range of activities that promote healthy lifestyles since 1999, and this next phase of construction will allow us to better serve our community for many years to come.”

Other elements of Phase 2 include replacement of the gym roof, all air handler units, a refurbish of the two main shower rooms, and renovation of all bathrooms. Last year, the Y raised more than $750,000 to expand and replace the aquatic center mechanical room, dehumidification system and boilers as Phase 1 of capital improvements.

Individuals and businesses interested in helping to meet the new challenge gift should contact Drew Richmond (drichmond@doorcountyymca.org, 920-868-3660) or Tom Beerntsen (tbeerntsen@doorcountyymca.org, 920-743-4949).

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YMCA Capital Campaign Approaches $1M Mark

The Door County YMCA announced today that Green Bay Packaging and the George Kress Foundation have made a $500,000 commitment to the YMCA for a new, 3,500-square-foot Lifestyle Center addition to the Northern Door Program Center. This addition is the centerpiece of the current effort to raise $1.5M to construct the new Lifestyle Center, reroof the gym, replace the facility’s air handling units and refurbish the locker room shower rooms.

Will Kress, Green Bay Packaging CEO, indicated that they are pleased to be able to support this important YMCA expansion program.   “Our family has been long-time supporters of the YMCA in northeast Wisconsin, and we have had a deep interest in Door County for several generations. We appreciate the importance of a strong and vibrant YMCA program and understand that the Y in Door County is truly the center of the community,” Kress said.

The new Lifestyle Center will face Gibraltar Road and it is hoped that construction will begin prior to the end of the year.  More than $900,000 has been raised to date for this phase of capital improvements. Last year the YMCA raised $750,000 to expand the Aquatic Center mechanical room and replace the dehumidification system and boilers.

“It is our intent to move forward with each necessary improvement to the Northern Door Program Center as the funds are secured,” said Door County YMCA CEO Tom Beerntsen. “The improvement to the pool area was an incredibly important but not very visible investment. Our next improvements will be highly visible and significantly improve the usability of our facility – the Lifestyle Center addition will change the way we are able to serve our members and the community.”

Contributions and pledges are currently being sought to reach the campaign goal of $1.5M. For additional information on the building program and the fund raising effort, contact Drew Richmond, Development Director/Northern Door Program Center Executive Director (drichmond@doorcountyymca.org, 920-868-3660) or Tom Beerntsen (tbeerntsen@doorcountyymca.org,920-743-4949).