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2006: A Year of Great Opportunity
This past year
we provided YMCA programming which offered opportunities for every
member of the family. We have worked hard to provide our 22,000
members and other community participants with quality activities
and great customer service. We developed a strategic plan which
is guiding our daily work and helping us to shape our future. As
we grow and improve our business it is essential that we
continually remind ourselves about the mission and values that
drive our work.
I recently
attended a session at Benedictine University about ethics in
business. The common thread that connected all the presenters was
their belief that the values that have driven their behavior in
business were learned at a very young age at home and through
individuals who were their mentors and heroes. At the YMCA we
sometimes become so involved in the mechanics of running programs
that we forget to communicate the very essence of our mission. We
simply don’t do a very good job of telling the community why the
services the Y provides are so important to the kids and families
that frequent our facilities and programs.
We say that at
the YMCA we build strong kids, strong families and strong
communities. And the way we do that is by stressing the values of
caring, honesty, respect and responsibility in every program we
offer. If we can help young people today embrace those four
values we will go a long way toward insuring that they will make
the right decisions tomorrow.
We don’t talk
often enough about the fact that our job is to put everyday heroes
in the lives of kids so they can develop a strong sense of self
esteem and dreams and hopes for tomorrow. Every day in every
program we offer we have this incredible opportunity to have a
positive impact on our kids.
And the good
news is we will not deny anyone the opportunity to participate
because of an inability to pay. That is why our annual Strong
Kids Campaign is so important.
2005 was a
very good year for the YMCAs in Naperville. And we are working
very hard to make 2006 an even better. Please know that we value
the support we receive and will continue our efforts to make
Naperville an even better place for our kids and families.
On behalf of
the YMCA Board of Directors and staff let me wish you and your
family a wonderful Holiday Season and a happy and healthy New
Year.
Submitted by: Tom Beerntsen
President/CEO
Heritage YMCA Group
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