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Together We Can
Build Strong Kids
The ultimate test of the relevance
of the services any not-for-profit provides is to ask the question
“if your organization was to cease to exist tomorrow, would it be
missed?” I can assure you that to ask this question in relation
to our YMCA in Naperville is an academic
exercise. Interestingly, however, we recently asked that question
about our work in Aurora. For over two decades the Y in Aurora
has struggled financially. You may be aware that in 2000 we
merged with the Aurora YMCA in the hopes that the increased
activity and larger service area would make both of our YMCAs
stronger.
Unfortunately we were not able in
the years since 2000 to turn the operation around financially
because of ongoing issues related to the physical facility. In
late December we made the very difficult decision to throttle down
the majority of activities at the Garfield Street site and, in
time, we hope to sell the property as downtown Aurora continues
its revitalization. Our intention is never to leave Aurora but
rather we are committed to providing Y service through the use of
community facilities. .Over time we are hopeful we can establish a
strong community based program and ultimately construct a smaller,
more efficient building to serve the “new” Aurora.
The most interesting result of the
announcement of our plans has been an incredible outpouring of
stories from individuals who have used, enjoyed and benefited from
the Aurora Y on Garfield during the past fifty years. Stories of
adults who were positively impacted by Y leaders have been
common. Adults remember the Y as their home away from home when
they were growing up. The bottom line is that the YMCA in Aurora
has changed people’s lives and made them better, more successful
adults.
The mission based, values driven
nature of the YMCA is what differentiates us from those who are
perceived to be our competitors. We have never lost our resolve
to provide valuable services to Aurora or Oswego or Naperville.
And beyond that we can never forget that as a YMCA we are
committed to serving all young people without regard to financial
abilities.
Each February we very publicly work
to raise money for our Strong Kids Campaign to help fulfill our
promise to serve all kids, even if they can’t afford the cost of
participation. If the Y program went away tomorrow, it would be
missed. And we must never forget that those who need financial
assistance must always be welcomed and embraced. Your gift to our
Strong Kids Campaign today will help insure that all kids tomorrow
can remember as adults that the Y made a difference in their
lives.
Submitted by: Tom Beerntsen
President/CEO
Heritage YMCA Group
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