San Diego Armed Services YMCA

Serving 9,500 active-duty junior enlisted military service members and their families each month with free programs that make military life easier!

April 2012

Volume 7, Issue 4

108 Military Students Complete Operation Hero Winter Session

This program has greatly improved my childs self esteem and taught him how to express himself better... thank you! - Parent of Operation Hero
Participant

27 military students in 4 different schools graduated from our eight week afterschool Operation Hero program. Throughout the program YCO staff addressed challenges military youth face with curriculum designed on skill building and character development. A parent wrote, This program has greatly improved my childs self esteem and taught him how to express himself better. It has also taught him how to deal with bullying, thank you! Each student was awarded a backpack filled to the brim with school supplies, games, and other special prizes, thanks to the American Legion and their supporters. The ASYMCAs premiere after-school program targets children who have been identified by school personnel and parents as exhibiting difficultly adjusting both academically and socially in the school environment. Curriculum is designed to help children handle the challenges of military life, and help develop a positive self-image and social and communication skills.

2012 ASYMCA Golf Classic

In this Issue
Check out what we did in March!

Be sure to look out for our Special Edition Snapshot for more pictures and a closer look at our 2012 ASYMCA Golf Classic Tournament! More pictures can be found in our Special Events online photo gallery at militaryymca.org.
Compiled & Edited by Cat Quirk

Operation Hero Winter Session Youth and Community Outreach 2012 ASYMCA Golf Classic Special Event LIT Program Retreat Youth and Community Outreach Neighborhood Exchange Family Outreach Happenings at Headquarters Photo Highlight Hospital Volunteer Honored Naval Medical Center

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Lions Club recognizes Leadership In Training Program Success

LEFT: 2011 LIT programs allowed teens to practice and gain basic job readiness and know-how through hands-on trainings and professional outings. RIGHT: YCO Director Lyndsay Neer (right), Tyler Ruelas (center), and his parents (left), were excited to accept the check from Lions Club.

Thanks to the continued sponsorship from the San Diego Lions Club, the ASY Youth and Community Outreach department is excited to offer the second Leaders in Training (LIT) Program this spring. The generous $2,600 donation will support the LIT Retreat for military teens in May. This weekend retreat, which will be held on the beach at YMCA Camp Surf, affords the young participants, ages 13 to 15, the opportunity to participate in an interactive leadership curriculum that will provide them with specific skills to assist in their future endeavors and beyond. 2011 LIT graduate Tyler Ruelas and his parents assisted the ASY in accepting the check at the Lions Club meeting on Tuesday, March 27th. Tyler is a success story of the LIT program. Upon completion, he stayed involved by participating as a Junior Camp Counselor at Camp Hero. Currently, he has been offered a job position in the community and is attending Mesa college.

Photo Highlight: Happenings at Headquarters

ABOVE: Director Paul Steffens accepts a check from Vons. LEFT: The ASY Headquarters received a visit from Admiral Dixon and Kiki Smith.

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March Neighborhood Exchange serves over 700 individuals

Our March Neighborhood exchange served: 141 households, 714 individuals, and 264 bags of food. Neighborhood Exchanges occur on the fourth Thursday of every month and are made possible because of volunteers and a partnership with San Diego Food Bank and many volunteers.

Devon Ayres, Ward Volunteer, Honored

ASY Ward Volunteer, Devon Ayres, was recognized with a coin and thank you letter from Rear Admiral Faison, Commander of Naval Medical Center San Diego and Navy Medicine West . Devon visits Wounded Warriors twice a week. Over the course of a year, she has delivered more than 8,000 homemade cookies to Naval Medical Center Patients and Staff. Congratulations, Devon! The Naval Medical Center and the ASY depend on volunteers to make many of our programs possible. Volunteers contributed more than 35,000 hours to ASYMCA programs in 2011. Over 400 civilian volunteers contributed their time to help make military life easier.

Check out our Military Volunteer Programs April Calendar www.militaryymca.org Under Active Duty

Calendar of events
April
13 KUSI Shopping Spree 13 SDSU Military Appreciation Night 21 Healthy Kids Day 23 Computer Giveaway 26 Neighborhood Exchange 26 Volunteer Orientation

May
10 KUSI Shopping Spree 18-20 Drew Brees Celebrity Championship 21 Computer Giveaway 21 Wounded Warrior Golf Tournament 24 Neighborhood Exchange 26 American Freedom Festival 31 Volunteer Orientation Visit our Website Event Calendar for more events, updates, and free ticket giveaways!

Devon Ayres proudly accepts her letter of recognition for her excellent volunteer service.

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Our Latest donors and contributors

American Book Company American Legion Anderson Childrens Foundation Mr. Andrew Ma Carters Dr Seuss Foundation J.C. Earle Family Foundation Fund of the Hawai'i Community Foundation Lions Club of San Diego Salesforce Total Woman Gym and Day Spa

Thank you Brees Dream Foundation for the T-shirts! Were looking forward to celebrating Military Appreciation Day at the Drew Brees Celebrity Championship on May 20th! Military are welcomed to the golf tournament for free! Visit www.celebritychampionship.com to register for the event and sign-up for a free Carls Jr Lunch.

Thank you Corporate Partner Members and Major Donors...

Sutherland Management Company

The Spiva Family Foundation

Final thoughts...
From the Desk of Executive Director Paul Steffens:
There are many success stories in this edition of the SNASHOT. We are very proud of the 108 military students who participated in our Winter Operation Hero Program, who became heroes themselves by becoming stronger through learning new coping skills and more self-confidence. Gaining those footholds makes a very positive

difference in their future. Speaking of gaining the tools for success, my congratulations to Tyler Ruelas, who was recognized by the San Diego Lions Club for his successful completion of our Leaders in Training program, that lead to

employment and his decision to attend Mesa College. On the topic of even another success, we can all learn from Devon Ayres and her tireless dedication to assisting the patients at the Naval Medical Center. Well done, Devon! Also, a very special thank you to Vons for their generous donation of $10,000 to support our Neighborhood

Exchange program. Our community partners are invaluable to maintaining programs

that assist military families. Speaking of support, we were thrilled to have Rear Admiral Dixon Smith and his wife, Kiki, back in San Diego. Talk about solid supporters of military families they set the goals for us all to reach. Keep Chargin! -Paul

Support the San Diego ASY through the 16th Annual Stars & Stripes Fishing, Golf and Music Festival!
100% of the proceeds from our Auction Items and Sponsorships will benefit ASYMCA programs. Please contact Katie DesBois at 858-7515755 or katie@asymcasd.org to donate.

For more information on how YOU can make a difference

info@asymcasd.org 858.751.5755 www.militaryymca.org