Carefree Truth
Issue #491, June 17, 2016
The Town of Carefree was a significant donor towards building the Desert Foothills Family YMCA (DFFY). Led and inspired by Carefree resident and English Rose Tea Room owner Jo Gemmill, many Carefree residents, ourselves included, also donated money. 6-1/2 years later, there's a lot to show for it. Katie Smetana, the Senior Executive Director of DFFY provided an update to the Carefree Council.
DFFY is located in the Holland Community Center, on 60th Street, off of Carefree Highway. It has over 2,600 membership units, over 9,200 members, and receives between 700 and 1,700 visits per day, depending on the time of year. More than just a "swim and gym", the non-profit community center focuses on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, offering fitness and socialization programs for all ages. Membership dues only cover basic operations; all other funding is derived from donations. DFFY provides financial assistance to those in need, and gives free or subsidized memberships to over 200 military families. They teach children to swim and teach water safety at the elementary schools. Their buses bring over 50 children to the Y for after school programs and recreation. DFFY reaches out to help strengthen the community. Donations are tax deductible and stay at DFFY.
In 2016, one focus will be on Drowning Prevention, with free swimming lessons given to any adult who cannot pass their swim test, so that parents and grandparents watching over children at pools can be prepared in case of emergencies. Another will be on Reducing Chronic Obesity. In September, LIVESTRONG, a cancer recovery wellness program will launch, fully funded by donations.
A continuing priority is preparing young adults for self sufficiency. DFFY's Teen Leaders Club has over 30 members, the largest in the Valley. Employee U instructs teens aged 14-18 on how to dress for and how to present themselves at job interviews.
Outside of their walls, they have partnered with the Town of Carefree to present Yoga in the Gardens, which began in March and went through May. It proved to be a popular program and will be returning in the fall. Chair/Gentle Yoga takes place at the Desert Lutheran Church. Physical fitness and daily living programs are held at the Dream Street Assisted Living Facility. Volunteerism is being encouraged both within the Y and also out in the greater community.
DFFY sponsored field trips to the Carefree Desert Gardens during the 2015 Enchanted Gardens Pumpkin Festival, with 2 Family Carving Nights, a fundraiser that netted over $5,000, and they provided face painting and crafts. Healthy Kids Day in April brought Ray Villafane, formerly a teacher and who enjoys interacting with kids, to the Y for sand carving fun. In May, DFFY held field trips for 'tweens and teens to see Ray and Sue sculpt the elephant and mouse chess match. They feel connected to Ray. Field trips have also been made to the Kiwanis Splash Pad. The splash pad and various Carefree events are promoted via signage at the Y. Field trips to the Christmas Festival are planned for this year. They would like to expand their partnership with Carefree through continuing health and wellness programs in town, and by providing support for family friendly activities.
Mayor Les Peterson thanked Ms. Smetana for her presentation. He said, "Just by way of perspective, 360,000 people coming to your facility, participating in your activities, is literally 3 times, sometimes 4 times, what a major facility down in Phoenix would get to come into their facility. It's quite an amazing feat to accomplish in a relatively short period of time." Councilman Gene Orrico asked if DFFY could possibly provide some volunteers to help with events in Carefree. Ms. Smetana felt something could be arranged. Mr. Orrico also mentioned that Ms. Smetana volunteers on the Kiwanis Board of Directors.
https://vimeo.com/170129245
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list. Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
Issue #491, June 17, 2016
The Town of Carefree was a significant donor towards building the Desert Foothills Family YMCA (DFFY). Led and inspired by Carefree resident and English Rose Tea Room owner Jo Gemmill, many Carefree residents, ourselves included, also donated money. 6-1/2 years later, there's a lot to show for it. Katie Smetana, the Senior Executive Director of DFFY provided an update to the Carefree Council.
DFFY is located in the Holland Community Center, on 60th Street, off of Carefree Highway. It has over 2,600 membership units, over 9,200 members, and receives between 700 and 1,700 visits per day, depending on the time of year. More than just a "swim and gym", the non-profit community center focuses on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, offering fitness and socialization programs for all ages. Membership dues only cover basic operations; all other funding is derived from donations. DFFY provides financial assistance to those in need, and gives free or subsidized memberships to over 200 military families. They teach children to swim and teach water safety at the elementary schools. Their buses bring over 50 children to the Y for after school programs and recreation. DFFY reaches out to help strengthen the community. Donations are tax deductible and stay at DFFY.
In 2016, one focus will be on Drowning Prevention, with free swimming lessons given to any adult who cannot pass their swim test, so that parents and grandparents watching over children at pools can be prepared in case of emergencies. Another will be on Reducing Chronic Obesity. In September, LIVESTRONG, a cancer recovery wellness program will launch, fully funded by donations.
A continuing priority is preparing young adults for self sufficiency. DFFY's Teen Leaders Club has over 30 members, the largest in the Valley. Employee U instructs teens aged 14-18 on how to dress for and how to present themselves at job interviews.
Outside of their walls, they have partnered with the Town of Carefree to present Yoga in the Gardens, which began in March and went through May. It proved to be a popular program and will be returning in the fall. Chair/Gentle Yoga takes place at the Desert Lutheran Church. Physical fitness and daily living programs are held at the Dream Street Assisted Living Facility. Volunteerism is being encouraged both within the Y and also out in the greater community.
DFFY sponsored field trips to the Carefree Desert Gardens during the 2015 Enchanted Gardens Pumpkin Festival, with 2 Family Carving Nights, a fundraiser that netted over $5,000, and they provided face painting and crafts. Healthy Kids Day in April brought Ray Villafane, formerly a teacher and who enjoys interacting with kids, to the Y for sand carving fun. In May, DFFY held field trips for 'tweens and teens to see Ray and Sue sculpt the elephant and mouse chess match. They feel connected to Ray. Field trips have also been made to the Kiwanis Splash Pad. The splash pad and various Carefree events are promoted via signage at the Y. Field trips to the Christmas Festival are planned for this year. They would like to expand their partnership with Carefree through continuing health and wellness programs in town, and by providing support for family friendly activities.
Mayor Les Peterson thanked Ms. Smetana for her presentation. He said, "Just by way of perspective, 360,000 people coming to your facility, participating in your activities, is literally 3 times, sometimes 4 times, what a major facility down in Phoenix would get to come into their facility. It's quite an amazing feat to accomplish in a relatively short period of time." Councilman Gene Orrico asked if DFFY could possibly provide some volunteers to help with events in Carefree. Ms. Smetana felt something could be arranged. Mr. Orrico also mentioned that Ms. Smetana volunteers on the Kiwanis Board of Directors.
https://vimeo.com/170129245
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list. Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.