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44 | April 11, 2019 | The Northbrook tower northbrook<br />
northbrooktower.com<br />
PAID ADVERTISEME<strong>NT</strong><br />
THE NORTH SUBURBAN YMCA CELEBRATES 50 YEARS IN OUR COMMUNITYWITH<br />
HOWARD SCHULTZ -NSYMCA PRESIDE<strong>NT</strong>/CEO<br />
Working at the Yhas beenone of the most challenging and<br />
satisfying experiences of my life.<br />
When Iwas hired by the NSYMCA in 2006, the Ywas deep in<br />
debt, had many problems, and wasvery close to being terminated<br />
by Y-USA. Paralysis of visionhad set in and Iwas tasked to<br />
“Savethe Y”. Fortunately,likeagood contestant on the cooking<br />
show Chopped,Irecognized the ingredients of awinning menu<br />
here: ateam of dedicated volunteersand staffwho responded<br />
in spectacular fashion once anew vision waslaid out, and the<br />
obstacles to success were removed.<br />
Clearly we did something right. We pursued the “art of the<br />
possible”, became aservice partner of choice fordozens of<br />
community agencies, and after morethan 12 years and $11M later,<br />
the Yhas prospered as the Center of the Community. Wehave<br />
done major renovations, were named the Northbrook Chamber’s<br />
Small Business of the Year,Iwas appointed to twoNational Y-USA<br />
Committees, and we won11categories in the North ShoreChoice<br />
awards forthe thirdstraight year!<br />
RonBernardi showedmethat Rotary’s guiding principle of working<br />
forthe “The GreaterGood” couldbeappliedtohow Imanagedthe<br />
Y--toimprove the lives of those in need, and to servethe broader<br />
community.That single principle is instrumental in everythingwedo,<br />
because it’s the right thing to do!<br />
North Suburban YMCA • 2705 Techny Rd.Northbrook, IL 60062 • 847-272-7250 • www.nsymca.org<br />
Youhavetogrowjusttostand still,<br />
and we don’t likestanding around.<br />
The best part of my job is hearingabout our members’ life-changing<br />
stories, such as parents beaming about their children’s growth in<br />
our special needs programs, or post-operativecancersurvivors who<br />
tell me that the Yhas given them anew lease on life, or the mom<br />
who is able to work because her kids areonscholarship and safeat<br />
our afterschool program.<br />
Being the second longest tenured CEOofthe NSYMCA overthe last<br />
50+ years makes me feel responsible formaintaining tradition, while<br />
creating newopportunitiesand innovations forthe future. But Iwill<br />
feel truly satisfied when the community helps us finish our 50th<br />
Anniversary capital&capacitybuilding campaign thisyear,and<br />
complete our foundation forthe next 50 years!<br />
Do youhaveagreat Ystoryorwant to get involved withthe Y’s<br />
50th anniversary initiatives or events?<br />
Please contactKanda McMullen at kmcmullen@nsymca.org.
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