PALO ALTO FAMILY YMCA HONORED WITH CONTINUING SERVICE AWARD AT CITY’S PTA ANNUAL HONORARY AWARDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Palo Alto, California, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) June 10, 2011 -- PALO ALTO, CA – June 10, 2011 – Palo Alto Family YMCA announced today that it received the honor of a Continuing Service Award at the Palo Alto PTA Annual Honorary Awards last week. Additionally, two YMCA board members – Becky Beacom and Sunny Dykwel – also were honored for their achievements in community service. An Honorary Service Award was also presented to DreamCatchers, a Y partnership at the Ventura Teen Center. The annual program celebrates local PTA partnerships and honors community volunteers for their service to Palo Alto residents.

"We are thrilled and feel so grateful to have been honored with the Continuing Service Award,” said Scott Glissmeyer, executive director of the Y. “Our door is always open to everyone in the community, and we want everyone to know that no matter their need, they have a place to go. We appreciate all the support we have continued to receive from our local partners, donors and volunteers. This is truly a team effort.”

The Y received the award for continuing service because of its ongoing commitment to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Last year, Palo Alto Family YMCA impacted the lives of hundreds of youth, adults and families with more than $500,000 in financial assistance for YMCA programs and services. The Y is a member of Project Safety Net, a task force created to develop and implement a community-based mental health plan for Palo Alto youth. The Y provides a wealth of resources to the community, including the YMCA Ventura Teen Center, funded entirely by donations to the YMCA Annual Giving Campaign. The center, which has served as a resource for nearly 1,000 middle and high school students, offers a variety of free activities, teen programs, college preparation, and resources to students for homework assistance, one-on-one tutoring, computers and internet access, fitness and dance programs, social activities, and a comprehensive college success center.

The Honorary Service Award was presented to DreamCatchers, a Y partnership and unique after-school tutoring program at the Ventura Teen Center started by a student, staffed by students, and for the benefit of students. It strives to foster an environment where students receive homework help and seek help from tutors for mentoring and empowerment. Programming at the center develops teens from low-income households to help them pursue and achieve their academic and life goals. Students work closely with personally matched tutors who cultivate strong mentoring relationships with the students throughout the school year. What makes DreamCatchers successful is two-fold: a curriculum that instills skills and the mindset necessary to achieve academically and a dedicated group of tutors who receive professional development that builds their tutoring skills.

Two YMCA board members, Becky Beacom and Sunny Dykwel, also were recognized for their work in the community. Beacom received the Golden Oak Service Award for nearly 30 years of demonstrating leadership, dedication and commitment to the well-being of Palo Alto youth. Beacom volunteers teaching prenatal exercises at Abilities United. She is a founding member of Mothers Symposium and a strong advocate for youth, collaborating with the City of Palo Alto and Palo Alto Unified School District. Beacom also serves on the board of Project Safety Net, HEARD Alliance and Break Through the Static. She has filled roles on several school district committees, including SOS, SHARE and the Palo Alto Drug and Alcohol Community Collaborative. She has also written and analyzed data from recent youth surveys, including Social Norms, Healthy Kids, Palo Alto Research Center and Developmental Assets.

Dykwel received the Sally Siegel Service to Children and Youth Award, recognizing her as a leader serving Palo Alto youth and families for many years. As vice president of Parent Education, this year Dykwel produced a series of programs offering compelling and interactive presentations to students and parents. She organized a series of Asian community dialogues featuring a panel of students, parents and experts to discuss their diverse stories. She also partnered with the Mid-peninsula Media Center and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation to provide live broadcasts and online viewing of parent education events. Dykwel also serves as a board member of the City of Palo Alto Parks and Recreation Commission and is the Palo Alto Research Center representative to the City/School Liaison Committee and the Library Bond Stakeholders Committee. She is an active member of Project Safety Net and the Developmental Assets committee.

About The Y
The Y is a powerful association of men, women and children of all ages and from all walks of life joined together by a shared passion: to strengthen the foundations of community.

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