August CEO Newsletter

Hello YMCA of the Foothills Family,

In my July newsletter, I made the case for the value of getting outdoors this summer, experiencing a new place or just to unplug and relax with family, friends, and loved ones. I hope you all got a chance to do that. 

I’m incredibly proud to share that on July 14th, thanks to a generous grant initiative from ESPN and Disney, the YMCA of the Foothills was honored to be one of only eight YMCAs across the country selected by the YMCA of the USA to host the “Take Back Sports” event at Memorial Park and La Cañada Elementary School.This free, one-day event brought together nearly 500 children ages 4–12 to experience a variety of sports in a fun, welcoming, and low-pressure environment. From soccer and baseball to volleyball and shot put, kids were able to discover new skills, build confidence, and, most importantly, rediscover the joy of simply playing the game—without the pressure of competition or the need to be the best athlete on the field.

Our Y is participating in National Wellness Month

August is National Wellness Month, a month that focuses on self-care best practices and routines that help reduce stress and worry in our lives! Your Y is placing itself at the cutting edge of “Communal Wellbeing” as we look to provide additional pathways to a person’s spiritual, mental, social, and physical health. We are doing so by offering health seeker initiatives through innovative and “non-traditional” programs and services for our community: 

GUSD Adaptive Aquatics Program at College View School. The program focuses on introducing water safety and recreation to neurodivergent and physically limited students aged 3-22. 

Free community group exercise programs at Memorial Park and our Chaplain Program

We are aware that holistic health and wellbeing come in all forms and fashions, and as an organization dedicated to healthy living, we will continue to pour resources and passion into this vital work.

Creating memories that last forever.

During nine weeks of summer, our YMCA has hosted summer day camp at three locations within our service area, including La Cañada Elementary, Montrose Girl Scouts Program Center, and Verdugo Hills YMCA. Each week, we provided a fun and safe experience for 225 campers who came to make new friends, go on field trips, and experience new adventures. Additionally, over the course of two weeks, our Y took 250 campers and LITs up to Camp Big Bear, located at Big Bear Lake. A big THANK YOU to all of our camp counselors and camp leadership team for making this the Best Summer Ever for our campers!

As we finish up summer and get ready to head back to school and work, I want you to know that our Y wishes you all the very best of health and happiness in August. Looking forward to seeing you all at the Y.

Onward and Upward!

Vince Iuculano

Chief Executive Officer

YMCA of the Foothills