Thanks J C Penney!
J C Penney has granted over $175,000 to the programs of the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati including many of our CincyAfterSchool Programs. As we speak, some of our kids are out shopping for clothes with their gift cards and many programs are enjoying the grants they've received. JC Penney is a fabulous partner for us and we appreciate their amazing support. At the Lights On event, Laura Vix of JC Penney awarded us with the check for $175,000, pictured here with our own esteemed President Sandy Berlin Walker and our CincyAfterSchool Regional Network Director, Rochelle Cooper Morton. .

Don't forget the time change!
Hope you all had a wonderful week. With Halloween, we kick off the holiday season. Remember our clocks fall back this Sunday... they say, time waits for no one...and since we are falling back... it's a great time to look at what is working and what you'd like to change in your programs before time gets away with you!

Open Door Policy with Chris Francis
Chris Francis just had an impromptu visit from John Wayne, a youth who attends the Dayton Teen Center. He attends "a school for bad kids" as John calls it. "John took it upon himself to open my door, walk in and sit down and ask if I owned this place," Chris shared. After a good laugh, Chris explained his relation to the teen center. John told Chris that the Dayton Teen Center staff was doing an excellent job and that "if this place wasn't here, he would definitely be getting into trouble somewhere else." Chris asked him what he liked and he praised the ping pong table and the staff. When asked what he likes to do for fun, he said that he likes to lift weights, but doesn't have the opportunity that often since he can't participate in organized athletics. Chris is working on finding a way to get him a Y membership and invites everyone to keep the comments coming. Thanks John!