The YMCA has been serving communities since 1844 through various programs and locations across the Chicago area. It focuses on four mission areas: academic readiness, character development, violence prevention, and fitness/healthy living. It addresses issues in these areas through programs like after-school care, fitness classes, camps, and more. The YMCA measures its impact through assessments of participants and publishes an annual report. It relies on membership fees, donations, and other funds to operate its wide-ranging programs and services across the Chicago region.

1. Tim Skladzien
Organizational Profile
History
The YMCA has been unique in its expansive reach ever since it was founded in 1844.
In the Chicago land area alone, there are 23 different centers, 5 camps, and over 100
partner sites. The Y provides programming to more than 60,000 children, from birth to
age 18, and their families. Every day of the year allows more than 4,000 Chicago land
residents to come to work as part of the Y’s dedicated staff committed to serving their
communities. The Y has geographically lined up each YMCA location so that each
location falls in line with a Metra-transit line; the Metra goes through the towns
where each YMCA is located.
MissionStatement
The mission of the Chicago land YMCA is to develop strong children, families, and
communities across metropolitan Chicago through four mission anchors: academic
readiness, character development, violence prevention, and fitness and healthy living.
Problem/issue/cause that YMCA is attempting to address
The YMCA is committed to make an impact across the four mission anchors.
Currently, they define the impact as “the outcomes that our programs have.” Once
defined, they have to ask: “What is the story of how the Y changes an individual's life?”
Individuals are impacted through an increase in knowledge, behaviors, resources, and
positive relationships in the near-term that lead to academic, career, and personal success
in the long-term.

2. Core programs, products or services that the YMCA operates to address the issue
One of the aspects that the YMCA focuses on is academic readiness. Current research
shows that a lack of academic support can be devastating on youth outcomes. The
achievement gap can begin as early as nine months of age and by the time children enter
kindergarten many start behind their peers. The achievement gap widens throughout
school and has negative implications for children’s academic and career readiness. At the
Y, children are introduced to skills and attitudes and the resources necessary to lead and
succeed as their educational path develops.
The second aspect that the YMCA focuses on is character development.
While knowledge and skills have traditionally been the focus of improving outcomes
among students, researchers are realizing that non-cognitive factors such as social-
emotional competency is a better strategy in supporting young people’s readiness for
school, work, and life experiences. The YMCA aims to build character in youth through
positive exposure to peer as well as adult role models and, in turn, develop confidence
and skill building into leadership within their future.
Employers in the 21st century look for “soft skills” like collaboration, problem
solving, and effective communication. It is reported that more than 70% of hiring
mangers value social intelligence over academic achievement and are more likely to
promote employees who demonstrate emotional intelligence.
The third aspect that the YMCA focuses on is preventing violence. Adverse childhood
experiences can have a severe negative effect on a child’s development causing ill
behaviors into adolescence. These issues are widespread through America and pose a
persistent challenge among all racial and ethnic groups in urban, suburban, and rural
areas.
Research shows that the prevention of youth violence is an important part of
promoting the health and safety of youth, families, and communities. Chronic exposure to
violence and trauma can cause the brain to over-produce neural connections related to
fear, anxiety, and impulsive behavior; connections that are under-produced affect
planning and behavioral control. These changes in brain activity set youth at risk for
psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression as well as low self-concept, sleep
disturbances, and violent behavior. The Y aims to stop violence before it starts.
The fourth aspect that the YMCA focuses on is fitness and healthy living. Research
shows that a healthy lifestyle can boost self-confidence, reduce depression, improve sleep
quality, build bone density, strengthen the immune system, and prevent obesity and
chronic disease. Fact: one third of all US children and teens are obese. Fact: children who
live in health fostering environments tend to complete more years of school, have higher-
paying jobs and live longer, more productive lives. Therefore, this integrated approach
includes both mind and body.

3. How social impacts are created through the YMCA
In academic readiness, the Y helps to close the achievement gap. The Y makes
learning fun in programs like science and reading because youth learn better when they're
having fun! The Y emphasizes the importance of going to school for at-risk youth. 40%
of at-risk youth attended more school days (2012-2013) than the previous school year.
Statistics in the Impact Handbook show that “at risk” youth made up to 25% higher gains
in math and reading compared to their non-Y peers. Most importantly, 95% of YMCA
teens feel they can graduate from high school and plan to attend college.
Character development is strengthened as the Y helps to give youth hope. Youth are
taught to make right choices like avoiding alcohol and/or drugs when faced with tough
situations. Statistics in the Impact Handbook show that over 90% of youth reported
having more hope in their future, 75% of teens feel they can make healthy choices, and
that over 70% of teens feel they can one day become effective leaders. The employees are
role models to the teens and are all involved in certain teen and youth programs as
counselors at the Y.
The Y helps keep youth safe. Violence protection is stressed by providing positive
adult role models who they can turn to in times of conflict situations. Statistics have
shown 100% of teens feel they don’t have to turn gangs, nearly 80% of teens believe it’s
important to participate in solving teen issues within their communities, and that over
90% of youth strengthened their relationships with caring adults who they were able to
turn to in times of conflict.
Most people know of the Y's focus on fitness and healthy living. The Y gets youth
moving and eating healthier. Statistics have shown that 71% of youth reported doing the
daily-recommended amount of at least 1 hour of physical activity and nearly 80% of
youth ages 5-10 reported trying new fruits and vegetables.
How the YMCA functions financially (donors, grants, investors, revenue, etc.)
The YMCA is able to “work” because of their financial plan: the money received from
their clients memberships, programs, paid fitness classes, day care, and kindergarten
allow a cash flow. In addition, there are local business donations from the suburban
businesses and grants donated to the Y. Corporate and other local businesses provide
monetary sponsorship. By using their trademark name “YMCA,” the Y gains income
when promotional ads are published. It is also important to note that most of the
expenditures are used to pay its employees, promotional ads, maintenance of the
buildings, supplies for locker rooms, and fitness equipment, just to name some from their
extensive list. At the end of the financial year, it is imperative that any excess funds stay
at the YMCA and that all finances are completely managed by each location's Board of
Directors.

4. Current attempts to measure and publicly report organizational impact
Social impacts were focused on academic readiness, character development, violence
prevention, and healthy living. Measurement of their success used research-based
assessments such as the Classroom Assessment Scoring System, Human Achievement
Quotient, tools that assess pro-social attitudes and behavior, and the Presidential Fitness
Test to measure these impacts. The Annual Impact Book provides a public report of
measurements.
Theory of Change
The Theory of Change that that YMCA strives to succeed in is creating Social
Responsibility, Fitness & Healthy Living, and Youth Development. Not only that, but
adults feel that the YMCA is great place to work-out and take advantage of group
fitness classes so that they can be involved in the same goal as if they were a team.
For kids and teens, the YMCA benefits them by providing the Before & After School
program, summer camps, enrichment classes, swim, and miscellaneous other
physical activity classes.
Logic Model
Inputs Activities Outputs Outcomes Impacts
-Employees &
volunteers
-Facilities with
activity rooms
-Studio rooms
for various
group classes
-Workout
Equipment
area
-Remote area
camps for
team building
-Funding
-Various group
classes:
-Spin
-Body Pump
-Total Body
-Circuit
Training
-TRX
-Yoga
Various
kids/teen
programs:
-Swim classes
-Pottery
-After-school
care
-Participation
of the public at
the YMCA
-Daily tally of
attendance of
all fitness
classes
-Improving the
health and
well being of
the community
by improved
violence
prevention,
improved
character
development,
and academic
readiness
Healthier and
happier
community by
learning and
prospering
into a
meaningful
relationship
together in
health and
academic
readiness

5. Measurement Plan
Primary Impacts
Inputs Activities Outputs Outcomes Impacts
-Employees &
volunteers
-Facilities with
activity rooms
-Studio rooms
for various
group classes
-Workout
equipment
area
-Remote area
camps for
team building
-Funding
-Various group
classes:
-Spin
-Body Pump
-Total Body
-Circuit
Training
-TRX
-Yoga
Various
kids/teen
programs:
-Swim classes
-Pottery
-After-school
care
- Public
participation
at the YMCA
-Improving the
health and
well being of
the community
through
improved
violence
prevention,
improved
character
development,
and academic
readiness
A healthier
and happier
community by
learning and
prospering
increase both
health and
academic
readiness
Secondary Impacts
Families Employees School
Administration
Kids/Teens Community
Families
adopting
strategies the
Y teaches
such as goals
for their own
fitness and
healthy living
including
Involving
their
children
-They want
to come back
because they
are believers
of the
mission
Numerous chances
to interact with
members each day
and chances to
grow character
when working
with members on a
goal
-Changes of
school
attendance
-Improved
character
development in
classroom
-Improved
violence
prevention
-Students are
more successful
at school
-Changes of
improved
health and well
being, violence
prevention,
character
development,
and academic
readiness
-Together this
makes it a safe
place for youth
to come and
learn self
confidence
-Strengthens
the community
-Community
businesses want
to be involved
in the Y’s
mission
-Involvementas
a whole for a
chance to
prosper

6. The YMCA will use these impacts as a checklist at the end of the year when
compiling their annual impact report. Members and the community will be able to
view the report in printed copy as well as on their website. I believe this will
continue to serve as a checklist to provide continued support of the mission of the
YMCA. In turn, this will help the YMCA staff evaluate and take into action what
adjustments need to be made in their program operations.
Key Impacts and Metrics
Health and Fitness
-Number of people involved in the fitness programs
-Number of people who are regulars in certain classes
-Feedback from attendees of the classes: by how they feel after working out
-Weight Loss Challenge Results
Community
-Number of memberships per year and monthly
-Number of donations received
-Promoting the Y’s programs through fliers and handbooks in hopes to increase
program awareness
-The percent increase of volunteers each year
Youth Development
-Percentage of academic readiness gained
-Percentage of violence decrease thought the year at all locations, but more focused
on the Y’s in the City of Chicago
-Percentage of healthy eating and living, by decrease of obesity
-Percentage of character development skills within teens and kids

7. Social Responsibility
-Percentage of people who give back to help the Y’s neighbors
-People involved in making a difference give back to the Y through fundraising
events: book sales, golf outings, and 5 k fun-runs, to name a few. The community, in
turn, tells their friends about other Y programs and the spiral for interest and
membership builds.
-There was even a family at the Foglia YMCA in Hawthorn Woods, IL who gave a
check back to the Y for the amount of prize they won in a weight-loss challenge so
that a needy child/children could attend summer camp.
Why I choose these impacts
By measuring these impacts, the YMCA can evaluate if they are up to date with their
current mission statement/ goals that they aim toward in their focus.
Measurement System
Indicator Metric Baseline Target Data Source Frequency
Sales of
Membership
# of
members
who have a
membership
and come to
the Y
4,100 to
4,500
memberships
Surrounding
neighborhoods
Units in
software
system
Daily
Kids/ Teens
School
Attendance
Average
attendance
97% last
year
85% Before & After
School
Monthly
Fitness &
Healthy
Living
# of
attendees of
each and
every
fitness class
80% full 75% Gathered from
fitness
instructors
and class
attendees
Per class
Kids/ Teens
Character
Development
Percentage
of students
surveyed
that show
their skills
within
developing
character
60% last
year
80% in hopes
to improve
developmental
skills
Before & After
school; school
administration
office
attendance
Monthly

8. SuccessStories
Throughout the Metro-Chicago YMCA area, all Y’s have a well-known training
program where you can work one-on-one with a personal trainer. They can help you
establish your personal fitness goals. This unique personal training methodology
was designed with set results in mind. Y MaxTraining™ System goes beyond
personal training. It is a complete exercise and nutrition system customized to your
goals, nutritional habits, health and fitness experience and pre-dispositions. One
lady from the Naperville area lost 30 lbs. and 15 percent of her body weight after 14
months of the program.
Just about every YMCA across the country seems to have success stories of members
losing weight. One member’s success story from the Northwest Louisiana YMCA
talks about losing weight. Major had been a loyal downtown YMCA member for
several years. However, a checkup at the doctor quickly motivated him to start
focusing on a healthier lifestyle. Determined to lose weight and get physically fit,
Major lost a total of 60lbs in just 4 ½ months! Major's exercise routine consisted of
heavy cardio workouts including, but not limited to, the treadmill, interval training,
and using the Cybex strength training equipment at least 3 times a week.
Major put in 33 years of dedicated service to the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Department
and because of his commitment to his health and the opportunities at the Y, he is
still going strong! When he's not out patrolling the streets, you might find Major on
the golf course or chilling with some of his favorite old Jimmy Buffet tunes.
Lastly, the following is an email received from the Foglia YMCA’s fitness director
Kaysi Marshall that she received from one of her clients and his success story.
“After many years of on-again, off-again attempts at getting in shape, I was in a
routine that was marginally successful. Fortunately, I happened to see the sign-up
sheet for the Weight Loss Wars Team challenge for the Foglia YMCA... it has been life
changing. It has not been easy, but the motivation and encouragement from the
coaches and the other members has made all the difference in breaking the
monotony of typical workouts.
As part of the life change, one of the other significant differences has been in
tracking EVERYthing...food intake, activity, weight. Tracking to that level can be
daunting, but as a nerd-at-heart, I found technology dramatically simplified the
process. The information allowed me to keep track of my progress AND make
smarter choices.
Another key to success was setting a goal and measuring to that goal on a consistent
basis. But, the most important thing is to NOT GIVE UP!! Like everyone, I had
setbacks and plateaus along the way, but keeping the goal in mind and pushing

9. through allowed me to get back on track. Since starting the program I have dropped
about 65 pounds and 3 sizes in clothes.”
Reccomendations for the YMCA that will aid in its implementation and
utilization of the measurement efforts
My recommendations for the YMCA are very minimal. However, for their Fitness
classes, they could use some type of measurement system to see what the impact of
fitness and wellness turns out to be. From an email exchange with Kaysi Marshall,
she told me, “We track our attendance for all bundled classes (classes free w/
membership) and we have attendance rosters for all paid classes. It would be hard
to give a percentage. In fact a new system for tracking will be started tomorrow,
however, it will take some time for data to be accurate.”
One of my other suggestions would be to have more outdoor programs for young
adults and teens. This can be a way of people getting to meet new people and engage
in social skills using “out of the building” experiences.
It would be interesting to study the demographics measuring the neighborhood
zones according to members’ race, ages, what programs they are involved in, and
what job positions they hold.