Community Involvement
Pedware for the People of Port-au-Prince
West Cook YMCA Manager Leads Y’s “Pedware for the People of Port-au-Prince” Campaign
Ernie Compere is a man on a mission to help the people of his native Port-au-Prince, Haiti. A 29-year employee at the West Cook YMCA, where he is the residential/maintenance manager, Ernie lost an uncle, two nephews and possibly other relatives in the disaster that has devastated his native Haiti. But Ernie isn't dwelling on his losses.
In his spare time, he's leading a campaign centered at the West Cook YMCA "Pedware for the People of Port-au-Prince" to help the people of Haiti with a precious commonplace commodity - shoes. "People are walking barefoot over rough roads and pavement destroyed by the violent earthquake and aftershocks. Any clean shoes will be welcome here at the West Cook YMCA where we'll clean, sort and package them for the people of Haiti," said Ernie.
"We're so very proud of Ernie's many initiatives on behalf of the people of Haiti. His latest effort, the West Cook YMCA's "Pedware for the People of Port-au-Prince" campaign to send shoes to Haiti, is but another expression of how the people of the YMCA are demonstrating their concern for and solidarity with the Haitian people," said Jan Pate, president and chief executive officer of the West Cook YMCA.
"The YMCA of the USA, through YMCA World Service, continues to coordinate an international YMCA response to Haiti along with YMCAs in many other countries. Meanwhile, Ernie and his friends here at the West Cook Y are taking on the challenge of collecting much needed footwear for the children and people of Haiti, a land that he knows and loves so well," Pate said. "We will apprise the YMCA of the USA of this effort so that they in turn can notify the Haitian YMCA which is of course struggling in this disaster as well," she said.
This is not the first time Compere has reached out to help his fellow Haitians. Four years ago, he and his cousin and partner, Monique Cameron, a LaGrange real estate person, visited a remote area of the island - Cayes, about a five-hour drive from Port- au- Prince. We saw children, all without shoes, walking more than an hour to a local school room. I said, "this is too far, and too hard in Haiti's heat for these children. Let's build a school." So, Ernie and Monique formed the "Rise and Shine Foundation," a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization registered in Illinois, and began collecting funds. With their assistance and the help of friends and local contractors, a primitive two-room school house was built of cinder block construction.
Ernie sought the necessary permission from local authorities and hired several experienced local teachers. Today, Ecole Elizabeth, named to honor a mutual friend who assisted with funds, is open. Today, some 35 children from kindergarten through eighth grade are learning the basics.
Ernie and Monique continue to assist the people of Haiti, periodically sending food and funds but now their focus is on basic footwear, shoes of any style and size that will be suitable for walking. Ernie plans to travel to Haiti in late February to deliver the shoes collected at the YMCA.
Shoes, suitable for walking, of any size - infant, children, teen and adult are being accepted for the "Pedware for the People of Port-au-Prince" campaign at the West Cook YMCA.
Read about Ernie on NBC5 here.
Read about Ernie's story in the Wednesday Journal here
Read about Ernie's story in the Oak Leaves here
Read about Ernie's story at cbs2chicago here
Haitian Relief Fund Established
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Haiti. Like so many of you, the West Cook YMCA knows people personally effected by this disaster. The Rotary Club of Oak Park - River Forest has established a relief fund for the people of Haiti at the OPRF Community Foundation. Click below to find out how you can help.
http://www.clubrunner.ca/CPrg/home/storyitem.
Collaboration with Westlake Hospital
As a part of its outreach into newcomer and immigrant communities, the West Cook YMCA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with its Community Partner, the Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park as part of the Hispanic/Latino Well-being Collaborative of the YMCA of the USA. This YMCA-led initiative in the state of Illinois assists communities in understanding the mission and programs of the YMCA while providing a framework for the YMCA to enhance its cultural competencies and to work on new ways to meet the needs of others.
Thus far, the West Cook YMCA and Westlake have attended preliminary education and orientation sessions with 7 other local YMCAs in the state, and the West Cook YMCA has conducted focus groups both internally for Hispanic/Latino staff as well as in Melrose Park itself with the help of Westlake and the Melrose Park Community Alliance. The joint effort will continue into 2010 and will engage staff members, new volunteers, and community leaders along with new members and program participants.
Guidance on the model is being provided by the YMCA of the USA through the International Group. This state-wide initiative is the first of its kind in the United States. For more information, contact Jan Pate, President and CEO, at jpate@westcookymca.org or 708-434-0200.
(Pictured: West Lake Hospital CEO Pat Shehorn and West Cook YMCA President/CEO Jan Pate hold the signed Memorandum of Understanding)
Thanksgiving Day Dinner
The West Cook YMCA hosted it's annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner for it's residents and guests of West Suburban P.A.D.S. (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) on November 26, 2009. Over 50 guests enjoyed a Thanksgiving Day meal provided through the volunteer efforts of YMCA staff and members, community residents and P.A.D.S. volunteers and staff.
Also providing food for the event was Jewel-Osco on Madison St., in Oak Park, Complete Vending Service, Papaspiros Restaurant, and Whole Foods of River Forest.
Click here to see more photos!
Community Action Team for Healthy Kids
Community Action Team for Healthy Kids
The Community Action Team for Healthier Kids (CATHK) was formed in 2004 by a group of agencies and organizations within the Oak Park, River Forest, and Forest Park areas (listed to left). They were all concerned about the apparent epidemic of childhood obesity and wanted to take action at the community level. This community-based, intervention coalition has met monthly since that date bringing all the different ideas together to contribute to the dialogue on this issue. Together they can leverage their ability to be a very effective voice for children’s and family’s health.
The mission of CATHK is:
“To engage the Oak Park, Forest Park, and River Forest communities to improve the health and wellness of children”.
CATHK goals include:
- To reduce the number of Oak Park, River Forest, and Forest Park children categorized as overweight according to their BMI by 5%
- To promote an increase of time spent moving in physical activity
- To support and assist healthcare and childcare providers with resources to talk with parents and children about physical activity and nutrition at each encounter
- To promote local educational, health and physical events and activities in all three communities and to help parents and families locate them by:
- Coordinating notices of Community events for parents and families
- Promoting and supporting community Family Physical Activity
- Hosting YMCA Healthy Kids Day® involving all 3 communities
To analyze data from all objectives in order to re-target efforts.
The group welcomes agencies, businesses, and concerned citizens interested in our children’s health, their poor nutritional habits, and the lack of physical activity. Come see what the group is all about.
We currently meet the second Friday of each month at the West Cook YMCA, corner Randolph and Marion at 7:30am for one hour. BRING A FRIEND!
Click here to download the CATHK case statement.
Click here to download the Seven Qualities of Healthy Communities.
New YMCA Development
YMCA is Committed
October 6, 2009 - Forest Park Review
By Geri McLauchlan
