At the Y, we have been spending a lot of time looking at our future. The Y has listened and responded to communities’ most critical social needs since its founding and we’re determined to keep doing it.
Over the next few months the Naperville Ys will be soliciting feedback from the Naperville community. This feedback will help the Y design and deliver new programs and services that address critical issues in the areas of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. While we are gathering data to help lead our future, I thought I would take this summer break to share some of the unique uses and programs that have taken place over the last century…
A meeting place: The Kroehler Y has long been a community center and meeting place. Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, and Christian Scientists held services in the gym. Square Dance Club, Newcomers Club, Kum 4 Kards Klub, Flying Club, Coed Dance Group and Girl Scout Neighborhood meetings have met here, too.
Unique activities over the years included YMCA Men’s Chorus, Bridge Playing instruction, classes in English for immigrants when they arrived from Europe, courses in Russian conversation and in investing. Red Cross activities also took place during the war years.
The Gym doubled as an auditorium where concerts and other events were held.
In the 1980’s youth sports, collaborative summer day camp programs and “latch key” child care were large programs for the Y. Dozens of individuals have been baptized in the Family Pool.
This list is certainly not all inclusive, but point being that the Y is not just bricks and mortar. It is a movement that is here to meet our community’s most pressing needs. As we look to the future, I look forward to our opportunities to serve this community.
