Youth & Government 2015-2016 Annual Report
INSPIRING CHANGE
FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENTFOR HEALTHY LIVINGFOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
“Few will have the greatnessto bend history itself; buteach of us can work to changea small portion of events, andin the total; of all those actswill be written the history ofthis generation.” —Robert Kennedy
1 Letter
2 Overview & History
6 Assets
7 Y&G Facts
8 Map/Region
9 Donors
13 Board/Staff
Dear Friends and Stakeholders,
We are proud of the accomplishments of California YMCA Youth & Government (“Y&G”) during the 2015-2016 fiscal year under the leadership of our Board of Directors and Core Staff. In addition, there were countless individuals who gave their time, talent and treasure to assist the organization in reaching its programmatic and financial goals.
• A record high attendance in our MLC program, totaling more than 3,500 high school students.
• Our Model United Nations middle school program also experienced a significant increase, reaching close to 900 participants.
• Our Annual Support Campaign generated more than $250,000 through the efforts of our dedicated campaigners and volunteer campaign committee.
• Core Staff and a dedicated event committee hosted a fundraising gala to honor former Y&G delegate and Senate Pro-Tem Darrell Steinberg, generating $140,000 for our Endowment Fund.
California YMCA Youth & Government remains the premier provider of civic engagement and leadership development for youth throughout our state as a result of the hard work of our dedicated volunteers and program staff and as a result of the generosity of our donors. Our programs embody the YMCA’s cause-driven focus on youth development and social responsibility by providing our delegates with the skills to find their voice and create change in our communities.
As we closed the program year on the 68th Model Legislature & Court and the 15th Model United Nations, we assessed the needs of the organization for the coming year. The following includes just a few of the changes that have already taken place and will continue to be a focus throughout the year:
• Brand Awareness. We are working to spread our message so that we can increase the number of youth that we serve throughout the state. To that end, we have developed new collateral material and new Y&G Website to expand awareness for our organization. Our statewide awareness campaign, “#BeTheChange” is supported by the efforts of our corporate partners, Keenan & Associates, Taber Creative, KCOMM and Ootem.
• Fundraising Capacity. We will seek to increase and diversify our fundraising capacity by expanding our corporate partnership program, expanding our grant initiatives, and increasing our endowment fundraising efforts. In addition, we will seek to further engage our Alumni by launching a new Alumni Association and promoting our participation in both “Giving Tuesday” and the “Big Day of Giving” Campaigns. These efforts will enable us to offer additional financial support to current and new program participants, particularly those in underserved communities.
• Staff Expansion & Realignment. We have expanded our Core Staff to 11 dedicated business professionals who are committed to supporting our organization as we continue to deliver high-quality programming. This expansion and realignment will ensure efficient skill set and resource utilization are in place.
We look forward to helping shape what lies ahead for California YMCA Youth & Government and those we serve. Thank you for your commitment to our mission.
Brian Saenger Debbie Gabelich Chairman President/CEO Board of Directors
2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 6 A N N U A L R E P O R T
1
OVERVIEWSince 1948, California YMCA Youth & Government has provided outstanding statewide educational
and social experiences for close to 100,000 middle and high school youth. The mission of California
YMCA Youth & Government is inspire young people to become committed leaders by providing
them with the platform to find their voices and to learn how to use them to foster positive change
now, and as they transition into college and beyond.
HISTORY
In the mid 1930’s, Clement “Pete” Duran, a YMCA Director from Albany, New York sought to create
a meaningful experience for young people that might inspire them to become concerned citizens
and active participants in government. He struck upon the idea of a “model” legislature that would
provide “hands-on” learning. With encouragement from the National YMCA, the program spread
rapidly to nearby states.
The California YMCA Y&G received immediate encouragement from then-Governor,
Earl Warren. From that point forward, California YMCA Y&G has received the full support of
every California Governor.
In 2001, California YMCA Y&G was chartered as an independent YMCA organization responsible
for statewide education and civic engagement programs for middle and high school students.
Y&G programming not only continues to provide outstanding experiences through specialized
programs, but also offers the opportunity for youth to find their voice and encourages them to
become involved in making a difference in their communities and beyond.
2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 6 A N N U A L R E P O R T
2
BEN DRISCOLL59th Lieutenant Governor
In 2004, Ben Driscoll entered Youth & Government as a member of the
El Dorado Hills delegation. He was selected by his group to speak in favor of
their legislation mandating minimum limits of distance away from abortion
providers for protesters. Ben describes this as his first key moment in Y&G.
“Speaking for the first time in front of several hundred people and seeing
the crowd respond to my arguments. That’s when I began to fall in love with
legislation and the law.” During his junior year, Ben broadened his exposure
by participating in the court program, and in his senior year was elected
Youth & Government’s 59th Lieutenant Governor. As Ben described that
experience, “Becoming the Lieutenant Governor, sitting in the presiding seat - nothing is much
cooler than that for a senior in high school that is interested in politics.”
In 2007, Ben attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied both Political and
Environmental Science. During his freshman year he also served as an Intern for Y&G. Throughout
his time at Berkeley, Ben stayed involved in politics, including interning for State Senator Loni
Hancock. He went on to the University of Pennsylvania to earn his law degree. During his last year
of law school, Ben spent half of his time in class and the other half in Washington, D.C., interning
first for Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, and then with Senator Carl Levin of Michigan.
After earning his law degree, Ben began a Fellowship with Senator Amy Klobuchar. That turned
into a full-time position and Ben is now her Legislative Aide for Judiciary and Foreign Affairs.
A recent highlight for Ben was when he took the California bar exam in the Sacramento Convention
Center, the same place he fell in love with politics and the law while participating in Y&G many
years before.
Ben credits the Youth & Government program for helping him learn how important it was to
take the time to fully embrace the opportunities he experienced. “Y&G is a place where you
don’t have to worry about being cool. You can find issues you really care about. You throw
yourself into it and pretend like it’s real. You treat it as an opportunity to see how things really
are done.”
3
2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 6 A N N U A L R E P O R T
TRAYVOND JACOBSCONA President, 45th Youth Governor
Trayvond Jacobs was recruited into Youth & Government in 1990, by long-
time volunteer Advisor Oscar Cosby, while playing basketball with a group of
friends. Oscar approached the group, inviting them to a meeting that would
offer them the opportunity to learn about state government. Trayvond was
the only one of the group to show up at the meeting.
As a member of the Weingart-Urban delegation in Los Angeles during
his sophomore year, Trayvond participated in the media program. As a
junior, Trayvond moved into the court program and was elected by his
fellow delegates, to serve as the 45th Youth Governor.
While attending El Camino Community College following his graduation, Trayvond was extended
a hardship exemption, and in turn, served as an advisor for the Weingart-Urban delegation for
the next six years. Soon after, he accepted a position in American Communications in Africa,
working in Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Tunisia. Eventually, Trayvond was recruited to re-
join the YMCA movement in Dayton, Ohio, working for the West Community YMCA building both
teen programs and the Black Achievers program. He was recognized for his achievements and
became the first African-American Executive Director of the Emerson YMCA, in Ferguson, MO.
Trayvond is currently the CEO of Youth Achiever’s Foundation in St. Louis, running numerous
programs that include youth camps and a Missouri Youth & Government delegation.
In speaking with Trayvond about his time with Y&G, he shared, “Youth & Government had a pro-
found impact on my sense of extended family. I now believe that I can and should play a role in
my community. I don’t think I would have ever felt that way if I had not been involved in Youth &
Government. My expectations of what impact I could have, has definitely been driven by Y&G.”
Trayvond continued, “Helping hundreds of kids from Gardena, Carson and Compton be able to
experience the program was my way of paying it forward.”
2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 6 A N N U A L R E P O R T
4
ALAN WEILSpeaker of the Assembly, 32nd Youth Governor
Alan Weil joined his Youth & Government delegation at the Berkeley YMCA
in 1977. Having moved frequently while growing up, the YMCA and Youth &
Government offered him a sense of community. Alan joined Y&G his sophomore
year in high school, and by his junior year he was elected as the Speaker of the
Assembly. In 1980, as a senior, Alan was elected as California YMCA Youth &
Government’s 32nd Youth Governor.
After graduating from high school, Alan attended the University of California,
Berkeley. He earned degrees in both Economics and Political Science, during
which time he also volunteered as an Advisor for the West Contra Costa YMCA delegation. After
graduating from Berkeley, Alan pursued further study at Harvard where he entered a unique
four-year program simultaneously earning a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a master’s
degree from the Kennedy School of Government.
Following graduation, Alan worked for the administration for Governor Michael Dukakis, where
he became involved in health care. He next worked for Governor Roy Romer, holding a cabinet
position as executive director of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.
Eventually Alan found his way to Washington, D.C. working as Director of Assessing the New
Federalism at the Urban Institute, one of the largest privately funded social policy research
projects ever undertaken in the United States. Currently, he is Editor-in-Chief at Health Affairs,
a multidisciplinary peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the serious exploration of domestic and
international health policy and system change.
In recalling his time in Youth & Government, Alan said, “What stands out the most is that I was
always interested in government and laws, but in Y&G there was a reality to it. The dynamics. The
breadth of topics. Working with other people and doing the research together so that you could
make a case. Influencing others. That brought it to life for me in a way that you don’t find in a
class or reading the newspaper. And of course, being elected Youth Governor instilled confidence.
I formed enduring relationships in Y&G that that allowed me to become part of communities in my
adulthood, that I would never have had the opportunity to be part of.”
2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 6 A N N U A L R E P O R T
5
FINANCIAL REPORT
2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 6 A N N U A L R E P O R T
6
PermanentlyRevenues, Gains and other Support Unrestricted Restricted Total
Contributions $ 251,953.01 $ 0.00 $ 251,953.01
Corporate Contributions 33,235.64 – 33,235.64
Grants/Foundations 52,715.00 – 52,715.00
In-kind Services 89,000.00 – 89,000.00
Program Revenue 3,485,618.33 – 3,485,618.33
Special Events (Net) 137,000.00 40,000.00 177,000.00
Investment Return 232.62 – 232.62
Misc. Revenue 24,250.00 – 24,250.00
Net assets released from endowment 85,000.00 -85,000.00 0.00
NSF Fee Income 0.00 0.00 0.00
Endowment Earnings 0.00 0.00 0.00
Endowment unrealized gain/loss 0.00 -62,629.49 -62,629.49
Total Revenues, Gains and other Support $4,159,004.60 $-107,629.49 $ 4,051,375.11
Expenses
Educational Programs $ 3,111,847.00 – –
Administrative and General 454,660.44 – –
Fundraising 222,330.22 – –
Total Expenses $2,543,427.08 $ 0.00 $2,543,427.08
Change in unrestricted net assets $ 600,749.12 $ 59,639.49 $ 541,109.63
At the beginning of the year $ 511,325.99 $2,035,881.96 $ 2,547,207.95
Net Assets at the end of the year $ 1,112,075.11 $ 1,976,242.47 $ 3,088,317.58
California YMCA Youth & Government carries out it’s mission with a variety of resources: Contributions, Grants, Endowment Fund Earnings and Program Fees. It is our practice to use contributed support to help keep all program fees as low as possible, and to provide specific financial assistance to delegations with additional needs. We conduct our programs with an exemplary number of volunteers, which keeps our salary expenses low. We work to keep Administrative and Fundraising costs low as well, continuing the philosophy of directing fees and contributions to program services.
A few financial highlights include:
• Administrative and Fundraising expenses combined are only 18% of the overall expenses.
• Awarded close to $180,000 in Direct Financial Assistance to delegations.
• Added over $326,000 to total net assets in the 2015/2016 fiscal year.
STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES (Year ended June 30, 2016)
Programing—82%
Fundraising—12%
Administration—6%
68th Model Legislature & Court
Hispanic 14.27%
Asian/PacificIslander12.53%
Other 18.08%
Multi-racial 6.49%
African-American
3.50%
Caucasian45.13%
15th Model United Nations
Female47.30% Male
52.70%
Female57.74%
Male42.26%
Other 7.30%
Hispanic 9.73%
Multi-racial 8.51%
Caucasian41.48%
Asian/PacificIslander 27.43%
African-American5.50%
2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 6 A N N U A L R E P O R T
7
Y&G FACTS
California YMCA Youth & Government serves over 3,500 high school and
close to 900 middle school students statewide.
California YMCA Youth & Government was honored by the White House in 2013 as a CHAMPION OF CHANGE because of the program’s successful work in youth development.
Students who join Youth & Government
are 88% more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Youth & Government alumni are 30% more likely to register to vote.
Last year student delegates in the state of California received scholarships totaling $140,000.
2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 6 A N N U A L R E P O R T
MUN
117NORTHERN
MLC
776NORTHERN
MUN
83CENTRAL
MLC
132CENTRAL
MUN
414METRO L.A.
MLC
1,387METRO L.A.
MUN
95SOUTHERN
MLC
1,199SOUTHERN
MUN
31GREATER
SAN DIEGO
MLC
151GREATER
SAN DIEGO
CALIFORNIA YMCA YOUTH & GOVERNMENT PARTICIPANTS BY REGION
MLC—Model Legislature & Court MUN—Model United Nations
8
2015-2016 DONOR LIST
PLATINUM FOUNDER GIFTS OF $20,000+
Irvin C. Chapman Foundation
Classique Catering
Fresno Convention Center
Keenan & Associates
Sacramento Convention Center
The Pipkin Foundation
DIAMOND FOUNDER GIFTS OF $10,000-$19,999
Third Ear Sound
Sheraton Gateway LAX
Sight & Sound Audiovisual, Inc.
GOLD FOUNDER GIFTS OF $5,000-$9,999
Arnold Alvarez-Glasman
Brian Birkett
Dustin Buss
Fresno Convention & Visitors Bureau
Steve & Debbie Gabelich
Hanson McClain
Cherie Harrison
Hyatt Regency Sacramento
Alex Mircheff
NCDM Class of 2016
Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau
Walmart Stores, Inc.
YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles
EMERALD FOUNDER GIFTS OF $2,500-$4,999
Waheed Baqai
Michelle Benham
Janine Vivienne Bera
DLA Piper, LLC
Johnjay Edell
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Scott & Valerie Hanson
Alan Hostrup
Intel, Inc. for Coby White
Veronica Rodarte
Nadya Scott
Taylor & Suzanne Scott
The Saenger Family
Andrew Urushima
Daniel Walker
Wilmor & Sons Plumbing
YMCA of the Central Bay Area
Ed Taniguchi
Marshall Taylor
The Shipley Family
Union Bank
Westside Family YMCA
John Whitaker
Whombo, Inc.
YMCA Orange County Association
YMCA of the Foothills
BENEFACTOR GIFTS OF $500-$999
Deb Kelly & Roger Avedon
Martha Alvarez
AstroJump
Daisy Baby
Cathy Barankin
John Biedebach
Yvonne Bogdanovich
Borrow Lenses
Thomas Burke
Rodolfo Davidson
JP, Kristin & Albert Decall
Kim Delgado
Alison & Anthony Dobay
Joseph Gabriel
Nicolas Gardner
Christopher Andrew Gibson
Kimberly Harbison
Patrick Harbison
Gordon & Marjorie Hart
Cathy Hession
Kayla & Jake Hunnewell
Ideate, Inc.
In Memory of Frank Catanho
Micah Jacobson
Kathy Catanho & David Eakin
for Bud Hoffman
Richard Kolomejec
Mario Lafaurie
Christy & David Lundy
Jennifer Manuel
Sue & Joe Marasco
Don & Annamarie McCowan
Helen Nusbaum & Steven Meinrath
Katherine Movalson
Ryan & Shara Murphy
Mike Nakawatase
Bryan Nogucchi & Emily Noh
Bill & Laura Olhasso
Terry Palhidai
Pardini’s
The Prouhet Family
Peter & Melinda Riechert
RUBY FOUNDER GIFTS OF
$1,500-$2,499
Anaheim Family YMCA
Channel Islands YMCA
Bradley Chin
Sal Cisneros
City of Fresno
Color Labs, Inc.
COMMLine, Inc.
Tim & Karen Crawford
Patricia de Felice
Direct Connect Charter
Tim & Kelli Fuller
Eric Guerra
Paul & Heather Haaga
Mark Helm
In Memory of Michael White
James Looney
Jeff Maier
Old Tyme Kettle Corn
Jackie Parks
Caitlin Scott
Jordan Scott
Sean Minor Wines
Silicon Valley YMCA
Sterling Transportation
Bob Warnock
SILVER FOUNDER GIFTS OF $1,000-$1,499
Paul Andresen
Big Hairy Dog Information
Systems, Inc.
Kristen L. Buppert
Carol & James Collins
Foundation
Bryan & Marlena Cook
Donahue Shriber
Scott Hanson
Bethany Herwegh
Richard Hsu
IBEW Local 340
KCOMM
Labuda Foundation
Bridgette McCown
David & Joyce Mercer
Michael Arnold & Associates
Dayton Nakahara
Paul & Diane Netzel
Jon Edward Palmer
Sandy & Pamela Ryan
Victor & Jilla Rodarte
Leon Saliba
Tom & Betty Saliba
Michael Scott
Oren Rothenberg
Sacramento Masonic Temple
Sameera Sani
Santa Maria Valley YMCA
Santa Monica Family YMCA
Richard & Maria Sears
Bud & Pam Sheble
LeRoy Simmons
Jozelle Smith
Mary & Richard Stone
The Lancey Family
The McClain Family
The Setzer Foundation
The Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust
David Tierney
Rowan Wilson
Randall Winston
Dave Wright
SPONSOR GIFTS OF $250-$499
Paul Altieri
Richard Amerian
Larry & Erlene Benevento
Bitglass, Inc.
Dean & Catherine Borg
Sue Bost
Laurie Braly
Lynn Bride
Adrian Brown
Missy Brunetta
Ms. Darcie Burk
Linda Burns
Craig & Rosemary Canfield
Sara Carroll
Chris Ceballos
Lucero Chavez
Katie Clancy
Brad Cohen
Benjamin Coombs-Perez
Ruben Corona
Marissa Cowan
Gretchen Craford
Dalby Wyant Law Firm
Rebecca Baumann & Dan McVeigh
Michael DeCarlo
Betty Ann Downing
Steve & Lori Drengson
Niloo El-Maissi
Lisa Engelken
Paula Falsetta
Fabian & Lauren Fierro
Brandon Fischer
Patricia Ford
2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 6 A N N U A L R E P O R T
California YMCA Youth & Government, its Board of Directors, volunteer staff, youth participants
and core staff wish to thank all donors for their generous support during the 2015-2016
fiscal year.*
9
2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 6 A N N U A L R E P O R T
Karl Frisch
Addison Gabelich
Alexander Gabelich
Marilyn Glick
Ellen Gray
Jon Greenbaum
The Greer Family
Alex Hachigian
Ray & Theresa Hamel
Intissar Hanouneh
Blake Hanson
Ralph & Carol Hansen
Diane & Tom Hofsommer
In Honor of 1972-73 Santa Barbara YMCA
Mari Snyder Johnson
Scott Layne
Steve & Sheryl Leichenger
Danny Levy
Mark Linscomb
Kelly Lockett
Vahan Manoogian
Debbie & Paul Markos
Boyd Martin
Michael May
Sabrina McDaniel
Mr. Trevor Michels, Esq.
Stephanie Morimoto
Andrea Mullarkey
Steven Novak
OkiDoki Dining Corporation
Allan Paine
Newport Beach Community
Marshall & Judy Pike
Mike Garcia
CENTURY GIFTS OF $100-$249
Pamela Rector
Andi Brukman Redecker
Paul Reisz
Relenz, LLC
Miss Lovedeep K. Sahota
Cathy Saliba
Mike & Cathy Saliba
Ann Samson
Santa Ynez Elite Rentals
Irwin & Carol Scott
William Sheats
Torie Steele
Fred & Sally Stickney
Supinger Strategies, Inc.
Super Shuttle
The Lizer Family
Steve & Cheryl Thomas
Marianne Tipton
David Titus
Alfredo Velasco
Sean Walsh
Dwayne White
Bob & Pat Wrenn
Parsa Yazdi
YMCA of the Desert
Stephanie Younger
Your Oaks Christian Fans
Roxann Zarchin
Andrea Abrahams
Jeff Alexander
Linda Alger
Ben Allen
Mr. Paul Lawrence Alpern
Muhammad & Rozmeen Amirali
Carol Arnold
Richard Asher
John & Laurel Ayoob
Michelle Bader
Carol Baer
Kim Bailey
Dave & Sue Baker
Casey Banks
Kathy Bari
Morgan Bauer & Christine Foster
Jena Baughman
Susie & Dan Berry
Melissa Bettis
Charlie & Tracy Biltz
Lisa Black
Amanda Blackwood
Andrew J. Blumenfeld
James & Jackie Bodnar
Heather & Louie Bogdanovich
Ken Bossing
Michele Breslauer
Jim Brooks
Courtney Brousseau
Art Brown
Barbara Brown
Joan Buchanan
Steven Burgess
Jean Burroughs
Bonnie Pierone
Brenda Burt
Brenda Butler
David & Sally Cardenas
Becca Carrizosa
Bria Cartwright
Karen Cavarozzi & Family
Lynne Caver
Craig Cerro
Marty & Tereza Chandler
Bill Chen
Patricia Chiu
Leah Griffin & Cindy Hicks
Janice E. Clark
Lynn Clark
Cleveland HS Students
Lauren Colton
Corona-Norco Family YMCA
Cox Communications
Ms. Carol Craford
Coach Boz
Dennis & Peggy Croxen
Nathan Dahl
Jim & Trish David
Colin Davidson
Miss Shannon Davidson
Shawn Sanbar
Sebastian de la Rosa
Joann Delgado
Demetri
Donald Ayoob & Dru Devlin
Jolene Dougherty
Ralph & Marilyn Drengson
DVB
Kristy Dwyer
East Bay Community
Foundation
Ms. Cristina Echiverri
Audrie & Jeremy Echnoz
Rob & Meg Ervais
Joseph Eustermann
Karen Fairty
Chen Family
Susan Fletcher
Mimi & Sal Flores
Eleanor & Herbert Foerster
Butch Ford
Brett Foster
Rebecca Foust
Sean Fox
Frazier College Admissions Counseling, Geri Frazier
Kent & Judy Frewing
Marilyn Fuller
Ryan Gales
Mike Garcia
Tom & Judy Garey
G. Phanendra Babu
Chad Gasman
Mike Gates
Brandon
Larry & Carolyn Giacalone
Dora Gil-Rodriguez
Rich Good
Lou Goodman
Julie Goulart
Grandpa & Grandma Vincent
Jason Hagensick
Chris Hansen
Harbilas
Deidre Harvego
Byron & DeAnne Hayes
Dr. & Mrs. Michelle Heckle
Ms. Christina Herinckx
Alison Hostrup
Shelley Hultine-Smith
Kathryn Iannucci
Jake & Joan Jakubowski
Frank, Lori & Matt Jarmacz
Jim / DGP, Inc.
Reyn Blight & Joanne Saliba
Renee Jones
Sanam Jorjani
Darren
Mr. Jack Kane
Charles, Isabel & Zander Kaplan
Debbie Karaman
David Keller & Karen Martin
Mary J. Kelly
Ms. Julia A. Khan
Kim Family
Tae Jun Kim
Mary Kirlin
Simone Kleinert
Heather & Jon Kline
Bev Klocki
Ernie Knapp
Robert Koshimizu
Shelly Kurtz
Rebecca Kutzer
Lori LaBruna
Robert Laird III
Ms. Jennifer Lamkins
Kristen Lau
Cindy Leong & Michael Lim
Lexa Jean Most & Martin Mieger
Dorothy Lindner
Miyoko Linscomb
Dana Liston
Kim Lockett
Suzette Lovely
Lyon’s Orthodontics
Marc & Mandy Maister
Maltzan Family
John Lindner & Mark Perry
Juliet Markowitz
Hank Marsh
Judy & Mace Mavroleon
Alex McDavid
Virginia McKone
Kirsten & Chase McLaughlin
Mary McVeigh
Ms. Nancy Ann Melton
Jasmine Menard
Tony & Marilda Mendes
John Merry
Charles Merz
Emily Michael
Jennifer Kleinert
Kami Molin
Lisa Morrison
Virginia Mullen
Suzanne Murillo
Matt
Joe Naylor
Mr. Adam Jason Newman
Kelly Nick
Jennifer Novak
Ken & Karen Nycum
Beth Olhasso
Lori Onderwyzer
Ms. Karen Osborne
Matthew Ott
Kari Parks
Paul Chiu, Glen Chew
Max Pedrotti
Ron & Helen Perry
Sangeeth Peruri
Ted & Nadine Pflueger
Sally Pierone
DONORS (continued)
10
Michelle Wrenn BenhamYouth Governor’s Cabinet, Y&G Board of Directors
To say that Michelle Wrenn Benham has done it all in Youth & Government is almost an under-statement. Her first experience with Y&G was
at Tri-Counties, a precedent of our current Training & Elections I conference, where she was part of the media program. During her time in Youth & Government she was also named Sgt.-at-Arms and Senate Committee Chair, and in her senior year, Michelle served on the Youth Governor’s Cabinet. She says, “Y&G opened my eyes beyond my community. It got me thinking and talking about local, national and international issues. I gained the confidence to speak in front of large groups, where I learned to think before I spoke. I still use that tool to this day.”
After graduating and starting college at UCLA, Michelle was recruited to back to Y&G to volunteer. Soon after, she began advising a dele-gation first at the South Pasadena-San Marino YMCA, and then the Beverly Hills YMCA. She later started a new delegation at the South Coast YMCA. “My time in Y&G as a delegate made me want to give back, to spend time with kids to help them find their passion, as I had found mine”, Michelle shared.
While advising, Michelle also starting helped with the press program and then served as a committee advisor, eventually running that pro-gram. She credits that program with helping her get a job in the school district where she still works today. During an interview with the selection committee, one of the interviewer noted Michelle’s involve-ment in Y&G. The woman shared that her son had been in Y&G and it had completely changed his life. It turned out that Michelle had been her son’s committee advisor.
Michelle joined the Youth & Government Board of Directors in 2002. She currently serves on the Internal Affairs committee and is actively involved with the creation of the new strategic plan.
“To stand and give a speech in the Senate chambers is not something that most people will ever have the opportunity to do. The memory and confidence gained will never go away. It made me realize I can do more every day. If you see something that needs to be changed, you can find a way to change it.” Michelle continued, “When you do some-thing that you know really matters, there’s nothing better than that. Y&G gave me that opportunity.”
Jaime Piscione
Doug & Jackie Price
Primuths
Norah Prouhet
Calvin Quach
Laura Reed
Jeff Rekers
Doug & Gene Reinhardt
Mark & Brynn Reinhardt
Ricciardullis
JM Rindner
Vivian Rodarte
Walter & Sheila Roth
Steve Roth
Mr. Ronald Rowe
San Luis Obispo County YMCA
Jessica Saucedo
Mary Saucedo
Martha T. Schuur
Stephen & Gloria Seiff
Emebeth Selassie
Chris Senti
Tyler & Yazmin Sheble
Diana Shepherd
Marisa Shipley
Erika Siao
Lisa Simmons
Eric Sloane
Gloria Seiff
Kenneth Smith
Kyle Smith
Sherine Smith
Soman, Duvvuri, Rao, Soman & Dwivedi Families
Speech & Debater Katie
Billie M. Spinat
SPPY-WY Wilmington
James Stark
Michael Stern
Sophie, Micki & Sean Stern
Jason Straw
Norm & Shari Stump
Jennifer Sullivan
Stim & Betty Suzuki
Michele Taber
Cathy Tang
Matthew Tassell
Laura Tenner
Cindi Tenney
Sandy Tenney
The Calderon Family
The Fagan Family
The Osorio Family
The Perry Family
The Ragusa Family
The Sharpe Family
The Wilhelmy Family
Dave Thornton
Thurman Legal
Tidwell & Associates
W. David Tierney
Nancy & Jack Tillman
Tom & Renee Tolliver
Richard Torres
Marsha Wietecha
Dewi Wilson
Rocky Wilson
Barbara Wolleck
YMCA of Glendale
YMCA of Pomona Valley
Wendy Towns
Uncle Mike
Jeff & Erika VanDam
Pat Verducci & Ryan Rowe
Saileel Vijaykar
Michele Waxman
YMCA of West San Gabriel Valley
Katherine Yoshii
Jessi Brown
Irene Zacharz
Andrew Zearbaugh
2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 6 A N N U A L R E P O R T
11
*The donors and levels reflected represent both monetary and in-kind donations of $100.00+ made during the 2015-2016 fiscal year. A full list of donors can be found on calymca.org.
2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 6 A N N U A L R E P O R T
12
SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO DARRELL STEINBERG
Darrell Steinberg has been part of the California YMCA Youth & Government family for more than four decades. He began his journey with the Y&G family as a delegate in the program during his high school years.
Although Darrell Steinberg’s career escalated through several levels of the political arena, from Sacramento City Councilmember to 49th President Pro Tem of the California State Senate, he never forgot his time in the California YMCA Youth & Government program. When asked to serve on the Legislative Advisory Council for Youth & Government he enthusiastically agreed and did so for many years to come, even serving as Council Chair. He has dedicated countless hours speaking to thousands of teen delegates that have participated
in our Model Legislature & Court program, encouraging each to fulfill their dreams and strive for a brighter future.
Darrell Steinberg’s passion for the program that spurred his passion for a life of Civil Service has never wavered. We thank and honor him for his decades of support and dedication to our state’s youth.
2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 6 A N N U A L R E P O R T
13
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
STAFF
Brian Saenger Board Chair The Ratkovich Company
Waheed Baqai Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville
Cathy Barankin Capitol Advocacy
Michelle Benahm Capistrano Unified School District
Brian Birkett Governance Chair LeanData
Dustin Buss External Affairs Chair HsuBu Consulting Group
Sal Cisneros Channel Islands YMCA
Tim Crawford Keenan & Associates
Debbie Gabelich President/CEO
Jena Baughman Office Manager
Linda Burns Fund Development Administrator
Richard HsuDirector of Event Operations
Marty Garcia-CotterVolunteer & Alumni Relations Manager
Jeff MaierLogistics & Risk Manager
Summer PettekCommunication & Outreach Specialist
Meghann PopovichAdministrator
Jennifer ProuhetSr. Director, Marketing & Business Development
Regan SmurthwaiteProgram Support Coordinator
Anthony VolkarSr. Director, Program Services
Samantha Donaghey Youth Board Member
Debbie Gabelich President California YMCA Youth & Government
Acacia Gabriel Youth Board Member
Alan Hostrup YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles
Alex Mircheff Internal Affairs Chair Gibson Dunn & Crutcher
Allan Paine Tech Life, Inc.
Aaron Rios Walmart Stores, Inc.
Nate Rowe Youth Board Member
Sandy Ryan Houlihan Lokey
Cathy Saliba Nonprofilt Fundraising Consultant
Taylor Scott Financial Management Consultant
Ariana Trujillo 69th Youth Governor
Alfredo Velasco YMCA of Greater Long Beach
Victoria Vera Youth Board Member