Chicago Politics

YMCA Partnership Announcement 6.3.26

Legislation

Description

Mayor Brandon Johnson makes YMCA partnership announcement.

Transcript

1:03 all the women, Jeanette Taylor, and I represent the 20th Ward. You are in beautiful wood line. And so this part of the ward actually belongs to Desmond Yancey, who is now giving a commencement speak at a graduation. And so I am standing in on his behalf. We're at a space in the city of Chicago where our young people deserve for us to stand up for them and love on them and do right by them. And so today we're having a conversation about the team takeovers, but also about our young people knowing that you are loved. We care for you. We know that across the street at Hyde

1:38 Park High School, we lost a young person and another young person got shot. And we don't want those young people to think that we have forgotten about them. And so as the city of Chicago, we stay here today in solidarity, along with the beautiful YMCA, to say this is how we stand up for young people. Y'all know what the problem is, right? They are organizing us. They are really are out organizing us and so it is our duty and our job to get together and organize with them make sure they know what the city has access to make sure that we provide safe space for them

2:11 but also make sure that the adults that they respect and they love are in their spaces and so it is my pleasure to introduce mr mcgowan you know it's just got mcgowan up here so i don't really not. Good morning everyone. Welcome to the Southside YMCA and I want to thank Alderman Taylor today for supporting our mission to support and help Chicago youth. My name is Kevin McGowan. I'm

2:42 the Senior Executive Director for Southside YMCA. On behalf of our entire staff, our members and individuals and families we serve every day, thank you for being here. And thank you Mayor Johnson for joining us this morning for an announcement that means a great deal to this community. This building has been a cornerstone of the Southside since 1990, but the YMCA has been a cornerstone of the Southside for much longer. For generations, families in Hyde Park, Woodline, and surrounding neighborhoods have walked through these doors looking for something, a healthy place,

3:13 a safe place after school, a swimming lesson, or a friendly face that knows your name. For 36 years, the Y has been that place here at Southside YMCA. We know this neighborhood, we know its strengths, its resilience, and its young people. We also know that summer can be a challenging time, that when school lets out and structures and safe spaces that kids count on don't always follow them into July and August. That's a challenge we take personally here, because these are our kids and this is our community.

3:45 That's why today's announcement matters so much to us. Starting June 8th, that is next Monday, Chicago teenagers ages 12 to 18 can get a free membership and walk through these doors and the doors of six other. So let me say that again. Starting next Monday, June 8th, because, you know, tomorrow is their last day of school. They could walk through these doors and the doors of six other Chicago area YMCA's for free all summer.

4:18 so this is for chicago teenagers ages 12 through 18 there are no fees no barriers in addition to our existing pain members who are in this age range they'll get these two months free as well and what's true of south side ymca is true of everyone in the city at kelly hall on the west side our at rauner family and pilsen at irving park on the northwest side at mccormick and Humboldt Park at Lakeview

4:51 and our newest location in Sankofa in West Garfield Park each of these buildings is what this one is, an anchor a place for the Neighborhood. A place where the neighborhood shows up and the neighborhood is welcome. The place that belongs to the community it serves. Together, our seven YMCA's reach every corner of Chicago, and this summer they will belong to every teenager in the city. I want to thank Adam Alonzo and the entire YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago staff and board for making this possible, and Mayor Johnson for his partnership and his commitment to Chicago's young people.

5:25 Thank you all so much for being here and for supporting Chicago's youth. And now I would like to introduce our CEO and president, Adam Alonzo, who was instrumental in making our teen summer program happen. Adam. Good morning, everybody. Let the sirens go.

6:07 Okay. After? Yeah. Oh, that's right. From time. I'm sorry, Jake. So you want me to introduce him to have him come up now? Great. Maurice Allen, I'd love for you to come up, a YMCA member and a young person who's here to share a few of his thoughts. Come on up. Good morning. Thank you for the introduction, Adam, and for giving me the opportunity today to speak with you.

6:42 My name is Maurice Allen. I'm 18 years old, and I've been coming to the YMCA since my freshman year, four years ago. I started because I love sports, all sports, but what kept me coming back was everything else. The team programs, the people, my friends are there. We sign in, we go downstairs, we play basketball, we work out, we hang out. It became my place. I'm at the Y every day after school. The Get Summer program they're announcing today matters because not every kid can afford a gym membership or access to the kinds of programs the Y offers.

7:13 Kids from all different backgrounds, all different situations, this gives them a way in. And once you walk through those doors, there's a lot waiting for you. The Y's team program changed my life when I first started. I wasn't very social, but the program helped me out, helped me come out of my shell. I made real friends. We went to the movies together. We even ran a marathon, a shorter version, just for fun, and got a Nike gear for it. Big day.

7:44 But it went beyond that. The Y helped me get my Social Security card. They helped me prepare for a job interview at Wendy's, and I got the job. They arranged my transportation to get there. Now they're helping me learn how to drive. Whatever you need, they find a way to help help make it happen. I want to thank Mayor Johnson for supporting me, for supporting this program and for investing in young people in this city.

8:14 And I want to say to any teen out there who's thinking about it, just come. You don't have you don't have to have it all figured out. Step through the wise doors and see what's there for you. It was there for me. And now I get to and now I get to introduce our next speaker, president of the YMCA Chicago, Adam Alonzo. Thank you, Maurice. Our young people and a role model, you heard from Maurice what's needed, why it's important. I spent 30 years of my career working in the city of Chicago. I love the city.

8:58 um i can't believe i've been here 30 years doing work with youth services wow it's been that long um but the thing i'm always most impressed with is our young people their resilience their ability to show up beat adversity be creative be determined and that's why we owe them every single thing that we have to offer and that's what today is about we exist as a ymca to strengthen community by connecting people to their purpose or potential and of course to each other. Those

9:29 are not just words that's the lens that we use when we're making decisions about where we invest what programs we run who we serve and how we serve them. Every young person matters and it's certainly a conviction that I and the YMCA uphold every single day. Regardless of their zip code or their family's income, they deserve access to the resources, the relationships, and the spaces that help them grow. What I've learned is that barriers between young people and their potential

10:00 Sometimes they're a bit smaller than we think. Sometimes the barrier is a fee. Sometimes it's simply not knowing that there's a door open for them. Our job, my job, is to remove those barriers and make sure they have access to our facilities. And as you heard, Kevin announced Get Summer Program. We're excited to launch that today. From June 8th through August 31st, every Chicago teenager, 12 years old to 18, can walk into any YMCA in the city, sign up for a free membership, use our fitness centers, our pools, our gyms, our fields, completely free of charge.

10:41 Seven locations across our great city all summer long. I know we talk a lot about teen takeovers, and what I want to talk about, though, is teen opportunity and teen safe spaces. That should be our narrative. Not everything that's wrong, not everything that's broken, but what's right, what's available to our young people. Let them have hope, inspiration, meet and connect with people inside the Y who are there for them. So we're doing this because summer matters.

11:14 I've spent, as I said, almost 30 years in the field doing youth work, and I know how important summer is. It could be a make or break for our young people. And this summer, the Y is going to make sure it's a make opportunity for them, opening our doors, welcoming them in, making sure they feel connected, and thinking about what else their needs are that we can meet. We have a responsibility as an organization to show up in these moments, not just for families who can afford a membership, but for every single person and for every young

11:45 person. So it's our hope that as many as 5,000 young people will take advantage of the Get Summer program. I'm excited to share this opportunity. I'm a little bit nervous as well because we've never done this. I'm going to be honest. But, you know, this is an opportunity to step into the moment and lead. I don't know what's going to happen. We might have 10,000 young people show up and sign up. That would be an amazing problem to have. So for you young people in the city,

12:18 this Y is your summer. Every opportunity that we can afford will be yours. Come in, sign up, use it, bring your friends, heck, even bring your families. This is your community too, So get summer. Thank you. And now it's my great honor to welcome Shantae Connelly, Executive Director of My Elk Cares. Shantae. Good morning. My name is Shantae Connelly and I am the Executive Director of My Elk Cares.

12:55 My Elk Cares is a foundation dedicated to championing the mental health and well-being of preteens, teenagers across the city. Founded by Melvin and Monique Rodriguez, our mission is rooted in one goal, to nurture a positive and resilient mindset for young people and ensure that they feel seen, supported, and empowered. Today, we are proud to stand alongside the YMCA to answer the call from our city leaders to invest more deeply in our youth.

13:27 Mayo Cares is also committing $250,000 to launch a Summer Youth Opportunity Fund, an initiative designed to support safe, city-aligned, and meaningful engagement opportunities created with and for our young people. This effort is intentional. It will move quickly. It will complement existing public investments and demonstrate what is possible when philanthropy and government work together.

14:01 Just last week, right across the street, students from Hyde Park Academy bravely spoke out, asking for greater investment in well-being, in their mental health, and in their future. Today, we hope this commitment serves as a glimmer of hope, proof that we hear them, we value them, and we're ready to put their knees in the center. Our foundation may be small, but we believe that moments like this called for bold action.

14:31 We see this opportunity not only to step up, but to invite others to do the same. In the coming days, we'll share more information about the Summer Youth Opportunity Fund and how it will create enriching, safe, and accessible opportunities to our young people to experience all of what our incredible city has to offer. We invite others to join us and our partners with the YMCA to invest in our future and in our students and our children and do the same.

15:03 Thank you. It is my pleasure to introduce Reese Johnson from the North Lawndale neighborhood from Good Kids, Mad City. Good morning. I am Reese Johnson from Good Kids, Mad City, and I'm also a resident of the North Lawndale neighborhood, born and raised.

15:39 This is big for the youth to have more spaces like the YMCA and opportunities like these. We talk about how can we solve teen takeovers. Well, having this opportunity is a step in the right direction. The Peace Book is all about opportunities like these and having safe spaces for the youth, and the YMCA ties all that together. This past year at Hyde Park Academy, right across the street, with Good Kids, Madison City, we have been holding safe space and places for youth to come and talk and be themselves. I personally played basketball my whole entire life, and I had gems and opportunities in my neighborhood

16:14 that made it safe and helped me build communities with my fellow youth around. Thank you. Now it is my honor to introduce someone who has seen my basketball journey and my life journey and someone who is making this opportunity happen for all the youth of Chicago. I would like to present Mayor Johnson. Yes, good. Well, good morning, everyone. Thank you, Reese. No relationship, by the way, other than I have seen him.

16:46 I was just sharing with Alderwoman Taylor. I was literally there when his parents brought him home. We attend the same church together in North Lawndale. His basketball skills are absolutely amazing. I will challenge most people to anything, but I will not challenge Reese in a game of one-on-one. And thank you, Adam, for your leadership and your commitment to youth development. Now, the good thing about Adams' leadership for the YMCA, he really developed his skills on the west side of Chicago,

17:18 which I know I'm on the south side, but just for the record here, we're all together today, Chicago. But, you know, to Kevin, your leadership, Brother McGowan, you really struck a chord in me because some of you may not know this, but before I started teaching at Jenner Academy, I was a program director for the new city YMCA in Cabrini-Green. And the YMCA, I know as the mayor of Chicago, I will always promote our park districts.

17:52 And the YMCA is a pretty dope place, you all. So I'm grateful for the YMCA team, the board of directors for this strong commitment to our communities and to our young people. And most of all, I want to thank the ongoing effort to ensure that we are all leaning in for opening up doors to Chicago's young people for this summer. Creating safe, engaging spaces for young people requires all of us, the public and private partners, community organizations, civic partners and residents all working together.

18:27 And that's why I am just so grateful for for Shantae Connelly, the Miel Foundation, a quarter of a million dollars invested in our young people. That's that's community coming together. And then if I do play a game of basketball against Reese, I'm going to have Maurice be on my team and maybe we'll have a better shot at winning. But let's give it up for Maurice. I know he had to run. Thank you, Brother Maurice. On behalf of the city of Chicago, I'm also grateful to have partners to work with.

19:01 I know Alderman Yancey was not able to be here, but I'm thankful to my sister, Alder Jeanette Taylor, for her ongoing commitment to young people as chair of youth and education development. She has really been a true champion, literally put her body and her life on the line to make sure that our young people have access to safe spaces. So thank you, Alderman Taylor. I am deeply grateful to the YMCA. Seeing the partners throughout Chicago who are investing in young people, fostering belonging, and guiding young people to opportunities.

19:33 This investment in our young people has the potential to be life-changing. As it's been stated, all seven YMCA Chicago locations, from Irving Park, Lakeview, to the south side, West Garfield Park, are participating in this program, ensuring that young people from every community can benefit. By providing Chicago teens with free access to gymnasiums, athletic turf fields, swimming pools, they might discover new passion, make new friends and find a mentor or gain confidence and a sense of belonging within the community.

20:07 That's what the YMCA is building. I did not know that you all are helping young people learn how to drive. If a brother would have known that, I would have dropped my son off a year and a half ago because I am still working hard to teach him to drive in Chicago. But as one of those positive experiences, any of them can be life-changing, and it can help develop a person's journey. And at the very least, this program ensures that our young people can have safe, joyful, and active summers because that's what young people deserve.

20:41 And furthermore, Chicago's parents and families can enjoy a sense of confidence and security, knowing that their teens are safe and active at the YMCA this summer. Today's announcement is about removing barriers and expanding opportunities for young people, ensuring that they have a welcoming space and support to keep busy and to stay safe and thrive in the summer and well beyond. It signals to our young people that we see them, that we value them, and that we're prepared to invest in them personally. And since day one, my administration has been guided by a simple belief that every young person in every single neighborhood deserves the opportunity, support and investment that's needed to thrive.

21:20 It is why we have increased our investments in young people through our Chicago Youth Works program, the city's signature summer youth employment program. We've increased it by 55 percent since taking office in 2023. The Chicago Youth Works application, it did close last week, and we look forward to connecting with approximately 29,000 young people from across the city for government, local businesses, civic institutions, and community organizations are all participating in this endeavor.

21:51 These opportunities ensure that our young people are compensated for their value. They bring to our communities so many skills. We want to make sure that we are speaking to their future. Last year, we exceeded our goal. We hired over 31,000 young people, you all. That's the largest amount of young people ever hired for paid jobs in Chicago. And additionally, the city's My Shy, My Future initiative continues to connect teens with tens of thousands of young people and opportunities for safe spaces, many of them that are planned by young people.

22:25 In 2025, the MyShi, MyFuture application featured over 37,000 opportunities for young people and over 14,000 teens attended youth planned events. And so, yeah, that's great. So when you build it, they will actually attend. And so whether it's opportunities to the city or here at the Y, we are offering our young people an opportunity to grow. And there are thousands of opportunities for children and teens to have safe and engaged places for the summer.

22:59 And finally, to all of the families and our young people, I hope that you capitalize and take advantage of the opportunities that are expanding across our city and make the most of this summer. I look forward to continuing partnerships and investments that enable young people to meet their fullest and greatest potential, and most importantly, that we keep our young people safe. I want to again thank our partners at the YMCA, thank you to Shantae, and thank you to all of the extraordinary investments that are being made in our young people.

23:30 I would just close with this. When I worked for the YMCA, I remember those summer programs and the fees for those summer programs per week. It made it hard for families, even in Cabrini-Green, to be able to participate in a Y that was in their community. And so without, you know, getting too emotional, you can't see because I have my shades on and didn't know I was going to tear up here. But, you know, where young people would come into the Y and unfortunately were not able to stay and participate in programming because their parents did not have enough to feed them and to provide opportunities for them.

24:06 And so for all of those individuals that want to point the fingers at our young people and point fingers at our families, if you do not know what it's like to wake up in Chicago and you can barely make the ends meet, then stop judging our families and stop judging our young people. Stop it. Our young people want to be held accountable, but if you can't hold them accountable to their purpose and their vision and their desire to achieve all that they can, then you are a bigger part of the problem than you are of any solution.

24:40 And so with that, someone who was also a part of the solution, I want to thank the incredible leadership at this local YMCA. And so now it is my privilege to introduce Ms. Jasmine Guy, who is the chair of the advisory council for the Southside Board. Welcome, Jasmine. Good morning. Thank you, Mayor Johnson. Thank you, Adam. Thank you, Maurice. Thank you, Reese. And a special thanks to the Marielle Foundation for supporting and continuously stepping up to support Chicago youth.

25:16 And all of this truly will make a difference. I want to also take a moment to thank every one of you who joined us this morning. To our friends in the press, thank you for helping us get this news to families and teenagers across the city of Chicago who need to hear this exciting news. To community partners, our neighbors, and everyone who came out to show their support today, your presence here means everything to us. As an FYI, there is info on our website about Get Summer at www.ymcachicago.org slash Get Summer for those who want more information.

25:59 Days like today remind me of why I'm a part of the Y family. This building, this community, this city, they are worth showing up for every single day. And knowing that this summer, potentially thousands of Chicago teenagers are going to walk through our doors and find something great waiting for them. That is a feeling I won't forget. And so to all Chicago teenagers ages 12 through 18, I say get summer.

26:35 Before we wrap up, we would love to show you around. We are proud of this facility and what it means to our neighborhood. and we want you to be able to see firsthand the spaces that Chicago teens are going to be able to use all summer long. Members of our staff are standing by to take you through the fitness center, the gym, the pool, and the rest of the building. Please take us up on it. We would love to have you. If you have any questions for me, Shanta, Kevin, or Adam, or anyone on our team, we are

27:07 available right after the tour. Thank you again for being here. And now we will have Meryl Johnson to come up to the podium for Q&A. And if you can, we would love for you to stick around for a facility tour. Everyone, good morning. Max, do you want to kick us off? Hey, Meryl Johnson. Hey, it's good to see you. Yeah, good to see you too. Can you say a little bit more about how this factors into

27:41 other citywide programs to address, say, teen trends? Yeah. And of course, what Alderwoman Taylor said about Eric Billups, who is our top priority. And it's what I think about safe and affordable communities. And, you know, every time there's a life that is impacted by gun violence, that unfortunately reverberates throughout the community. And that leaves a trail of trauma. And that's why I believe Ms. Connelly's point around ensuring that there's

28:15 mental and behavioral health support services for our families is critical. It's why I've opened up mental health clinics. It's why we've expanded the care program, crisis assistance response and engagement, so that a paid behavioral mental health crisis professional can show up to those scenes that will inevitably free up law enforcement to respond to some of the other areas of need. And, you know, as far as how this all works together, this is what I've been calling for, that it's going to take all of us.

28:50 There are 50,000 people, I believe, Kahari, applied for summer jobs again. Last year, I believe it was over 50,000 young people that applied. And as much as we've been able to break records, this notion that our young people do not want to get involved or want jobs is just not true. There's a greater demand that exists today. And we have to meet those demands. And so these partnerships with YMCA and other entities and organizations, that plays a role in creating safe spaces for young people.

29:22 It plays a role in how we reduce violence. I'll give you another example. You weren't able to attend our last press briefing, but the top four neighborhoods where young people were hired from last year, you saw a precipitous decline in violence. Rosalind had the fourth highest number of young people for summer jobs. We reduce homicides in Rosalind by 100 percent, by 100 percent. Yeah. And, you know, if the solution is bearing good fruit, then we have to continue to sow on good ground.

29:57 And I believe that when we invest in young people as a person of faith, we are living out the creed of what Jesus Christ said, that we do not reject young people. We do not turn them away. And Matthew 621 reminds us that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. And we can hold young people accountable. They want to be held accountable. But if you don't provide opportunity for young people, then you are rejecting our young people, which, again, I'm not promoting violence, but Jesus did say if you cause a young person to stumble,

30:31 you are better off tying a mallet around your neck and jumping into the ocean. And so we don't want anybody to have to do that. So in the meantime, let's just make sure that we invest in young people. Thank you. Morning, Mayor. Good morning. Just for the record, this reporter went to the YMCA and took swimming lessons in the early 70s. Oh, wow, they get out of there. All right, so check this out, Craig. You just heard Adam Alonzo. If we break the record and get more than 5,000 young people, then you and I have to become camp counselors.

31:06 I still have my YMCA T-shirts, by the way. My wife is like, you're not going to get rid of those? No, they're still in my drawer. So if you need me, Adam. In fact, I'm going to make a commitment that one of these activities, Mayor Johnson will lead a group of young people in an activity. I'm going to need your help, Luis. Now that we've kudos the YMCA, I did want to ask you about the latest person to jump into the race for mayor.

31:37 I know you're still mulling your decision, or at least publicly. Susanna Mendoza jumping in today with an announcement on video and coming up at 11 o'clock. What do you make of the way this mayoral race is shaping up as you look ahead to next February? Well, here's the good thing about Chicago. There's a mayor race every four years. So there's no breaking news there. Every four years, individuals will come before the people of this city and make their case. Here's what my focus is on. It's building the safest, most affordable big city in America.

32:10 Look, politics will have some ability to shape, you know, how our city is governed. But if you look at what I've done, a $1.25 billion investment for housing and economic development, the largest investment in the history of Chicago. Last, just yesterday, we broke ground on a brand new hospital on the south side of Chicago. That hasn't happened in 100 years, right? The red line extension, we got it done. When I leave here, I'm going to the west side. Yes, the west side. We're going to announce the 1901 project, building more affordable homes.

32:40 We're building a football stadium in the 78 where our soccer club will play. And, of course, Foundry Park is another good example of where it's set desolate for multiple administrations and there's activity that's happening there. And most importantly, we're investing in our young people. And as a result of all of these investments, no mayor in modern history can say that they oversaw the city of Chicago at the height of economic development and activity where more people are visiting our city than any other time in the history of Chicago, and we've just experienced a 60-year low in homicides.

33:12 That's the work that we're doing. I'm going to continue to concentrate on that. I suppose people that have just heard the preview of your campaign speech. Well, listen, I will say this. Here's the good thing about governance. I don't have to give speeches because we can actually just show our work, and the work is clear. And I'm grateful to all of our partners that are coming together to not just drive and spur economic development, but we're creating opportunities for young people. No administration has been as focused as I have been on our young people.

33:45 And whether that's the half a billion dollars that we put into our Chicago public schools to protect the black student success program, to make sure that our undocumented families are protected and loved. Listen, I got a chance to hang out with the pope. You know, you know, we're we're we're friends. We're friends. You know, I mean, we we go way back about a about a week and his his his position, his pulpit and my executive pin has led to some of the most substantial protections across this country.

34:16 Ten percent of the country right now, they are living under executive orders that I signed in Chicago. And so, look, politics will do what it does. years, I'm going to do what I do every day. I guess my other question related to your efforts to make this the safest, most affordable big city in the country. Advocates, community advocates are at City Hall today calling for your administration to move forward with the procurement process to find some kind of gunshot technology. Are you going to move forward with

34:50 something or is this now shelved? Look, the process is moving forward. We never stopped that process. We've gone through a very thorough vetting process. And here's why we were incredibly thorough. Two administrations ago did not go through a comprehensive process as I'm going through. And what did we get? We got junk. It was an ineffective tool. You just saw the study that came out by the university. You just saw the study that just came out that you cannot debunk the fact

35:20 that violence is down. In every single neighborhood where that junk technology existed, violence has gone down and there's been a faster response from law enforcement. And so the bottom line is this, that procurement process is ongoing. But what I'm not going to do as mayor of the city of Chicago, I'm not going to sell the people of Chicago a bill of goods so that it can enrich the interests of corporations. I'm not going to do it. Any technology that can help us drive violence down the city of Chicago, that's what we would explore. Anything less than that is only a waste of time, but it's a derelict of duty. And I'm not

35:55 going to do that as mayor of the city of Chicago. I thank you all very much. Appreciate it. Thank you.

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