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Pittsburgh, PA- April 23, 2012 – Spaces are still available for Pittsburgh kids from low-income families to snag their spot for summer camp this year, complete with canoeing, hiking, swimming, and outdoor adventure.  But families must act quickly if they want to take advantage of the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh’s Send a Kid to Camp program.

The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh has announced that scholarships for summer camp are now available for kids in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area whose families demonstrate financial need.  The scholarships will allow first-time campers to attend a one-week camp at Camp Kon-O-Kwee Spencer in Beaver County for as little as $50. Because of limited availability, scholarships are given on a first come, first served basis.

 “Summer camp is a wonderful way for kids to learn about nature, experience the freedom of play in the outdoors, and enjoy healthy social interaction,” said Rick Deer, vice president, camping services. “The Send a Kid to Camp program makes sure that finances are not an obstacle to giving these kids the opportunity to experience the joy of summer camp.”

Camp Kon-O-Kwee Spencer has been offering summer overnight camps for more than 80 years to children, teens and physically and mentally challenged groups.  The camp boasts nearly 400 acres of forested beauty with the Connoquenessing Creek flowing through the center and more than 40 outdoor activities.

To qualify for scholarships, families must fit the income criteria designated by YMCA Building Bridges Program as set by the YMCA. Parents or legal guardians of eligible children between the ages of 7 and 15 can register for scholarships by contacting 724-758-6238 or calling toll-free at 877-YMCA-K-O-K.  Parents can also find out more online on the Camp Kon-O-Kwee Spencer page at ymcapgh.org.

The 200 scholarships are made possible by a grant from the A.L. Spencer Foundation, founded by YMCA benefactor, board member and volunteer Larry Spencer.  Camping supplies such as sleeping bags are donated by Dick’s Sporting Goods.

About the Y

The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Y of Greater Pittsburgh is a 501c(3) charitable organization dedicated to nurturing the potential of every youth and teen, improving the nation’s health and well-being and providing opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Programs offered by the Y of Greater Pittsburgh serve more than 90,000 different people each year and include after-school care and childcare, outdoor camping, community outreach, sports, health and fitness, youth counseling and senior assistance. Every day, the Y works side by side with its neighbors to ensure that everyone regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

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Follow the links below to view the media coverage:

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Essential Public Radio
Pittsburgh Live
CBS Pittsburgh, KDKA
WTAE

Hill District History and Revitalization Come Together as Thelma Lovette YMCA Opens April 18

The Centre Avenue YMCA in the Hill District has long been a community hub for the Pittsburgh African-American community.  And the opportunities are only expanding – the opening of the 43,000-square-foot Thelma Lovette YMCA in the Hill District will broaden the YMCA’s ability to provide services to Hill District residents.

“Everything about the Thelma Lovette YMCA is about embracing the YMCA’s history with the community in the Hill District,” said Rig Riggins, President and chief executive officer of the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh.  “Since the days when segregation barred African-Americans from much of what the city had to offer, the Centre Avenue YMCA has been a center for culture, physical fitness and community.  The Thelma Lovette Y continues that commitment to the community with a brand new building and equipment that gives us the capacity to serve more than 1,000 additional members.”

There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, April 18 and a public open house on Saturday, April 21. 

The ribbon cutting will take place at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, April 18.  Speakers will include:

• Luke Ravenstahl, Mayor, City of Pittsburgh
• Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County Executive
• Jake Wheatley, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 19
• R. Daniel Lavelle, City of Pittsburgh Council, District 6
• Lynne Hayes-Freeland, KDKA-TV
• Rig Riggins, President and Chief Executive Officer, YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh
• Tom Burley, Board Chair, Centre Avenue and Thelma Lovette YMCA branches
• Aaron Gibson, Executive Director, Centre Avenue and Thelma Lovette YMCA branches
• Thelma Lovette, Guest of Honor

The Grand Opening is an opportunity for all members of the community to check out the new YMCA building and equipment for free between 10 am and 2 pm on Saturday, April 21.  The day will include facility tours, class demonstrations, giveaways and more.

“The Center Avenue building is steeped in the rich history of the Hill District,” said Aaron Gibson, Executive Director of the Center Avenue and Thelma Lovette YMCA branches. “The Thelma Lovette Y helps us continue that history in addition to bringing brand new technology and facilities to the community.”

The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh invested 12 million dollars in the Thelma Lovette Y.  Community supporters include the BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania, First Niagara, The Heinz Endowments, Highmark, McAuley Ministries, the Richard King Mellon Foundation, the Pennsylvania State Department of Community and Economic Development and the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, the PNC Foundation, the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, Tree Pittsburgh, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

About the Y

The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Y of Greater Pittsburgh is a 501c(3) charitable organization dedicated to nurturing the potential of every youth and teen, improving the nation’s health and well-being and providing opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Programs offered by the Y of Greater Pittsburgh serve more than 90,000 different people each year and include after-school care and childcare, outdoor camping, community outreach, sports, health and fitness, youth counseling and senior assistance. Every day, the Y works side by side with its neighbors to ensure that everyone regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

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Proceeds from the Ultimate Sports Raffle directly support YMCA programs and services in Pittsburgh’s urban communities. 

Special thanks to everyone who supported the raffle this year.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, November 14, 2011 – The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh today announced that its new chief executive officer is Rig Riggins, a long-time YMCA executive who currently heads the YMCA of the Inland Northwest in Spokane, Washington.

“Western Pennsylvania is indeed lucky to have someone with Rig’s experience to take over leadership of the Y of Greater Pittsburgh,” said Robert B. Cottington, Chairman of the Y Metropolitan Board of Directors.  “Rig has demonstrated through many years in executive roles at various Y’s around the country that he understands how to operate and grow YMCA organizations to serve more people, increase membership, solidify funding, develop teams of volunteers and staff, and strengthen partnerships with other community organizations.  We are very excited to bring Rig to Pittsburgh to lead our Y.”

“My first priorities at the Y of Greater Pittsburgh will be to work with board, staff and volunteers to advance our current strategic initiatives and continue to grow the organization, while introducing myself to Pittsburgh area foundations, corporations and other nonprofit organizations,” said Riggins.

 Rig Riggins has served as the president and chief executive officer of the YMCA of the Inland Northwest since 2001.  Under his leadership, the Spokane Y successfully completed a $40 million capital campaign in collaboration with the YWCA, the largest total ever for a Spokane nonprofit capital campaign. During Riggins’ years as CEO, the Spokane Y also opened two new branches, quadrupled membership at its facilities and initiated new membership packages that made the Spokane Y more affordable for families of limited means

Before joining the Spokane Y, Riggins served in a number of executive roles at Y’s across the United States, including as President of the YMCA of Greater Long Beach, California; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the YMCA of San Diego County, California; Vice President of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, California; and in several management roles at the YMCA of Greater Des Moines, Iowa.  He earned a bachelor of science in business administration from Drake University. In 2010, Riggins was awarded the annual NAYDO Award for Excellence in Fundraising for all YMCAs in North America.  Riggins currently serves as a member of the National Board of the 501(c) Agencies Trust.

Riggins first day at the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh will be January 2, 2012. Riggins replaces Eric Mann, who left the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh earlier this year to become the head of the Jacksonville, Florida Y. During the transition, William F. Jones, Jr., Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, served as interim CEO for the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh.

Read additional coverage of this story below:
Essential Public Radio

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh Live

Pittsburgh Business Times

Follow the event coverage through these media sources:

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Read more of the article in the Upper St. Clair Patch