OCTOBER 2025In this issue:What Happens Between BallotsA Seat at the Table with Kristen KishCon Edison Powers Civic VoicesMeet our Marathon Moms!Upcoming Events What Happens Between Ballots “If you want to impact what happens in your community, you should make your voice heard. And as such, one of the best ways to make your voices heard is by voting,” Sharon Levy, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, explains simply. Elections shape daily life in immediate and often overlooked ways. Local offices like city council determine policies that directly affect our neighborhoods significantly more than the state or federal government, yet participation in local elections is low. Sharon points out that many people are disengaged, feeling apathetic or disconnected from the candidates. That reality makes the Y’s role even more critical.Civic engagement has long been a part of the Y’s mission to strengthen community. Through its nonpartisan efforts, the Y brings this to life not just by encouraging voter turnout, but by equipping people to understand the local issues and ensure their voices are represented to decision-makers. Maintaining strong relationships with elected officials and government agencies allows the Y to connect community priorities to real policy change.That work is happening on the ground across New York City. The Y reaches prospective voters through nonpartisan initiatives like National Voter Registration Day, large-scale gatherings such as Healthy Kids Days, and in the near future, community convenings. To reach people in neighborhoods with some of the lowest voter turnout rates, Public Affairs has identified 5 branches (Flushing, Flatbush, Broadway, Harlem, La Central) to pilot community convenings. The goal is more than registering voters, but building ambassadors: community members who engage their neighbors, surface issues that matter most, and ensure those priorities are reflected in the conversations with elected officials both before and after elections.The Y is making resources more accessible, tapping into partnerships with organizations like NYC Votes, and leveraging reforms such as ranked-choice voting to help people feel that their ballots reflect their values. This practical, nonpartisan approach has the power to shift how communities see their role in shaping the future.And the stakes are high. Who holds office directly influences funding for programs that families at the Y depend on—from ESL classes to teen programs. As Gretchen Craig, Coordinator of Government Grants & Special Projects notes, “Who’s sitting in those seats makes a huge difference in terms of how the funding will look for programs the Y implements in our communities.” At the same time, the Y is investing in its own capacity, including hiring a full-time Director of Civic Engagement. This new role will ensure that every branch has the tools to lead voter registration and education efforts citywide.By connecting neighbors, elevating voices, and holding leaders accountable, the Y is making clear that voting is not a once-a-year event. (And yes, there is an election every year!) It’s a vital act of community strength, one that we hope you’ll be part of this November. A Seat at the Table with Kristen Kish“Working for [restaurateur] Barbara Lynch, I had this strong woman at my side. But what ended up happening was that I came out around the same time that she did. The New York Times even wrote about our mentor/mentee relationship. And so... [people] began saying that I only got where I was because we were having a relationship. But, in general, that’s what women deal with in the workplace. As soon as you move up—no matter your race or sexuality—it scares a lot of people,” Kristen Kish, acclaimed chef, restaurateur, and Top Chef host shared. At our annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon last week, Kristen was in good company among New York City’s top women leaders in business and philanthropy—women who understand the determination and grit it takes to succeed in male-dominated industries and who choose to lift young women and girls as they rise.As part of our mission, the Y serves students from disadvantaged backgrounds who might otherwise not have access to high-quality enrichment programs. Together, we raised over $xx,xxxx to support young women in our youth leadership and college access programs, empowering them with opportunities and tools they need to step confidently into their futures. In an inspiring conversation with our President & CEO Sharon Greenberger, Kristen reflected on today’s most pressing issues for women and girls and shared her journey, captured in her memoir Accidentally on Purpose. She recounted how Lynch once encouraged her to compete on Top Chef: “She said, ‘You need to go on it. One: We need more women representing on television. Two: You can do it,’” Kish told Parade. It was then that she realized she served a greater purpose.This event is a powerful reminder that our greatest strength is our community. A community that believes in giving back and lifting as you climb—something to celebrate not just once a year, but in our daily pursuit of a greater New York. Con Edison Powers Civic Voices As our city prepares for the upcoming election, our longtime partner Con Edison is stepping up to support the Y’s citywide effort to strengthen democracy in our communities. With a transformative gift of $225,000, Con Edison is helping us mobilize thousands of New Yorkers, reach families where they live and gather, and ensure that civic participation reflects the full diversity of our city. For more than 30 years, Con Edison has stood with the Y in championing our mission and the programs that bring it to life. This year, lobby activations across all 24 Y branches will provide voter registration resources and empower neighbors with the knowledge they need to make their voices heard. Additionally, Con Edison’s support will help launch five borough-wide community convenings, dynamic gatherings where residents will come together to address pressing local issues, learn from civic leaders, and prepare for the election. By focusing on neighborhoods with historically low voter turnout—Harlem, Flushing, Flatbush, the South Bronx, and Staten Island—these efforts will amplify voices that too often go unheard. Con Edison’s commitment to our civic engagement work sends a powerful message: every community deserves to be heard, and every New Yorker has a stake in shaping the future of our city. With their support, the Y is building civic power and creating a stronger New York for generations to come. Meet our Marathon Moms Motherhood builds endurance. Marathons put it to the test. Meet the Y moms on Team Y Champions who are proving they can do it all—from first steps to 26.2 miles. SUPPORT MOTHERS AT THE Y KATHRYN, NORTH BROOKLYN Y“Being a mother means... putting others first while trying to hold on to pieces of yourself. I’m running to reclaim some of those pieces. As a mother of 5, I’m running for the moms who do everything they can—and still don’t have enough. Families facing food insecurity deserve better.” See how we’re combatting food insecurity. KENDALL HILL“As an elementary school counselor...I know how safe spaces, supportive mentors, and inclusive opportunities can change the trajectory of a young person’s life and that’s exactly what the Y provides. As a new mom, I run for my daughter, Sydney, to show her she can do hard things, dream big, and make a difference.” Watch our youth impact in action. MELANIE, BED-STUY Y“We joined 3 months before my oldest child was born and my kids are now 16 and 13. So, in honor of turning 50, I’m fundraising for the place that's been there for me and my family for 16 years.” Learn more about starting your own fundraiser. UPCOMING EVENTSTCS NYC MARATHON | November 2 Join us at Gowanus Gardens (256 4th Av) from 9AM-1PM to cheer on Team Y Champions!ELECTION DAY | November 4Use your voice by voting! Find out which Y branches serve as polling sites and make your plan. Learn more.VIDA AWARDS & RECEPTION | November 19You're invited to our Visionaries Inspiring Dreams and Ambitions (VIDA) Awards & Reception. Formerly Hispanic Achievers, VIDA celebrates Hispanic youth achieving educational success, and honors those providing holistic support for Hispanic communities across NYC. Learn more and RSVP here.