New Sewickley YMCA CEO knows child care crucial
When Trish Hooper walks back to say hello to the children in Sewickley Valley YMCA's child care program, at times she ends up on the floor with them, reading a book.
"Most people don't even know this child care area is back here," said the YMCA's new chief executive officer.
That's just one of the YMCA's programs that Hooper said has impressed her since she started March 1. She replaced Dave Stevenson, who accepted the CEO position at East Coast Connecticut YMCA in November.
Hooper stressed the importance of the Y providing scholarship money for child care -- especially for single parents whose paychecks can be consumed by the cost of such care.
Last year, the Sewickley Valley YMCA provided $250,000 in financial assistance to 922 individuals and families for child care, membership and other programs. This year, Hooper said, she expects $80,000 more will be necessary for the same help.
The YMCA provided space for children from 70 Moon Area School District families when teachers went on strike there last year. About 50 families registered again this year in case the teachers should strike.
"We are proud we were able to provide that safety net," she said.
Hooper, 42, smiled as she peeked into another room packed with chairs full of people enjoying a Senior Men's Club music program.
"They meet here every Friday. Some of them are World War II veterans. They're just a great group of guys," she said.
Married and living in the North Hills, Hooper came to the YMCA after 18 years as a reporter, editor and executive at Trib Total Media, where she most recently served as chief operating officer.
With less than a month on the job, Hooper said she is learning fast what the Y is all about. She already plans to involve her stepchildren, ages 8 and 12, in the Y's activities.
"Our wellness and fitness areas are important parts of the Y, but there is so much more. That's really what drew me."
Hooper said she used the Greater Pittsburgh YMCA in the past primarily for fitness, but as she learned more about the Y, she became more impressed with its role in the community.
She cited the Y's Faith in Action program, which provides volunteers to assist older adults.
"I just took an elderly woman from Conway to Moon for a doctor's appointment. If it wasn't for the Y, she wouldn't have been able to get to the doctor's," Hooper said.
Amy Richardson, the YMCA's director of development and communications, said YMCA of USA helped Sewickley board members with the search process.
Hooper was chosen from more than 100 applicants.
"They took their time to make sure they found the right person who was caring, compassionate and enthusiastic, and I think they found that with Trish," Richardson said.
George Morgan, the board's president, said board members liked Hooper's credentials, personality, presentation skills, her understanding of the issues facing the Y and her ability to break down those issues into chunks so they can be addressed successfully.
"She has the ability to take the foundation that is already there, build on it and take the Y's performance to the next level.
"She understands that listening is a prerequisite to leadership. She involves the staff and recognizes their skills. She also knows it's all about the members and hearing what they have to say."
