Grant: 0:00

Welcome to The Waterbury Talks. I'm your host, Grant Copeland. Today's conversation is with Jim O'Rourke. O'Rourke is the CEO of the Greater Waterbury YMCA, a health and wellness organization offering programs to thousands of people of all ages and abilities. Jim grew up an only child of a single mother in the Bronx. Upon moving to Southington, Connecticut, the YMCA became, as Jim describes, his stepfather; a place that helped raise him through early adulthood. As we sit with O'Rourke in the heart of his bustling community center, Jim describes the Waterbury Y's recent expansions, his philanthropic style, and the reasons why Waterbury for individuals, families, and businesses is the place to be. If you want to understand how healthy Waterbury is, have a listen, as The Waterbury Talks with Jim O'Rourke. Thank you for providing your perspectives today, Jim. Let's start with a fairly big question. Because your organization provides so much, what does Greater Waterbury YMCA offer this community?

Jim: 0:56

A myriad of things. As you look across the hallway, we have our child development center, where we are serving over 290 children. Every single day we are having the opportunity to serve children, to teach them how to swim. We have individuals that come through our doors, they use our wellness. We have YMCA camp Natasha in Watertown, where we service over 500 kids during the summertime. Camp Okasha out in Southbury serving over a hundred kids. All collectively, we service about 20,000 children and families throughout Waterbury, as well as the surrounding communities.

Grant: 1:20

You've recently expanded and renovated your campus. Tell us about the facilities.

Jim: 1:24

Yeah. We had an opportunity to work with the city and, acquire the Rose Hill facility. We were able to open up additional preschool classrooms, as well as additional school-age classrooms. And it was instrumental during the COVID pandemic that we were actually able to offer emergency childcare up there for our hospital workers and our first responders. It's an incredible facility. I would suggest anyone come down and take a look at it. We also have the Rose Hill Mansion now, that we've moved our administrative offices up there.

Grant: 1:46

This is probably an interesting one to try to answer, but if you had to encapsulate what your role is here, what are you doing within all of these different moving parts every day?

Jim: 1:56

I like to be the man behind the curtain. I'm very fortunate that I have incredible staff around me, as well as volunteers, that have the vision and the passion for the city, and understand what the needs are of the city. So my goal is to support my staff, support our membership, support the community, as well as, get support from my volunteers, and support my volunteers as well. I can tell you, I haven't worked a day in my life. I've got an incredible job. Every morning when I wake up, I just smile because I know that I have an opportunity to support people, as well as the city of Waterbury.

Grant: 2:20

Do you have a favorite aspect of the YMCA? A program or a service or even a person?

Jim: 2:25

That's a great question. You know, I think. We're fortunate here that we have so many different areas in programming. I think about our Livestrong cancer survivor program, all the graduates from that, and then actually see them continue on to progression of being healthy and well, and being within our facility, you know, I'm smiling because when you walk into the gymnasium, afterschool and seeing a hundred teenagers in there playing basketball, we know that they're in a safe environment and it's interesting because they understand the expectations and they live and breathe what the YMCA is about. I love when I'm able to walk through my facility and see a teen hold the door for a senior, right. It's those little things, those little things that we're teaching here within our different programs. So I don't know, I don't think there's one specific program, I could go on and on, when you look at all the aspects of the things that we do, it's pretty powerful. It's a powerful thing.

Grant: 3:06

Prior to the greater Waterbury YMCA, you spent nearly two decades at the Southington Cheshire YMCA, which is nearby. That said, how do they compare? Is Greater Waterbury YMCA different, similar? Walk us through the YMCA as organizations and how this made may differ or be comparable to your prior experience.

Jim: 3:22

Yeah. Yeah. It's the beauty of the YMCA that it allows the Y to be what the community needs. I was fortunate to start up at the Southington YMCA, actually as a kid. My mom was a single parent mom, needed a place for me to go while she worked, and it was the Southington Y. They offer the same type of programs we do. And sometimes there's different programs depending on what the needs are in the community. Now, for us, for example, we're able to run the Berkeley rec center up in Berkeley Heights where Southington doesn't have that type of situation. However, they're still serving kids. They're still serving families. They're still serving the community. And that's the beauty of the Y. It's based upon what that community needs. So is there a difference? I'm going to say no, because the values are still there - making sure that we have strong kids, strong families and strong communities. I need to be careful here because I grew up with the Southington Y, but, I found my place here. And when I came here years ago, I realized that, I love this community. I love what we're able to do. and the programs we're able to expand and do, for the city. So I'll be careful on that answer because, my mentors are from Southington, and I would not be here if I didn't first start there.

Grant: 4:16

What is the Jim O'Rourke origin story? Tell us about your upbringing, your childhood.

Jim: 4:21

Oh, wow. As I mentioned, a single parent mom from the Bronx. My mom had a boyfriend who had a grandmother in Southington, Connecticut. We came up one day, and across the street from the grandmother's house was a sign in the... two-family houses for rent. My mom walked across the street, met a woman by the name of Mrs. Aldi, gave her a couple of bucks, and we moved up a week later. And then the next thing I know, it was just my mom and I, and, she needed me to a place to go, which was the Southington Y. She couldn't afford it, so through financial assistance programs and different fundraising they did... they were a United Way program back then, as well as today... and then I put in a thousand applications to, become a staff member... maybe exaggerating a lot, but... I was a punk kid, you know, I got into trouble. I got kicked out of the Y a lot. I used to sneak into the YMCA because I couldn't afford it. And a gentlemen by the name of John said, listen, whatever you have in your pocket on the first day of the month, you bring that to me and that's going to be your membership. And I became a member of the Y and then again, put in applications and they finally gave me a shot on a new year's overnight. I think that was December 31st, 1989. I think I was about 16 years old and, started at the Y that day. And now it's been, I think over 30 something years that I've been a part of it. the Y was amazing because they allowed me to, work and also go to school. you know, I was. the first one in my family to have the opportunity to go to a secondary education where I got to go to Naugatuck Valley. Back then it was Mattatuck, so it's always Mattatuck to me. The Y was great because I worked early in the morning, went to school during the day, and went back to work.'cause I had to, support my family, as well as be able to pay for school. And then one day, I applied for a program position and was able to do. to Cheshire Y and then moved on to senior program director and all that type of stuff. And I opportunity to sit across from you here. but you know, I would, as I reflect back, if it wasn't for Naugatuck valley also being flexible, it's interesting. Cause people say, well, what four-year college did you go to? I said, well, I did go to a four year college, which was central, but the foundation to get me where I was today, am today, was, Matt Itzhak. And I would talk about like community college, Here I am sitting across from you, being a little nervous, trying to figure out, but, you know, I, it's interesting because as I reflect back, the mentors that I've had in my life, I've always said that my father, is the YMC. The YMC is my stepfather. if I didn't have the Y I'm not quite sure where I would be, I probably would have made some bad choices. My mom's an incredible woman, incredible role model. And she made me and put all the valleys inside of me and parallel that with the YMCA, you know, here I am.

Grant: 6:30

So, let me reconstruct the timeline. You were in the Bronx for how many years?

Jim: 6:35

I was in the Bronx until 1978, so approximately five years.

Grant: 6:38

Okay. Was there anything that sticks out from that experience? Is is part of the impetus for how you view the world now?

Jim: 6:45

Oh, great question. there's a few stories that I kind of reflect on. I remember the time that my mom and I were, in the welfare line, getting money to be able to put food on our table. And my mom paused there for a second and I was young and she may have told me the story over and over again. That's why. And it's kind of vivid in the sense that she turned to me and said, this is the last day I'm going to do this. And my mom, through bringing me up in the Bronx, as well as Connecticut or two to three jobs to put food on the table and a roof over our head. And , when I look back, I remember in an apartment in the Bronx, in a one room, we had the kitchen and then you went into the living room and that was it. And then when it was time to sleep, you opened up the couch and that was. All right. And, the things that she was able to make do with the, give me what I needed was amazing. And she never showed any weakness, which kind of built within me that things are going to happen, but you could figure it out. If you roll up your sleeves, you can do it. the other interesting part, I remember, leaving a grocery store and I think it was a and P down in the Bronx and my mom found some money on the. On the ground walking outside. And, she took, it, went inside cash, the $5, whatever, and then put half of it in the kettle for, salvation army. And I remember that story. I'm like, Ooh, we need that money. And she goes, we need it. But other people need. And then it kind of like that aha moment in my mind. And what that's brought to me to believe is that, we're fortunate or unfortunate in the position that I'm in now, but we still need to give back. And, if you can't give back in monetary, give it back and volunteerism, there's so much that our community needs, especially here in Waterbury.

Grant: 8:10

So is it fair to say that that was the moment or within that timeframe was the moment where you thought. Really want to give myself to helping others?

Jim: 8:19

I think it began the foundation of it. I think there was many little aha moments, or light bulb moments, throughout my younger years - specifically at the Y. What the Y exposed me to was interesting, as I became an employee and began to talk to different families. I had a conversation where I was probably 17 or 18 years old, and my role was to, get the kids from the school - which was, back then, Central - onto a bus and over to the Y. And I remember sitting at the wall with all my kids, you know, I had about 18 to 20 of them and had to count them. And there was one specific kid there named Jonathan and Jonathan began to share with me, what happened the night before within his household, which there was a mess of violence and abuse and all that. And the kid was fighting. Right. And he's telling me this and I'm thinking, why is he telling me this? And I began to realize that I was being a role model to him. Right. and he began to trust me. And, that was kind of the aha moment in the sense that everyone has an opportunity. And, if you are able to build that trust and you're able to be a role model and you're able to support people, it gave me a sense of. okay. I I've, and I was still going through a lot during those years, with 17 years old. And, my mom was still struggling working two to three jobs. I was trying to figure out high school and that type of stuff, but that sense of fulfillment through that conversation, you know? Yes. I needed them to go to my supervisor and talk to them about it because the child disclosed some things to me, but it it's interesting because I believe, everybody wants the best for their families and everybody has a story and how do you. Make children feel safe. And I know when I kind of look at the Waterbury, why I want teenagers here. I want kids here. I want families here. You know, I it's funny. Cause my front desk always joke. Well here a second chance, Jim, some teenager got in trouble and he's letting them back in. But you know, if the selling to why didn't let me in all the times I got kicked out, I probably wouldn't be sitting across from you having this conference. so that's a long winded answer, but I think it's all those little stories that I could talk about that I reflect on through my career. and then I'm also able to share now with my staff and I love hearing from my staff on those little stories that they have and the impact of the work that these.

Grant: 10:12

And as you make your way through the high school years, what's the plan. Now, when you're heading the college without a point of reference from your family?

Jim: 10:19

Yeah. Yeah. the high school years were tough and it was tough. I would probably get the number wrong, but I can tell you I was in the, probably the bottom 5% of my graduating class. and, education was really not important. I was fortunate. I had a good friend, by the name of Danielle who actually brought me to Naugatuck valley and Madison said, go inside and, go take that test, which I didn't do too well on. So I had to take all these pre-courses and all that type of stuff. but you know, it's interesting cause Southern suburbia coming from the Bronx single apartment one room, my mom, when she got in Connecticut was still a two family house and you know, and sometimes I was afraid to bring friends. No, cause they looked at a house and you know, and I remember some of the different biases back then, within the neighborhood or even the school, you know, while you're from a single parent family, that's why you act the way you do. What, what does that mean? Right. And thinking back, there were times when my mom was fortunate enough to get me two pairs of pants, but you had to wear those two pairs of pants for the week. Right. so it's interesting. What the different aspects of that brought me to when I first got to, Matta tuck and what I'm saying, my first classroom, I could tell you that first professor had such an influence on me because she cared about. And I remember sitting in front of a computer and she came over and she's like, okay, start typing. I'm like, I have no idea. And she's like, well, she first turned it on. I'm like, I don't know what that means. So she showed me and it was interesting because that first semester I did not technically pass the class. Hopefully she won't get in trouble for this, but she said, if you take me again, next semester, I will pay. And I did. And I took her again in the final semester. I actually got an a in her class and I had to be very regimented, you

know, my job started at 6:30, 7: 11:47

00.

Went to 9: 11:49

00 AM got in a car, drove to Waterbury, once into school, get out of school at two 30, went back to work from three 30 to six, went back to school and this was just constant. Right. and through that, all it showed me the discipline of, you know, showing up early, making sure that you are, They're in the front row. I can tell you, that's one of my biggest philosophies in college, sit in the front row, the recognize it, all that type of stuff. And that began to build that foundation to work hard, you know, roll up your sleeves. And if you don't know, ask and also failures at the beginning were not okay for me, but as I kind of begin to build my career, I realized that failure is what you learn upon and what you're able to build upon, and then also continue through.

Grant: 12:27

So you're building upon that. It seems like a foregone conclusion, looking back now... that you started in the Y, " I'll stay in the Y," but is that a fair assessment? What, what were your career plans and were they determined that way?

Jim: 12:38

When I first became a program director, I always had this five-year plan. Like I'm going to be CEO and all that type of stuff. And I wish I could go back because. I moved too fast. You know, I thought I knew too much. I had a chip on my shoulder. and because of that speeding up of the career, I made some barriers. Bad decisions. You know, middle of my career, I, went from the Silicon Cheshire YMCA, went to the Augusta YMCAs up in Maine, credible YMCA, credible opportunity. However, I was not ready yet. I, I got through it. I suffered through it. I learned a lot. I had some great volunteers up there. In my head, I thought I could do it. And there was so much more than I needed to know. you know, and I kind of talked to my staff now and I said, yes, we want to move through that parallel, you know, that path of career, but also take your time because there's so much to learn as you kind of go through. And if you rush it, you know, I've seen some individuals that, I've seen come through the Y Russia too quickly and all of a sudden they're out of the YMCA. you know, Going through the different steps. I wish it would've slowed down a little bit. Unfortunate. I'm here. Now I could tell you, I I've learned a lot, but I'm still learning. I make mistakes every single day. And I'm the first one to walk into a meeting and tell my staff, I blew it. Right. this is what I learned. This is what I would have done differently. and you gotta be humble about it. Cause I could tell you, we don't have all the answers, but really good people around you they'll have some of the answers, but we don't have all the answers.

Grant: 13:53

So you're making your way through your professional career. How do you end up meeting your wife?

Jim: 13:57

Ah, great question. So, my wife and I played soccer when I was in second grade and I believe she was in first or third and second. her mom was the soccer coach. My mom was the assistant soccer coach. I knew then that, we'd probably get together. She didn't, fast forward. she was one year younger than me at selling. We, she had worked at YMCA camp Sloper and it was, Halloween in July or whatever. And she trusts up as the Morton salt girl and walked across the blacktop. And I went to my good friend, mark Pooler, who still is now the CEO of the selling to the Y. And I said, who's that? And he said, that's Nikki Landino. And I'm like, I know that name. I think I played soccer with her. And so we met at camp and here we are today with an incredible son by the name of Jameson.

Grant: 14:34

So community efforts, you're so involved beyond the YMCA, and the, the list - doing a little bit of research - is astounding. Tell us about some of those community organizations that you're involved with and more particularly, why are you involved with them? Wow. Because I'm fortunate enough I've been asked. I'm not sure why I'm asked. also I there's a passion in within me to be able to, it's interesting because I've always told my staff has sometimes come to me and said, why are we involved in this? Why aren't we involved in that? And I go, that's the role that Y. And the why Lobo doesn't have to be in front and center on the t-shirt or whatever the why is a place to be able to convene people, to be able to use the resources that we have to betterment the community. And it doesn't have to be told all that's the why, you know, I look at the. Mary O'Leary's kids marathon, you know what an incredible, incredible program, you know, Mike Dolan was instrumental in bringing that to the city. you know, with 3000 kids running the streets of Waterbury, we shut down downtown, you know, it shows the power of the city. So let me get this straight on a Thursday night in jail. We're going to tell the city that we're going to shut down the streets in 3000 kids, I'm going to run it. And all the businesses around are going to have to shut down or get out, get out early, because this is what's going to happen, you know? And that's pretty powerful when you sit there. And especially that program, watch the kids come running down the street and then afterwards watching the families hug their kids as they come through the finish line, knowing the culmination of 12 weeks, these kids were running a simulating, you know, marathon program. and you know, seeing. That was and thousands of kids and families at a library park. It's that. And it's funny because I've been caught that I'm a person that as those events are happening, I just stand back and I just watch and I just smile. and it's not to say, you know, look, you know, it's like, look what our city has done. you know, I look at to success, you know, without Thea and her staff and the community council and all the work that they do to the important work that we're doing, you know, around diversity inclusion, for the city and working with the board of education. No. I look at Shakespearians, you know, what an incredible program right down in downtown Waterbury, more people need to know about that. You know, so I do it because I enjoy it. I do it because that's the role of the Y more and more, I'm trying to get my staff to also be involved so we can even have more of a breadth to the city. cause the Y can be a resource outside of these four walls and we need to be able to do that. You know, it's interesting enough. I have the unfortunate witch where they asked me, I'm like, really, you know, I get to sit on the Naugatuck valley community college foundation now. Okay, let, let's get this straight. You know, barely got out of high school, got through college, and now I'm on the foundation board. And I was fortunate to do the commencement speech a couple of years back. And I'm standing in front of all these graduates going, really? This is, this is what, you know, so, you know the answer to the question, you know, it's. It's our opportunity and someone asked, so I'm going to keep saying yes. And I think sometimes my staff do come in my office and they say, let's practice the word, "no." So I've gotten to the word, "maybe." I've not gotten to the word, "no" because that's what the Y is about. I've seen you personally serve as a fantastic MC and auctioneer of local events. Where did that talent come from?

Jim: 17:26

Oh, that's great. So, way back when I was working for the Cheshire YMCA, we were doing a, a fundraising event and, I don't know if the auctioneer didn't show up or some, I don't know what happened. And they're like, we need someone to do the live auction. I'll do it. I have no idea what I'm doing. so I had the opportunity to go up and it worked. And then, the next time, the selling ton, why I was doing a forever in blue jeans and they were paying an auctioneer. I'm sorry if I put somebody out of business, I apologize. That was not my intent. but what I learned about. Did the auction for Cheshire, as well as selling 10 and now the boys and girls club. And I think I've done it for a few other organizations, is that I won't say yes to do it unless I believe in the organization, because then I could talk about the organization and what I felt when I went to auctions. If you hired an auctioneer still great, they do great. They raise money, but he could tell sometimes if they don't feel what that organization is doing for the community. and, and the beauty of it is anytime I get up there, I segway that I have no idea what I'm doing. Cause I really. I don't have a degree in auctioneering. I could just talk really fast. And most of the time I upbeat people and they don't even know it. So let that go out. but it's going to a great cause. And so when Karen calls me or the something to my, he calls me and I've done a few others here. and I've been honest, you know, I've gotten some phone calls. I'm like, I'm not sure what your organization's about. I'm not sure you want me to do it. I bet there's somebody within your organization that's volunteer or whatever that can do it. And if they need help call me, I'll just tell them that I have no idea what I'm doing, but here here's the ground, the ground rules to try to figure it out.

Grant: 18:46

There are photos out there. Of the lengths that you'll go to the support organization and get others excited about it as well. One that comes to mind as you're doing a polar plunge in the freezing cold lake in a business suit. Another is you and a full length Kinky Boots outfit to promote the Palace Theater show. So you try to keep philanthropy fun.

Jim: 19:04

Yes. Yes. You know, philanthropy is so important for our community and philanthropy is different to everyone else. I can't give millions of millions of dollars, but I can make it fun, you know, and make people laugh. And also maybe put a light bulb that other individuals had to say, I could do that too. It's not hard to jump in a frozen lake it's cold, but you know, if I'm able to raise a hundred dollars to send a kidney. Go for it, but I'm able to put on kinky boots and I'm still a little disappointed. I think I should have won first place for the best kinky boots, but I'm okay. I'm okay. It was funny because the kinky boot, which ones Astro went viral. I was getting calls where your legs actually like airbrushed. I'm like, no, they're mine. They're mine. It's okay. I work out. but you know, philanthropy in all aspects, I believe if you don't believe in what it is and you don't have fun for what it is, it's more difficult to raise money.

Grant: 19:47

Now the Naugatuck Valley Community College commencement was just one of many times you've been a keynote speaker. What insights are you trying to impart on others in some of those thoughts?

Jim: 19:56

I drive my staff nuts because the week prior I'll, put some notes together, I'll type it up. I have them come to my office. I talked to them, I blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And anytime I get in front of an opportunity to talk in front of people, which. I don't like talking in front of people. It's not a skillset of mine. You could put me in front of 500 campers and I could sing a camp, a great camp song, but, to go and actually do a keynote or anything like that, I've learned that I just taught from the heart and I understand what the crowd and who they are. you know, I had an opportunity to go up to Naugatuck valley and talk to a bunch of young men. we actually did a book series, the other Westmore and kind of parallel that to kind of my, my life and all that. You know, so it's the thing. Like, I can't give advice. That's not, you know, but I hopefully can tell a story and he can take some little pieces from it. and you know, everybody everywhere, you're learning every single day, you know, this morning and, you know, as things have happen at the YMCA and conversations I have with members, I'm learning from those members and hopefully those members are learning from you. And I always tell my staff, you know, make sure you're with them at that point, you know? If you're with them, you're learning. If you're just going there just to have a quick conversation, you're not learning. that's why sometimes I get a little long-winded in conversations with people because I just want to learn more from people. So anytime I give a keynote, I enjoy keynotes that you're able to talk to people though. this conversation I love cause you can go back and forth type of thing. so what I'm trying to portray is just some of my learnings, but don't take it as a. You know, you got to take those little bits, parallel to what you're going through right at that point and what your environment is and the things that you're doing. And then, you know, take that for what it is.

Grant: 21:24

You've mentioned in the past that one of your most notable accomplishments is contributing to the development of the race for chase program, who was chase and what was that program all about?

Jim: 21:33

Yeah. So a chase was a six year old, a triathlete, his mama, Rebecca and his dad, Steven. so chase the story goes that, chase went up to his backyard and taught himself how to swim. And I came into his mom, Rebecca and said, I want to do one of those things where you swim, run and bike. And Rebecca said, I think that's for adults. And Jay said, Google it. And then about two weeks later, chase data's is first, the first Strathallan. And I ended up winning. unfortunately that December he passed away in Newtown. a couple of years later, Kevin Grimes, who is the chair or the CEO of Seamac foundation, the foundation and Chase's memory heard about a program here we did at the YMCA called. Where we, take kids, bring them to the Y and we teach them how to swim, run, and bike. And then they do a triathlon at the end. And I got to meet Rebecca and, we sat down and talked about our program and talked about what she was envisioning. And we started the, race for chase program, which, at that first year we had three sites, one here in Waterbury, one at the lake with trouble. Why I want it to Brookfield. Why? and basically. The program is six weeks long for five to 12 year olds. And at the end of that six weeks, we come together for, one large event. Please say, this year, we have 30 programs now. they're in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and South Korea. our two large finales will be a YMC camp Sloper and Seligson whereabouts 17 or 18 programs will come together about six to 700 kids in August. our next program, finales and Newport. And then prior to that, one is one in South Carolina, but we've taught hundreds and hundreds kids how to swim. We've given way hundreds and hundreds of bikes. the great part of it is it's free for all of. my son does the program at, to selling to the YMCA. So I've got to see him come through the finish line, but there's nothing better on that day of the culminating event to watch all the athletes come through. And it's amazing of all the little stories that happen through the program, but it also then at the finale, you know, there are years that some kids are struggling a little bit on the run and their whole team would go out and run and bring him or her through the finish line. And you can tell you there's not one dry eye. At the event. and Rebecca is an incredible woman, all the work that she's done and her dedication, and she goes through all the finales, she visits the programs, and in Chase's memory. And it's interesting, cause we always know, I know that chase is always watching. It's always been interesting. We had one. Finale where we were watching the, the radar all day, we thought it was going to pour it. Slover we thought it was good for, we got everything through, we cleaned all up and all of a sudden it poured like cats and dogs, and we're all just standing there. And the rain went away and on top of Sloper mountain was a giant rainbow and we knew that was chase. sorry. But, you know, so it's an incredible program and I'm privileged to be a part of it.

Grant: 24:01

The pandemic, to pivot for a moment, must've really ripped apart all of the plans and the programs and services that you offer here. How did you and the YMCA respond to something of that scale?

Jim: 24:13

If you go back to that March, you know, everything was going, going, going, we just closed on the Rose Hill facility. We were already running programs up there and, we began to see it on. That we knew things were happening. You know, we had multiple meetings, we knew we were going to shut down childcare and then we were going to shut down the main facility. Then finally that day came that, you know, the governor did the right thing and shut down, the state, You know, it was amazing. We had to make a couple of choices. We did an opt in for our membership where we called all of our members and said, if you'd like to continue on doing, supporting the wife, please do that. I can say that almost 60, 60% stayed with us, which was incredible. but I think the most incredible thing that we did was, I got a call from Reggie ed, who is the CEO of Trinity health, new England. And he said that, he can't get his nurses or doctors to work because they don't have. Is there anything the Y can do? so I called, the city at that point and said, you know, here's the situation? What do you think? Next thing I know I was on the phone with, commissioner by who's the commissioner of the office of early childhood. And in that weekend we had, the firearm. mayor's office, the health department, OBC my staff all at the Rose Hill facility to relicense it for infant toddler care and possibly overnight care within a 48 hour window. We are all relicensed. Now we had the fire back up cause we shut everything down. And I remember sitting in, a room with my staff and they were incredible. Kristen Jones. All of them just said, this is what we're going to do. And there was no playbook, right? There was no, here's the map to switch. We said, okay, we have a pandemic. We have kids that we have to serve. It's going to be free of charge. Let's see what happens. so we originally thought it would be like 20 kids, 30 kids. and we began to get registration forms, to the hospitals. The next thing we got a call that, what about the police? What about the fire? What about EMS? And of course we said. Yes, let's see, you know, we're going to let's do it. and within one week's time, so we shut down everything laid off all our staff, which is probably the most hardest day of my life. And I remember that day was March 16th that we did that call, you know, 200 and something staff. I had to say to them that I'm not quite sure what's going to happen, but unfortunately, based upon the pandemic, I have to leave. And then within that following week, I had to bring back my childcare staff and letting them know that we're going to be offering services to some of the, probably the highest risk kids that could contract COVID because their families or their parents who are in the hospitals and all that. and I remember that morning, our, our program was going to open up at

six 30 and we got here at 6: 26:31

00 AM and Kristen had huddled up all the staff and she gave one of the most incredible coach's speeches ever in the last. To the staff. And I knew that we were going to be okay. We didn't know what it's going to look like, but I knew that that program was important to do. And we had no idea what it was going to cost. We didn't know where funding was going to come from. We just knew that it was the right thing to do. And the phone kept ringing and kept ringing. And, we went from 25 kids to 40 kids, to 50 kids, to 60 kids. we did have a limit because we only had certain. And we did that all the way through, as things began to reopen, but we did all the way through the end of June. And a lot of those parents stuck with us. and then, you know, my staff had to sit down and figure out how do you get camp going? How do you figure out all of the different regulations and the guidance on busing and you know, all these hard decisions. And I could say that my staff incredibly pivoted every single day and the, the, the quarterback. There's no wrong answer because tomorrow the answer is going to change. Right. And, they did it, they did it. And, I'm so proud of them and I believe that's why we are in the position that we are today. because that's what the, why does the Y activity to what the community needs? And that's what we did.

Grant: 27:36

It takes a lot of focus, belief, endurance to pull off what you did during the pandemic. Kind of like the Ironman competitions you compete in, no?

Jim: 27:43

Oh, that's a whole different, yeah. Yeah. It's my, that's my place where I'm able to, you know, cleanse and meditate and have time for me. Yeah.

Grant: 27:51

The YMCA has some unique community partnerships. Post University comes to mind as a recent one. Tell us about some of those community partners and the programs that you offer.

Jim: 28:00

Yeah. Post has been an incredible partner. John Hopkins and I had many conversations on what that collaboration could look like. Early on, we began to offer memberships to their students. Right away, we also spoke about how we could do a reduction in costs for my staff, going back to college. I'm pleased to say that, my staff is able to get 50 percent off tuition for Post. Post allowed us to offer at that same, discounts to all YMCAs in Connecticut and Rhode Island... which is pretty powerful. And we're trying to spread that to other states at a 20% discount. During the pandemic, fundraising was different and we had a lot of capital projects that were on the, the burner to go. I had to figure out dollars and all that type of stuff. And one of the areas that this why that, it was always kind of in my mind, I wanted to brighten it up. Cause I saw the other parts of the facility was our gymnasium, which still was, you know, the old, staying on the floor hasn't been painted in a while. It was weathered. so conversations with posts, they decided to sponsor the gymnasium, which then was able to, Through that sponsorship of the gymnasium. and it's all branded posts, but it's absolutely gorgeous when you walk in there, you're like, oh, and I could probably do a good three point shot now and be able to see the hoop, cause it's all new lighting, all painted, all the floors are redone. and we're looking at more things opportunities to do with posts. currently we're in conversations to do, additional professional development outside of the degrees and certificate programs specifically geared towards my staff and our staff. And hopefully going to scale that up to other staff, in Connecticut and Rhode Island. In our previous conversations, you have said everyone, you meet is a hero. What do you mean by that? What I've learned is that everyone has a story and everyone does good things, you know, in their own way. You know, some people it's philanthropic dollars. Some people it's in volunteerism. Some people there are so many things. And conversations that I've had, that you, you know, I, I have a gentlemen, I have, one member who unfortunately had a stroke and comes here every day and swims and works out. And he says that the, why has been the best thing in his life to get him to where he is. I have another member who comes every single day is an incredible swimmer, next thing. And I'm swimming down to the pool one day and, that one member is helping out the other member and pushing them, you know, to be better and challenging him, you know, I know both are their stories and it's incredible just to see that. And I don't need them to sit and tell me why they're doing that, but that's what people want to do. You know, people are authentic and people want to do the right thing. you know, and that, to me, that both of them are heroes. You know, one is a hero because I. To go through a stroke and the watch, all the stuff that he is worked through and he's going through. And, but he comes here every single day, you know? And you don't wish that upon anybody, but he's persevered and endured to get to where he is. The other member does it because it's the right thing to do. You know, he knows how to push him. And that's why I say that, you know, to me, everyone's a hero, because everyone can bring something to you. So have a conversation and you're able to learn from.

Grant: 30:38

You've certainly mentioned your mother earlier on, or is there, you certainly talk about her, but is there a person or two who's been really

Jim: 30:45

heavily influential in your life? Yeah, so, I mentioned prior, you know, John Myers, the, past CEO now retired or the Southern conjecture, why, you know, the things that he taught me, it was, you know, you can not say no to the man, you know, it's amazing. Like we're going to volunteer and do this. Okay. You know, but it was. All those little things that he would do, you know, he was one that would write you a hand note and it would just be a couple of words and he would leave it on your table within your classroom that you were teaching, for afterschool programs, you know, one time he, you know, I was looking at different jobs at the time and he wrote me a million dollar check. He said, don't care. But I still have it. Right. Cause he believed that much in me to continue on my career at that point at this Ellington gesture, Y YMCA, you know, even to this day, I'll get a random text message or a phone call just saying, Hey, just checking in on you. you know, so to watch, he also grew up, you know, within the Y and went from a program director, a camp director to a. CEO, but, incredible mentor. I would go back to the past CEO, Andrew Roberts here. interesting. You know, he came more from the business background where John came from the YMCA background. and Andrew taught me a lot about negotiations, a lot about, building staff teams and, you know, different aspects of that. And I think he said, you know, my mom's first, and those, that whole list there. and I would also say my wife, Nikki.

Grant: 31:52

You've noted that three of your favorite movies are as follows: Good Will Hunting, Rocky, and Escape From Alcatraz. Is it fair to say that you like stories about gifted, maybe flawed, people, rising to overcome significant challenges?

Jim: 32:05

Wow, that was very good! Yes. Yeah. And I cried it all three. Can you imagine? Crying at Alcatraz, but I do. yes. I mean, you, you look at Goodwill hunting and that whole storyline, you know, someone that, unfortunately was dealing with a lot and had a lot of anger issues and all that type of stuff and persevered and had mentors. So, you know, and then you look at Rocky. I mean, one of the, it's funny because my son loves Rocky now. and he's always looking over at me at the end is like, tears are coming out of my eyes as you know, he's yelling out Adrian, but you know, I like the underdog story. It's something that, any of those movies, I just get stuck to

Grant: 32:35

One of your favorite books - you mentioned very briefly,

earlier on: 32:38

The Other Wes Moore. Tell us about the premise of that book. I think that's a really important one, and I definitely see a parallel in your life. And, and what does that book mean to you?

Jim: 32:48

It means that everyone comes to a path in her life, you know, and you go right or left, you know, in the parallel in that book, is that a gentlemen who is coming up and beginning to be successful in all that, reads within the newspaper of a, another gentleman of same name Westmore, who unfortunately got arrested and had some difficult times. And he goes to. and they have a conversation and, kind of reflection on, you know, for myself, I know there was many times in my life, there were two paths and sometimes I took the wrong path. but the why was always there to support me. And when I did make mistakes and all that, and, you know, everyone has that, that crossroad, you know, and, the question becomes which one you're gonna take. And sometimes you take the wrong one and I know through. My personal life through my things that I've done, things I've done throughout my career. Sometimes I'm taking the wrong one. but it's so important to it's okay to reset. You know, it's, we're all gonna make mistakes, you know, and you know, it's interesting. Cause you know, even here, as I mentioned, you know, second chance gym, but you know, people are getting in trouble. People are unfortunately gonna get arrested and you know, things happen. You know, the question is what. After that, you know, you just reflect and say, well, you know, it's because of that, I'm this way. Well, you know, yes, that affects you as a person, but that's also a learning opportunity to kind of move forward. And that's what that book tells you, that you could sit there and maybe have that poor me syndrome that poor me syndrome is not going to get you anywhere. Having that site to say, you know, I'm going to keep going this way. I don't want to have a setback, but guess what? I'm going to keep going. It's just so important.

Grant: 34:12

So "Second Chance Jim" is one name. I've also heard "The Get Things Done Guy." What would you say you've quote, unquote, gotten done in the Waterbury community over your tenure here?

Jim: 34:24

I would probably have to ask that question differently. I would probably have to ask what we have done, within Waterbury. we've collectively as a team have been able to expand our childcare programs to offer more preschool to the. we've started the live strong cancer survivor program. You know, we've been supportive around the whole kid's marathon. I look at the different renovations and things that we've done to this facility to make sure that it is open. You know, the Rose Hill facility as well, camp Natasha, you know, to watch that grow and expand. You know, my past development director is now retired, Paul Labonte, you know, without her passion and desire, that camp, when she first came aboard, unfortunately it was not in the greatest shape. You know, her Joel actually went out there and painted the cabins and planted flowers just to be. opening for the kids to come out there. And now when you go out there and you walk, that facility are just in awe, you know, all the pavilions and the structures and the beautiful facilities we have out there in the more property that we've been able to do, to obtain through different foundations and all that. So, I wouldn't say, I, I think it's. and there's still more for us to do, you know, we have the third and fourth floor here that, is still vacant, trying to figure out what type of programming and things we could do there. I think that there's more opportunity for us to get into the community, looking at how we can be supportive to all the different initiatives. you know, I love to see more, programs that the Y is doing downtown, not just in this building, you know, with the Rose Hill facility, there's a lot of opportunity to bring families and community events and, different groups. I'm so excited that, you know, this year with the Rose Hill facility and I want to be able to offer, picnics up on the hill. So be able to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July. You know, there's a lot of little things and those also, you know, the big things that we can continue on doing.

Grant: 35:55

To switch gears on... you have so many year-round programs and great recreational activities. What other Waterbury events - non-YMCA- do you always look forward to?

Jim: 36:05

Oh, that's great. I enjoy The Gathering I love the, the Brew Fest in downtown, which is great. I always liked to see what the palace is up to, between the different events that they've had on celebrations. yeah. I love the parades. There there's so much that goes on. And I think the other part we don't always recognize is all the things that go on in the neighborhoods as well. you know, all the different things that happen with different music in the different parks and, you know, the fire pits and all that types of stuff. So I think it's exciting. It's an exciting time for Waterbury.

Grant: 36:30

So let's talk about that a little bit more. Overall, because you have such an interesting physical spot and perceptual spot in the city, what's your view on where Waterbury is headed?

Jim: 36:40

Oh, it's going and it's going fast. You know, I look at all the renovations and the different businesses that are coming to the city. look at our beautiful green every day. down here, I look over at library park and what's happened there. You know, some of the programs that I enjoy, that we're able to provide here is like the running program to see, you know, 20, 30, 40 people running the streets of Waterbury. I'm seeing bike lanes now, which I'm very excited about, being one that rides into work, you know, with the words of the Greenway coming to fruition, you know, I've had the opportunity to sit on that committee, you know, so we're thriving or growing. There's still so much more that we need to do. but you see it, you see it. you know, when I went running the other day, I ran down, south main street. I was like, oh, you know, to see all the new pavement, you know, it's beautiful. East main coming down into the corridor down. It's just amazing what's happening.

Grant: 37:22

So last question. You get to be the MC or the keynote here. Why should I bring my business or move my family to the Waterbury area?

Jim: 37:30

Where should I start? And this is. You got the arts. You've got the palace theater. I got seven angels. You got the Matta tuck museum. You have incredible schools. You have an incredible city. That's willing to work with any business, any not-for-profit to get it done. Right? when we did the Rose Hill, facility expansion. W it was Mo it was seamless, you know, walking over there, getting all the paperwork, done, getting all the permits done. They want to work with businesses and not-for-profits, he had recreation. You have incredible parks throughout the city. You also have the YMCA, you know, our facility here is state of the art. We're always ranked as very high as a YMCA. When you walk through these doors, the amazing, the amenities that we have here, you know, the city is growing the city's thriving and it's the place to be.

Grant: 38:10

This was wonderful, Jim. Thank you so much for the time.

Jim: 38:12

You're welcome.

Grant: 38:13

Listen to the full series from The Waterbury Talks, and learn more about Jim O'Rourke, the Greater Waterbury YMCA, community programs, and all the city offers, at thewaterbury.com