The Wilton Family YMCA, along with YMCA of the USA, is launching “Zoe for President,” a campaign to elect a one-year-old girl as our nation’s Commander in Chief…in 2064. The campaign highlights the potential the Y sees in all kids to grow up and change the world if they’re nurtured properly and supported along the way. Through Y initiatives like childcare, academic enrichment, mentorship, college prep, job training, and more, kids have the opportunities to succeed, grow, and one day, maybe even become president.
Through the campaign, the Y aims to impart the values of what it means to achieve-how hard work, determination, perseverance and character can drive someone to success beyond what they thought possible. It promotes the idea that, “If children are cared for, kept safe and have the chance to learn and grow, there’s no reason they shouldn’t be able to lead our great nation – in like 50 years.”
The “Zoe for President” campaign is a fun take on the heated current Presidential campaign cycle, but focuses on the importance of supporting and guiding every child, regardless of background. Signs and banners have popped up all around the YMCA, in a humorous nod to political campaign practice. There’s even a campaign commercial just like the real ones (see the video at the end of the article).
During this week the Wilton Family YMCA branch summer camp theme, “American Road Trip,” will allow campers the opportunity to learn more about Zoe, the election process and participate in a mock elections between Zoe and Gordy, the Wilton Family YMCA’s camp mascot.
“The Y works to ensure all kids have the support they need to achieve their full potential,” says Bob McDowell, CEO, Riverbrook Regional YMCA. “We work in Wilton, Norwalk and Redding to provide services addressing our most critical social issues, such as our SWIM ACCESS program, which, since 2013, has served over 1,000 children with free swim lessons reducing childhood drowning; and our summer camp program that not only serves more than 450 campers each week but employs over 125 youth from our community, giving them the opportunity to develop attitudes and practices that build character and leadership for their future endeavors.”
“Zoe for President” is the second phase of the Y’s For a Better Us™ campaign, a multi-year, multi-faceted effort to engage more people with the Y and its mission as a nonprofit. Earlier this year, the Y launched two powerful television commercials, Places, and Idle Hands, each spotlighting a different problem communities in America face today. Both spots closed with the Y’s nonprofit work on the ground, engaging and enriching kids and families through safe spaces, mentorship, education, meal programs and more.
Although the campaign is a lighthearted approach, it’s a subtle way to reinforce some of the serious work undertaken by YMCAs in all communities.
“Zoe’s campaign addresses actual issues that America’s communities are faced with each day like access to early childhood education, safe space, meal assistance, and the Y’s role in solving the challenges head on,” says Kevin Washington, president and CEO, YMCA of the USA.
Anyone wishing to help the Wilton Family Y enable all kids to dream big like Zoe can donate online.
