Meet Our Day Camp Team: Ali Greenman
Ali Greenman, Vice President of School Age and Camp Education of the YMCA of Metro Chicago, grew up in Homewood-Flossmoor, IL. The summer before she graduated from Indiana University, she worked at a youth camp, which changed her whole career trajectory! She fell in love with working with youth, especially at camps, and wanted to continue this path. This led her to the Irving Park YMCA in the fall after her graduation. She has worked and grew professionally at the Y for a little over 14 years. She’s honored to now be a vice president at the Y.
Q: What is your favorite part of working at the YMCA?
A: I love working with the youth development team — they are the most dedicated and caring people, and the team cares very much for the youth and families we serve. I love expanding our reach and serving new communities and school partners. I also love working with families to ensure we are able to support them and [that they can] participate in programs by helping them secure state subsidies and/or Y financial assistance.
Q: What do you like most about the work that the Y does?
A: I love how we adapt and are able to tailor programming for different communities. I love how we support families. I love how we build wonderful teams of people. I am so proud of all the work we do!
Q: What is your favorite part about Day Camp at the Y?
A: I LOVE camp training! I love bringing everyone together! I love talent shows! I love all the high fives when I visit as the campers walk by! Camp is such a special experience. It doesn’t matter where our camps are held — the camp staff create such a magical feeling. You can’t be unhappy at camp!
Q: What is your favorite memory from Day Camp at the Y?
A: I have too many to name! Oh my gosh! Making a million hot dogs with Michael Monis, when the talent show would sing me happy birthday every year, seeing my campers at By the Hand Club go swimming for the first time at McCormick, bringing campers from the city to Camp Duncan for the day. I am looking forward to making more memories in 2023!
Q: What are you most proud of in your career so far?
A: Helping people on my team achieve their goals and grow into new roles or starting a new program are so very rewarding. I am also so proud of all of our work during the pandemic. We NEVER stopped working — we were able to meet the needs of so many families and support kiddos during a very challenging time.
Q: What’s one thing people don’t know about you that they would be surprised to find out?
A: I am the pickiest eater. I don’t like it when my food touches.
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
A: I think I’d read people's minds? This is a hard one…
Q: What’s the last song you listened to?
A: The Little Mermaid soundtrack! My daughter loves singing and dancing, but normally I [listen to] country [music] all day every day!
Q: What’s one thing on your bucket list?
A: Travel more!
The YMCA of Metro Chicago believes in the power of play. We play for fun and for progress. Day Camp at the Y empowers Chicagoland youth to do mighty things — making friends, developing new skills, creating life-shaping experiences, and so much more!
Our experienced and talented counselors and staff are committed to making sure your camper experiences a full day of play, exploration, learning, and personal growth. Here at the Y, we want to show off our Day Camp team’s amazing talents and contributions to our community — and find even more talented, community-oriented individuals who want to work at the YMCA!