ORGANIZATION
Name: Paul Steffens.
Title: executive director.
Organization: San Diego Armed Services YMCA.
Mission of organization: Enhance the lives of junior enlisted military personnel and their families.
Telephone: 858-751-5755, ext. 101.
Web site: militaryymca.com.
Founded: Organization was founded during the Civil War, and established in San Diego in 1921.
Milestone: Exceeding 6,000-plus monthly program participants in 2007.
Annual income: $1.2 million.
Expense allocation: $1.1 million.
Corporate support: 16 percent of our revenue.
Corporate supporters: Raytheon, Booz Allen Hamilton, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, Epsilon Systems Solutions, North Island Credit Union, USA Federal Credit Union, Lincoln Military Property Management.
Board chairman: Sam Merrick.
Board members: 46.
Employees: 26.
Volunteers: Hundreds, including many active duty military.
Events: 40 programs a month. Special events include “The Christmas You Missed,” “Father-Daughter Dance,” “Coed for a Day,” “All Decked Out Fashion Show,” and “Family Holiday Toy Program.”
Wish list: Ensuring that every military family in San Diego has our telephone number and reaches out when they need assistance.
OFFICE ISSUES
Recent challenge: Having enough new toys and funding to provide 800 military families with two toys per child and a $50 commissary gift certificate.
Measures of success: Increasing monthly program participation to reach more families.
Smartest move: Requiring staff to take digital pictures of our programs in action that enable us to show how our programs assist families , at no cost to them.
Missed opportunity: We haven’t missed any.
Misconception: That we are a “YMCA.”
PROFESSIONAL INSIGHTS
Personal path to nonprofit work: 30 years in the Navy and a passion to assist our men and women in uniform.
Toughest aspect: Finding out about a military family hardship after it’s too late to help.
Most surprising aspect: The continuing generosity and caring by the San Diego community during this economic downturn.
Biggest pain: People who think military families have it made.
Greatest pleasure: A moving thank you note from a family who benefited from our programs.
INTROSPECTIONS
Best recent moment: Watching a young Navy spouse give our Kid Comfort personalized quilt to her two girls, who could now curl up with pictures of their dad, who is in Iraq.
Worst recent moment: We don’t accept bad moments.
Dream for another life: Looking at my Professional Golfers’ Association of America card.
Downtime: Anytime with my wife , golfing, biking, enjoying San Diego.
Causes: Helping military families and finding a cure for cancer.
Most like to meet: President-elect Barack Obama.
