ACT 2006 Recognition Reception Honoree

2006 Recognition Reception Honoree:  Jim Sheldon Jim Sheldon, came to the Abington area as Executive Director of the Abington Branch of the YMCA Philadelphia and Vicinity. Prior to that he spent 14 years in the Silver Spring Branch of the Washington, D.C. YMCA. His professional career has been marked by many accomplishments, including recognition as one of the "Outstanding Young Men in America," serving as a delegate to a Soviet/American Youth Forum in Russia, and receiving several Liberty Trail Chapter APD (the YMCA’s Association of Professional Directors) Awards: 1985, Leadership; 1988, Project Award; 1994, Award of Excellence; 1998, Budget Management. Jim's early life was one of character development led by his mother and father. As the oldest of nine children he learned compassion and family responsibilities from his mother. His military father instilled qualities of leadership and teamwork. He served as an altar boy in his Roman Catholic church, was active in the CYO, and is a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Whitemarsh. Jim’s involvement in the community began with membership in the Jenkintown Rotary Club, where he has served on the Board of Directors on three separate occasions, spanning many years. That organization spawned the consortium known as "We Can Say No," where he was a founding member as well as its President for two years. Notably over its 15 years of existence, “We Can Say No" sponsored 15 leadership weekend camps for more than 1,500 Abington, Jenkintown, and Upper Dublin junior high/middle school students. Over 3,000 young people attended their Spring Leadership Days. When crisis enveloped the Abington community in 1994, Jim was one of the founding members of the Abington Community Taskforce and remains a pillar of strength here today. As a member of ACT he has chaired the Religious/Agency Services Committee for the past several years. Under Jim’s leadership, this committee has organized and run ACT’s Youth Forum in 2003, 2004, and early 2006 to bring youth into the Taskforce and promote civic engagement in their community. As a result, one of Jim's dreams has been realized in the formation of the ACT Teen Council comprising student members from tenth through twelfth grade. Jim’s dreams were further realized when this Council developed much of the format for the 2006 Youth Forum. Jim’s ultimate goal is to have the Youth Forum completely youth planned and driven and adult supported. Jim has been devoted to the community. His belief in the Abington-Rockledge community is best served by its commitment and investment of key community leaders, the Abington School District, Abington Police Department, social agencies, and numerous community organizations. Jim notes, “These leaders have longevity, and their continuity is important. Abington is a community that is proactive and on the cutting edge of the national projects.” With respect to goals for our community, Jim states that, “A leader never stops dreaming. Leaders reflect the continuing need to help teens grow in their involvement in the Teen Council and the Youth Forum.” He desires to see ACT become more viable in this area and active in the community in a number of other areas. Jim emphasizes, “Our work is never done; ACT must continue to lead the way in a wonderful community. We must grow our culture expectations of a caring, responsive, and proactive community so that future leaders will become assimilated into the established culture of the community.” Jim retired from the Abington YMCA in June 2005 after 25 years as its Executive Director. One of his most significant accomplishments was traveling to Russia 12 times to help establish YMCAs there. Since 1991, more than 30 YMCAs have been started in that country. Jim is married to Kay.  He has four children: Kelley, Tara, Ryan, and Andy. Their family life, featuring annual ski trips and summer beach trips, are part of Jim’s devotion to home and family. Jim also enjoys fishing, gardening, and carpentry.

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