Worcester to improve lifeguard safety, partners with YMCA to fill vacancies
WBZ News
By Paul Burton
May 14, 2024 / 5:48 PM EDT / CBS Boston
WORCESTER – From indoor pools to outdoor public parks, lifeguards are in need in the city of Worcester.
Sue Swanson is a former lifeguard and member of the Columbus Park Neighborhood Association. “The need has never been greater,” Swanson said. She says as the days grow hotter these public beaches become very packed. The city announced they are partnering with the YMCA of Central Massachusetts to help deal with the lifeguard shortage.
“This is a great partnership that helps us to not only recruit but retain lifeguards in our community and provide a safe sense of community at the beach in the summer,” Worcester City Manager Eric Batista said.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. As part of our commitment to protecting the children in our community, we’re participating in the Five Days of Action – a week-long campaign to increase awareness of child sexual abuse and empower and equip us all to prevent it. By taking part in this important campaign and through implementing abuse prevention practices year round, the YMCA of Central Massachusetts is committing to the safety of all children in our community.
Know: Summer Camp: KNOWing about child sexual abuse can help adults better understand what to look for and how to prevent it. As parents, caregivers, and trusted adults to the young people in our lives, we play an important role in protecting them from abuse. This requires our commitment to continually learn and then ask questions about the safety of our loved ones. The Y – and other youth serving organizations – implement a series of measures to keep the kids in their care safe. Next time you enroll your loved one in a new program, ask them about their child protection practices. For this summer, you can use this list.
See: Youth Sports: When we SEE boundaries being crossed or suspect a child is being abused, we can and should act quickly. Sports should be safe places for children to grow, both as people and athletes. As a parent, caregiver, coach, or volunteer, it is up to you to make sure any environment in which children in your care interact is free from abuse. Learn more about the signs and how you can help prevent child sexual abuse in youth sports at https://uscenterforsafesport.org/parents/
Respond: Internet Safety: Did you know that you don’t need evidence to report abuse—only reasonable suspicion? But even for adults, reporting abuse is hard. We don’t want to falsely accuse someone or get someone in trouble. On the other hand, reporting might be the one thing that saves a child – or children – from abuse. It is our responsibility to RESPOND to any and all disclosure, discovery or suspicion of child sexual abuse. This week we learned the importance of Know. See. Respond. and gained practical tools for preventing child sexual abuse— but our work is never done. The YMCA of Central Massachusetts is committed to year-round prevention, and we hope you are, too! Stay connected and informed by visiting https://www.ymca.org/fivedaysofaction. #FiveDaysofAction
As adults and children alike have turned to digital tools for school, work and socialization, online safety matters now more than ever. Many online dangers put children at risk, such as cyber bullying, online enticement and more. As an adult, keeping an open line of communication with any children in your care who may access online content can be key to helping prevent sexual abuse. Learn the facts, how you can keep kids safe, and how to respond to online victimization at https://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz
We take our commitment to child protection seriously and we hope you do too. Check out our protection policy HERE to learn more about how we keep kids safe in Central Massachusetts.
Congresswoman Lori Trahan Visits Montachusett Regional YMCA to Celebrate Community Development Week for CDBG’s 50th Anniversary
On March 26, 2024, the Montachusett Regional YMCA in Fitchburg and the Community Development and Planning Department had the pleasure of hosting Congresswoman Lori Trahan, alongside the District Representative Michael Kushmerek to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. Over the past ten years, the Spartacus program has received over $103,000 in CDBG funding. Spartacus is a program designed to help at-risk teens who are vulnerable to issues such as substance abuse, failing school, anger management, and making healthy decisions. Through a diverse offering of curriculum, including exercise, academic tutoring, community service opportunities, and workshops focused on topics like anger management, leadership development, and substance abuse, participants build their character, self-confidence as well as abilities.
