Montachusett Community YMCA

Bill joined the Y just two days after moving to Fitchburg.  He joined the Y for not only the vast array of fitness programs, but for the activities available for his children.  The Y had everything Bill and his family needed from fitness classes to time spent at Camp Lowe.  Years have passed and Bill is now a grandfather.  He has decided that his grandchildren need the same Y experience.  At 4 years of age, Bill’s granddaughter has her own membership and has begun swim lessons.  Bill is passing on his Y experience to the generations to come and hopefully they will enjoy all the Y has to offer too.

Central Community Branch

… the Wellness Staff are offering “mini clinics,” quick 15 impromptu workouts for members in the Wellness Center to give them an introduction to personal training and group exercise.  As a staff member recruited people for a clinic yesterday, he realized three women didn’t speak English (and he didn’t speak Spanish).  The staff person found a solution in another member – who DID speak Spanish.  He asked her to participate and translate, and she agreed.  It was a win-win-win situation.  The translating member (who wasn’t going to do the mini-clinic) did it and loved it; the members who needed translating were so appreciative and thankful for the attention – they were beaming; and the staff person made connections he hadn’t even expected.  When the clinic was over, the members stayed together, talking about the classes and programs and are on the way to becoming friends.  We’re for Healthy Living.

Greendale Family Branch

Our story this week is from our School’s Out Department. During a full day of care, last Friday, March 29^th, we all witnessed a very unique moment as four boys bonded through a game of catch.

Brian Anderson was the first to observe the four boys ages 5, 8, 9 and 12 playing catch in the main gym. He watched as the youngest boy, Nicholas was struggling to throw the football back to the other boys. Before Brian had a chance to assist him, Kevin, the 9 years old, ran over to Nicholas and took the time to show him how to throw the ball properly. The other two boys, Jonah and Rome waited patiently while Nicholas was learning how to throw for the first time.

Once Nicholas was able to throw, all four boys separated once again, but this time they didn’t throw the ball to each other, but decided to only throw the ball to Nicholas to allow him to improve his catching and throwing skills.

When Nicholas’s mother came to pick him up, she witnessed Nicholas practicing his newly learned football skills. The mother was grinning from ear to ear as she explained to Nancy Boland how she is a single mother and that Nicholas has no male figure in his life. She was ecstatic when Nancy told her how the other boys took the time to show him how to catch and throw the football.

We are proud that these young School’s Out participants are showing the true meaning of “Caring” to each other.  These young boys that helped Nicholas might not be able to comprehend the impact that they made that day, but we know that Nicholas and his mother will never forget it.

Boroughs Family Branch

We are for Social Responsibility… During Friday’s Cut & Color with Christie, more than 20 3-5 yr olds kicked off the Boroughs Branch “What do you stand for?” Flamingo Month of Giving for the Annual Campaign by creating fabulous flamingo crafts.  The children designed natural, lush wetland settings, then glued on flamingos and thought bubbles reading “This is who I am and this is what I stand for…”  Though the projects were creative and beautiful, the most interesting aspect was the response to “what do I stand for?”  One boy in particular had an initial response of “sports” but when considering what he loves more than anything else his answer became “family.”  Other wonderful responses included “playing outdoors with my mother at my house”, “God”, “my sister” and the comical response “popcorn”.  Following the event,  the children were challenged to tour the entire Y, every department, and find the 6 hidden flamingos…peaking from behind the Studio 22 bookcase, peering over the Aquatics director’s desk, big “Fernando the Running Flamingo” in the lobby among others!  Parents, it’s time to purchase your flamingos!  Last Flamingo Floating is coming!

YMCA OF CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS
March 2013
Strengthening the Foundations of Community

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT – nurturing the potential of every child and teen

Pedro is a 7 year old who enrolled in the 7-9 year old basketball league at the Central Community Branch.  Those “Big” kids were a little too much for him and he was discouraged to the point of quitting.  The Y staff switched him to a younger group (more his size and ability) and he agreed to try it one more week.  What a difference a week made.  With the help of his teammates (who knew he was desperate for his first basket and kept passing him the ball) he took a shot in this week’s game – and MADE it.  He went on to make another shot from the free throw line.  This may seem like a small thing, but to Pedro it was the accomplishment of a lifetime.

Ali is a high school student and considered one of the very best coaches and Kid Zone Counselors at the Boroughs Family Branch.  Each week, Ali comes up with new and exciting ways to keep kids engaged and constantly learning.  His supervisor receives positive feedback from the families involved in his programs.  For such a young man, Ali is far beyond his years in his ability to lead. Before beginning to work with families, Ali didn’t have much experience in leadership.  Now, he develops exciting lesson plans on his own AND teaches programs that keep families registering for his classes.  In one email Ali sent to his supervisor, he ends with: “Also I just wanted to thank you for giving me the opportunity to coach these wonderful children. I have learned so much from them and have gained a lot of experience to interact and communicate with them. Also, the amount of compliments I get from the parents are outrageous and amazing. Thanks so much!”  We often hear about the positive influence our coaches have on our program participants.  Today, we see a perfect example of how the YMCA gives our youth the outlet to develop into bright, confident leaders.

Arriana attended Camp Lowe in the summer of 2012. Arriana overcame numerous obstacles while attending camp.  She was afraid to swim and was very shy. After attending camp, Arriana’s mom saw her excitement when she came home. She enjoyed all activities and especially making new friends. She can’t wait to attend camp this summer! Great news as camp sign ups have just begun.

HEALTHY LIVING – improving the nation’s health and well-being

Ellen came to the Central Community Branch to present a workshop on “Conquering Sugar.”  She planned to volunteer, help people move in a healthier direction, and offer some support.  What she didn’t expect was the way coming to the Y would change HER.  She was so inspired by the people she met at the workshop that she joined the Y on the spot.  In her first week Ellen has started to take group exercise classes, made new friends and challenged what she thought she knew about herself.  Ellen thought she was going to transform people, and was transformed herself, in the process.

In partnership with Framingham State University, the Boroughs Family Branch has an intern working in the Wellness Center. Jimmy is a senior in the nutrition program at the University and is also seeking his personal training certification. Jimmy’s background includes being a Resident Assistant to other students in on-campus housing and he also has supervised the fitness center at the school. While he is at the Branch, Jimmy takes the time to meet members and talk to them about his training in nutrition. Jimmy has been very interactive, answering questions from members who might be looking for some tips for healthy diet to incorporate into their lifestyles. He also has made a fantastic informational board in the Wellness Center for members and staff alike which details nutrition and healthy eating guidelines. This valuable addition to the Wellness Center is a perfect example of how the Y consistently aims to help people make their lives healthier.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY – giving back and providing support to our neighbors

The staff at the Central Community Branch kicked off the Annual Campaign with Staff contributions – AND EXCEEDED their goal – in one day!  Sixty-seven staff donated $8,779 on a goal of $8,000.  The GOOD news is we still have 20 staff to ask; the BEST news is this money will go to support programs that directly impact children and families right here in our YMCA neighborhood.

Almost sixty Boroughs members gathered for Family Movie Night on the Studio 22 big screen.  Grandmas, grandpas, moms and dads and lots of children enjoyed picnics or pizza, fresh brewed coffee and healthy drinks as they watched “Enchanted”.  Stressed parents, straight from work, rushed in to meet up with their families, then relaxed, surrounded by a community of friends.  Children sat in bunches, arm in arm, small children cuddled with their mothers, babies slept, grandma’s teared up during the romantic moments, and all were happy.  As the music filled the room in the final moments of the movie, many of the children climbed up on the stage and danced.  Families left happy, and relaxed, sharing many words of thanks with the family programs team for bringing so many fun family benefits to our Y.  Being able to provide a space where a diverse group of families can gather, for no other reason than to ‘hang out’ and enjoy a free movie with their children is just another way that the Y reinforces it’s commitment to the community in a socially responsible way.

Mary is a cancer survivor who participated in the LiveStrong Program at the Greendale Family Branch.  Upon completion of the program, she realized that she could not afford a full priced family membership. Mary was advised to apply to the Y Access Program. It was determined that because of the importance of Mary’s wellness and her financial hardship, her membership rate would be reduced. We are proud that our Y Access Program has allowed her to continue to belong to our community.  Mary is not only a member, but she also volunteers her time, understanding the importance of healthy living and being socially responsible.