News and Announcements

Brave Space Community Dialogue

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The YMCA of Montclair is hosting a series of community conversations on diversity, inclusion, and equity. The discussions are led by the YMCA of Montclair's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Chair Dr. Laura Quiros, Ph.D., LMSW.

We live in a time of complex trauma stemming from societal violence and natural disasters. Through dialogue, we seek to recognize that all of our struggles are intimately connected and that we must work together to create the kind of world we know is possible. Come prepared to discuss what an anti-racist community looks and feels like. What action steps do we need to get there?

As a movement, the YMCA denounces prejudice, racism, and all forms of discrimination because we believe that we are stronger together. Black lives matter.

Brave Space Community Dialogue sessions are held over Zoom. The community is invited to join via our general e-newsletter and Facebook event. This is a free event, registration is required.

RESOURCES

September 9 Brave Space Audio

August 13 Brave Space Audio

July 28 Brave Space Audio

July 8 Brave Space Audio

July 1 Y-USA African American CEOs virtual town hall on Unlearning Systemic Racism.

June 19 Juneteenth Brave Space Audio

 

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YMCA of Montclair Opens Early Learning Center

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Montclair, NJ (June 12, 2020) – The YMCA of Montclair, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, announces the opening of its new Early Learning Center on July 1, 2020. The YMCA of Montclair’s Early Learning Center is conducting a soft opening on June 15 with families from its existing waiting list.

The YMCA of Montclair’s Early Learning Center is located within the Geyer Family YMCA at 159 Glenridge Avenue in Montclair, NJ. The Early Learning Center will serve 44 children during COVID-19 restrictions but has the capacity to serve up to 132 once those restrictions are lifted. The program offers full-day child care for children 3 months to 4 years old.
The Y has offered emergency child care at the Geyer Family YMCA since the end of March and its staff is trained and experienced in all COVID-19 protocols and procedures.
“We are excited to open an Early Learning Center that will support families in Montclair and surrounding communities,” said Buddy Evans, President and CEO of the YMCA of Montclair. “The Y is committed to nurturing children by providing experiences that help youth grow and develop into confident, caring, happy, and healthy individuals.”
“The YMCA Early Learning programs are rooted in the Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility and paired with the Creative Curriculum educational framework,” said Justine Biendon, Early Learning Center Director. “The Y creates intentional Learn Through Play experiences designed to develop a child’s potential through creative, intellectual, emotional, social, and physical skills while they grow.”
Children learn best through interaction and exploration because play supports educational activities. The YMCA early learning programs are guided by the Healthy Kids Initiative, an intentional strategy to expose all youth to healthy eating, nutrition, and physical activity while in the Y’s care in order to achieve equitable health outcomes for both young people and their families.
The Y’s early childhood learning programs, which have earned national accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, give kids the chance to explore freely through:
  • STEM activities that help with math and science comprehension
  • arts and humanities projects that develop fine motor skills
  • physical activities and nutritious food to encourage healthy habits
  • swimming and water safety classes in a guarded environment
  • enrichment opportunities, including music & movement classes and an introduction to languages like Spanish or American Sign Language
Please note swim and language will be added at a later date due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The Y offers a warm and welcoming environment in which every child can thrive. Most importantly, children have a place to grow with the guidance of caring adults while their parents are at work.
Parents who are interested in the program should complete the interest form online. The YMCA offers financial assistance to cover the cost of tuition for child care for those needing help. YMCA membership is not required to enroll. For more information, visit the Y’s website at https://www.montclairymca.org/early-learning-center/.
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ABOUT YMCA OF MONTCLAIR
The YMCA of Montclair was founded in 1891 and is a nonprofit organization that welcomes all people. The Y offers need-based financial assistance for programs and membership and school-aged childcare to residents of Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, Clifton, Glen Ridge, Montclair, and Verona. The Y also offers financial assistance for camp to residents of Bloomingdale, Haskell, and West Milford. Members benefit from healthy lifestyle-related core programs, including aquatics, childcare, day camp, family activities, health and wellness, sports, and teen programs. For more information, please visit montclairymca.org.

A Message Regarding Racial Justice and Equity

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Dear Community,

This is a painful and traumatic time. Our nation once again, has been shaken by the death of an African American man, this time in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of George Floyd, and our colleagues at the YMCA Twin Cities as their community grapples with the aftermath of his death. This death deepens the sorrow of a nation already shocked and in mourning following the murders of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade and so many before.

This past weekend, many marched and more bore witness to the anger, frustration, and fear of decades of injustice. We all have a role to play in our personal and professional commitments to changing systemic and anti-black racism in our community. Helping others reach their fullest potential is our mission at the YMCA of Montclair. We are a diverse community that strives for inclusion and equity while knowing there is always work to do. Our commitment to equity calls on us to listen to the pain of living in a society where your humanity is not always valued; speak up during those moments that feel most uncomfortable; and to make a commitment to sincerely confront systemic racism.

Ways to get involved:
Resources for children include:
Readings for parents/caregivers: Beyond Golden Rule; MLK Day Race Justice

Let us not remain silent in words or actions as we work to create a more equitable community where ALL of our children can learn, grow, and thrive.

Sincerely,

Buddy Evans
President and CEO

Izumi Hara
Board Chair

Laura Quiros
Chair, Diversity, Equity Inclusion Committee

YMCA of Montclair Begins Food Distribution Program to Meet Community Need

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Montclair, NJ (June 1, 2020) – The YMCA of Montclair is helping to feed people who are facing financial hardships during the COVID-19 health crisis.

The Y has partnered with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and the Seashore Fruit and Produce Co., Inc. to distribute boxes of fresh produce and shelf-stable pantry food to families and seniors in the greater Montclair area.

The Y received its first delivery of 300 emergency food boxes on Thursday, May 28, and distributed those boxes on Friday, May 29 to approximately 60 families who are experiencing food insecurity. The distribution took place at the Y’s Park Street Branch.
According to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, in a recent Monmouth University poll, the coronavirus outbreak has made a major impact on the lives of 7 in 10 New Jerseyans (71%).

“The YMCA of Montclair and our partners, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and Seashore Fruit and Produce Co., Inc., seek to address the urgent needs in our community that has been magnified by the pandemic. Food insecurity is an immediate danger to the health of individuals and families,” said Buddy Evans, President and CEO of the YMCA of Montclair. “We all must do our part to help others.”

The YMCA of Montclair plans to continue working with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and the Seashore Fruit and Produce Co., Inc. in the coming weeks to distribute additional food boxes to residents of the greater Montclair community. Future distribution dates will be announced.

“The economic impact of the pandemic has struck every community across the state, and the need for food assistance has never been greater,” said Carlos Rodriguez, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “We are grateful for the YMCA of Montclair and all of our partners, who make our work possible and whose efforts in the fight against hunger are more critical during this crisis than ever before.”

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ABOUT YMCA OF MONTCLAIR
The YMCA of Montclair was founded in 1891 and is a nonprofit organization that welcomes all people. The Y offers need-based financial assistance for programs and membership and school-aged childcare to residents of Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, Clifton, Glen Ridge, Montclair, and Verona. The Y also offers financial assistance for camp to residents of Bloomingdale, Haskell, and West Milford. Members benefit from healthy lifestyle-related core programs, including aquatics, childcare, day camp, family activities, health and wellness, sports, and teen programs. For more information, please visit montclairymca.org.

ABOUT COMMUNITY FOODBANK OF NEW JERSEY
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), a member of Feeding America®, has been delivering food, help and hope across the state for 45 years. Last year, CFBNJ provided nutritious food for over 50 million meals through its network of more than 1,000 community partners including pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, mobile pantries, and child and senior feeding programs throughout the 12 New Jersey counties it serves (Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Union). For our hungry neighbors, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey is the powerful agent of change that fills the emptiness caused by hunger and provides resources that are essential to earning a sustainable living.

YMCA Regular Summer Day Camps Canceled

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On Friday, May 22, the YMCA of Montclair announced the difficult decision to cancel our 12 regularly scheduled summer day camps. Based on the current requirements for emergency child care, we could not run our traditional camp season, held in many locations, and ensure the health and safety of our campers, and our staff. We are deeply saddened by this decision, one that was not made lightly, but we are confident that this is the right choice as we consider the health and safety risk factors still present in our community.

We are tentatively planning for a limited capacity camp for 4-10 year-olds at our Geyer Family and Park Street branches. There we would be able to manage camper/staff ratios, cleaning, and safety checks required by current emergency child care protocols. If the State of New Jersey decides that camp cannot be held this year, we will not offer any this summer.  We hope to welcome back all our campers for a happy return in 2021.

YMCA of Montclair Welcomes New Board Members

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The YMCA of Montclair welcomes Valerie Allusson, MD and Kevin Dibble, JD to our Board of Directors.

 

Valerie Allusson, MD is the Chief Medical Officer of Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair. Dr. Allusson graduated Magna cum Laude with a Doctor of Medicine from the Université de Paris Sud, is board certified in internal medicine completing her residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and holds a Masters in Medical Management from Carnegie Melon University.

 

 

 

Kevin M. Dibble, JD, is the Senior Legal Counsel responsible for transactional and related legal matters, and Managing Director in charge of investment oversight team at Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP. Mr. Dribble received his Juris Doctor from Cornell Law School and his Bachelor of Science Degree in Management from State University of New York at Geneseo.