At the Y, we believe all children deserve the opportunity to discover who they are, and what they can achieve. From School Age Child Care to Youth Sports to summer camp, the Y works to ensure children have safe, fun-filled experiences all year-round.

The safety and well-being of children in the care of our Y is, and always will be, our top priority. During April – Child Abuse Prevention Month – Y’s across the country participate 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.

The Five Days of Action enforces critically important habits – KNOW. SEE. RESPOND. – which enables us to understand how and when abuse happens, recognize the signs of abuse, and quickly and appropriately respond to it. When we embrace these habits, we foster a culture of child abuse prevention – a culture of happy and healthy children. 

At the YMCA of Montclair, all YMCA School Age Child Care (SACC) employees and Early Learning Center staff are:

• fingerprinted
• undergo background checks, including sexual abuse registry screenings
• sign Child Abuse Record Information (CARI) forms

All YMCA of Montclair staff receive in-person and virtual annual child abuse prevention training. As a Praesidium Accredited® organization, the YMCA of Montclair upholds additional policies and procedures to create safe spaces for children and teens in our facilities.

Follow the links below to learn about more helpful resources from organizations that share the Y’s commitment to the safety of children.

• Recognize Abuse and its Warning Signs
• How to Respond to Child Abuse

Five Days of Action is an initiative of the YMCA Champions for Child Protection, with support from YMCA of the USA.

Free and open to the public, this annual event features fun-filled activities to celebrate kids being kids.

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The YMCA of Montclair invites families to Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 27, 2024. The event theme is “A Day At The Y” and will take place from 12:00-3:00pm at the Geyer Family YMCA, located at 159 Glenridge Avenue in Montclair. Geared towards children aged PreK through 13, this free annual event encourages healthy kids, healthy families, and a healthy start to the summer season. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Locally sponsored by Fette Auto, Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Hospital, Milner Technologies, Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris, and nationally by Peanuts, Healthy Kids Day will feature a range of family-friendly activities, including Arts & Crafts, Games & Sports, DJ, the Kona Ice Truck, Montclair Fire Truck, and more!

Families will receive a ‘passport’ that will be stamped as they move through each activity station. 

“At the Y, we believe in providing resources to families, so children have access to what they need to reach their full potential,” said Buddy Evans, YMCA of Montclair President and CEO. “Healthy Kids Day is a fun, free event that encourages families to take advantage of all the great resources the Y offers.”

Registration for Healthy Kids Day is required at https://www.montclairymca.org/healthy-kids-day/.

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ABOUT THE YMCA OF MONTCLAIR
Established in 1891, the YMCA of Montclair welcomes all. We are a nonprofit that strengthens individuals, families, and community by developing spirit, mind, and body. Working locally, we focus on empowering young people, improving health and well-being, and inspiring action in and across communities. Serving Bloomfield, Bloomingdale, Clifton, Cedar Grove, Glen Ridge, Haskell, Hewitt, Montclair, Verona, Wanaque, and West Milford. For more information, please visit montclairymca.org.

MONTCLAIR, NJ  – The YMCA of Montclair Dolphins have reached the half-way mark for the season with a clean sweep in girls and boys dual meets, outstanding results in invitational events and with dozens of younger swimmers getting their first taste of competition.

The Dolphins have raced and won four dual meets so far this season. The girls team took on the West Essex YMCA team and the boys raced against Greater Morristown- and the boys and girls competed with Wayne Blue Streaks. The boys and girls have one more dual meet each this season. The girls will face off against Sussex County Y and the boys against West Morris Y, with both meets at home on Jan. 6.

The whole squad has had a busy competitive swim schedule, with many swimmers racing at six invitational meets since the short-course season kicked off in October, including three meets in December.

“We’ve had some tremendous results and growth on the team,” said Director of Competitive Aquatics Kyle Laracy.

“What I’m most proud of is the large number of swimmers that have participated across all of our age groups, and every swimmer’s individual improvement so far. We had nearly 75 swimmers under the age of 10 at the recent GMY Blizzard Invitational meet at the Greater Morristown Y, for example. I’m very excited about the future of our program!”

Kyle, who has been coaching with the Dolphins for four years and is leading the team through his first full short-course season, is aiming to improve on the number of swimmers that compete in the short-course championships this year from last year. The championships mark the climax of the season in February and March, and are divided into YMCA Bronze/Silver/State meets. The swimmers aim to make qualifying cuts to enter those meets at competitions throughout the season.

So far, 7 swimmers have made state YMCA championship times, 15 have made YMCA silver times and 75 swimmers have made first YMCA bronze times.

Maeve D’Amico (Cedar Grove), Marcel and Toby Arbelaez (Montclair) have made YMCA 12/under states for the 9-10-year-old age group, Kelly Labonne (Verona), Gabriel Espiritu (Bloomfield) and Joshua Stokes (Glen Ridge) for the 11-12 group. Magnolia Shimizu-Tragni (Montclair) made YMCA 13/over states in the 13-14-year-old age group.

The team also has 26 swimmers who have already made qualifying times for Sunkissed Invitational Junior/Senior Championships in North Carolina in March. That is up from the squad of 20 that competed last year, and more swimmers will likely make the mark as they compete in the remaining events for the seasons.

Congratulations to all the swimmers that have made YMCA Bronze/Silver/States and Sunkissed times!

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ABOUT THE YMCA OF MONTCLAIR DOLPHINS
The YMCA of Montclair Dolphins swim team offers a year-round opportunity for competitive swimming in both YMCA and USA Swimming competitions as well as seasonal instructional clinics for aspiring competitive athletes. The team is comprised of girls and boys from age 6 through high school. Around 190 athletes are on the squad this year. They compete at all levels, based on their skill set. Learn more at https://www.montclairymca.org/aquatics/dolphins-swim-team/.

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The YMCA of Montclair has been awarded Praesidium Accreditation® by Praesidium, the leader in abuse risk management. Praesidium Accreditation® is a prestigious honor that publicly demonstrates the organization has worked to achieve the highest industry standards in safety and abuse prevention.

“At the YMCA of Montclair, safeguarding the wellbeing of children in our care is not just a duty, it is our heartfelt commitment, said Buddy Evans, President and CEO. “We create an environment where every child can reach their full potential in a safe and nurturing setting. This accreditation is validation that safety is not just a priority – it is a core value woven into every aspect of our operations.”

To achieve Accreditation, the YMCA of Montclair underwent a rigorous process to implement Praesidium’s Accreditation Standards focusing on eight primary operational areas within their business: policies, screening and selection, training, monitoring and supervision, consumer participation, internal feedback systems, responding, and administrative practices. Praesidium then verified the YMCA of Montclair’s successful implementation of these standards.

The YMCA of Montclair will be accredited for three years, and during this time will commit to uphold fundamental organizational values and stringent safety practices that demonstrate their commitment to protecting those in their care from abuse.

The initiative to obtain Praesidium Accreditation® was led by Tammy Como, Executive Director of Aquatics and Risk Management. This year, Ms. Como achieved certification as a Certified Praesidium Guardian (CPG) by Praesidium. Professionals who have attained this designation have demonstrated a commitment to creating a culture of safety through risk management and best practices in sexual abuse prevention.

“I am proud of our team that worked diligently to meet the standards required for accreditation,” said Como. “Praesidium Accreditation enables our Y to strengthen our prevention efforts and provide resources, tools, and training to make a difference in the lives of youth in our facilities and programs.”

The Y maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward child abuse and endangerment. To learn more about what the YMCA of Montclair does to protect children, visit https://www.montclairymca.org/child-protection/.

Photo: Pictured left to right is YMCA of Montclair’s Tammy Como, Executive Director of Aquatics and Risk Management and Buddy Evans, President and CEO with the Praesidium Accreditation Certificate and Award.

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About the YMCA of Montclair
Established in 1891, the YMCA of Montclair welcomes all. We are a nonprofit that strengthens individuals, families, and community by developing spirit, mind, and body. We focus on healthy living, social responsibility, and youth development. Serving Bloomfield, Bloomingdale, Clifton, Cedar Grove, Glen Ridge, Haskell, Hewitt, Montclair, Verona, Wanaque, and West Milford. For more information, please visit montclairymca.org.

About Praesidium
Praesidium specializes in preventing sexual abuse in organizations that serve youth and vulnerable adults. Over a period in excess of 30 years, the company has reviewed over 4,000 cases of abuse within organizations to determine the root causes of sexual abuse within organizational settings. Praesidium employs more than 50 staff, including licensed social workers, lawyers, health care researchers, and other experts. The company has served over 5,000 clients with a broad range of products and services to aid organizations in preventing abuse, including online and instructor–led trainings, organizational risk assessments, model policies, and background checks. Having trained more than one million people online and hundreds of thousands in person, Praesidium is the largest and most comprehensive sexual abuse risk management firm globally. For more information visit www.PraesidiumInc.com.

 

[Photo pictured top row left to right Allyn Molina and Lauren Sylvain; bottom row left to right David Seawell and Shannon Siwinski]

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The YMCA of Montclair is pleased to announce the addition of four new members to its Board of Directors, recently elected to three-year terms while bidding farewell to several outgoing members who have made significant contributions to the Y’s mission.

“The YMCA of Montclair’s board is comprised of community leaders who bring a wealth of experience, diverse skills, and perspectives, vision, and leadership to our organization, along with a deep passion for making a difference in the communities we serve,” said Chief Volunteer Officer Marjorie Pierre-Merritt. “I am grateful to our departing board members who have dedicated their time and expertise to our community, and I am delighted to welcome four outstanding new board members to the Y.”

The Board of Directors of the YMCA of Montclair welcomes:

Allyn Molina (Bloomfield) is the Group Vice President, Publishing at Wiley Publishing where she manages publishing development for 2000 research journals. Ms. Molina has previously served on the board of the Sanctuary on the Green Alliance. Ms. Molina holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Maryland.

Shannon Siwinski (Montclair) is a Managing Director at R. Seelaus & Co. Ms. Siwinski is a senior short-term fixed-income trader with 30+ years’ experience serving the treasury funding requirements of many of the world’s largest global corporations. Ms. Siwinski has volunteered with the Mercier Club of Montclair as well as local Montclair PTAs and athletic organizations. Ms. Siwinski is an active alumnus with Fairfield University, having served as president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Ms. Siwinski holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology.

Lauren Sylvain (West Orange) is the Senior Director, External Manufacturing at Sovos Brands. Ms. Sylvain is a project management leader with 15+ years of experience in the areas of new product development and technical strategy. She has served on school advisory boards and as a mentor. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Jack & Jill of America, Inc. Ms. Sylvain holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University.

David Seawell (Montclair) is a former Public Defender with 10 years of criminal trial and 4 years of supervisory experience. Mr. Seawell has served on the board for the Legal Counsel for Youth and Children as a member and Board President and currently serves on the Carolyn W. and Charles T. Beaird Family Foundation. He also served as a youth baseball coach. Mr. Seawell received his Juris Doctor from the University of Denver and a Bachelor of Arts in Writing and Philosophy from DePauw University.

In addition to welcoming new board members, the YMCA of Montclair is also taking this moment to thank our departing board members. We thank Risa Cretella, David Harrison, and Tad Roselund for their dedicated service and impactful contributions, especially during the pandemic, in positioning the YMCA of Montclair to thrive and grow.

President and CEO Buddy Evans said, “We strive to have the best executive talent and thought leaders at the top of our organization. Our Board of Directors are a highly diverse group with the expertise, integrity and dedication required for the good governance of the YMCA for all the communities that we serve.”

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ABOUT THE YMCA OF MONTCLAIR
Established in 1891, the YMCA of Montclair welcomes all. We are a nonprofit that strengthens individuals, families, and community by developing spirit, mind, and body. We focus on healthy living, social responsibility, and youth development. Serving Bloomfield, Bloomingdale, Clifton, Cedar Grove, Glen Ridge, Haskell, Hewitt, Montclair, Verona, Wanaque, and West Milford. For more information, please visit montclairymca.org.

The YMCA of Montclair Dolphins have been back in action over the past two weekends as the short-course swim season gets underway, with the youngest swimmers in a thrilling first swim meet of the season at the Pumpkin Chill 10 and Under Invite on October 8, hosted by perennial national Y champion Lakeland Hills Family YMCA. The Dolphins had 47 swimmers competing, many of them in competitive action for the Dolphins at a YMCA swim meet for the first time.

The team was led by returning and accomplished Dolphins such as Toby and Marcel Arbelaez, Maeve D’Amico, Lilliana Ferrante, Simon Firth, Chloe Fritzky, Sophia Landrove, Clare Laracy, Daphne Razo, and Aiden Stopp, who were all top 6 finishers in individual events. The competition culminated with some close and exciting relay races!

The meet came just over a week after 140 swimmers raced in time trials at the YMCA Montclair on September 30. The Dolphins start the season with a squad of 190 swimmers, including around 65 new members. The team will race against other North Jersey YMCA teams in dual meets starting this weekend and in more invitational events like the Pumpkin Chill throughout the season. The girls squad takes on the West Essex YMCA on Saturday, October 14, while the boys squad races against Greater Morristown YMCA.

“It’s great to see so many new swimmers, especially the young swimmers,” Head Coach Kyle Laracy said. “They all did great. We are gearing up for more invitational and dual meets beginning this weekend.”

Kyle, who has been coaching with the Dolphins for four years, will lead the team through his first full short-course competition as head coach since taking on the job in June. Kyle already had a successful summer season with 12 swimmers at the Gold Championships compared to 4 last year and 41 in the Bronze/Silver Championships, up from 25 a year ago.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to work with a great, diverse team of coaching staff, with the parent group and within the community,” Kyle said. “Competitive swimming offers an unparalleled opportunity for each child to develop and has tremendous physical benefits. I want them to meet their personal goals in swimming and, by doing so, develop character traits that will serve them for the rest of their lives as a lifetime of competitive swimming has done for me.”

Submitted by Dolphin Parent Volunteer Simon Webb

Pictured in photo: Coach Maddie and Director of Competitive Aquatics Kyle Laracy