Cindy Coppola has 27 years of experience working with children, 18 of those years as a preschool owner/director. Cindy has her BA in Education and Human Services from Montclair State University. She enjoys a veganism lifestyle and is a dedicated animal welfare advocate. She and her husband have been volunteers for The Clifton Animal Shelter for 7 years. In her spare time, she enjoys fitness and yoga and often includes these activities into the children’s schedules. Cindy is looking forward to being our headteacher!
Cindy Coppola
Meghan Chell
Meghan is a mother of 3 children ages 13, 12, and 10. She has been working for the YMCA of Montclair since 1997. The Y has been a huge part of her life and it is where her children have grown up. Over the years, she has had many different roles working with children ages 6 months to 13 years. She was an Aquatics Director from 2003 – 2013 at our Washington Street Branch and then moved over to School Age Childcare overseeing the Verona and Cedar Grove Elementary Schools. In 2013, she decided to take some time off to stay home with my children. Eventually, she returned part-time as a teacher in the preschool readiness, arts and science programs, as well as, an aquatics instructor. Meghan excited to be making a return to full time working in our new Early Learning Center and taking on this new role.
Justine Biedon
With over 20 years’ experience in Youth Development with the YMCA movement, I am excited to be back where my passion lies in an Early Learning environment. Since I started my Y career as a teacher in a 4-year-old class, I love to be hands-on within the Center, visiting, and/or assisting in classrooms throughout the day. I have my BA from Fairleigh Dickinson University in English and have held Child Care Director’s Credentials in both New Jersey and Florida. I am a proud mom of a 12-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son.
2020 Annual Meeting
The YMCA of Montclair invites the public to our Virtual Annual Meeting on Zoom.
Registration is required.
We hope you will join us!
2019 IN REVIEW
Foundational Changes in 2019 Made the Y Stronger in 2020 THE YMCA OF MONTCLAIR PIVOTS MARCH 2020
Serving Our Community During a Pandemic OUR STRATEGIC PLAN
Activating Communities for Good
Click Here to View REGISTER TODAY!
YMCA of Montclair to Reopen Park Street YMCA at 25% Capacity
YMCA OF MONTCLAIR TO REOPEN PARK STREET YMCA AT 25% CAPACITY
[Montclair, NJ] After closing its facilities on March 13 due to COVID-19 safety concerns, the YMCA of Montclair will reopen its Park Street Branch to its members at 25% capacity with advanced registration.
Since July, the YMCA of Montclair has offered a phased program rollout of limited outdoor group exercise, personal training, swim, and most recently, individual gym access. Safety is the Y’s priority. Mask wearing, temperature checks, and physical distancing have been and are required.
“The YMCA of Montclair has served our community for 130 years, during many challenging times, although perhaps none as impactful for our community and our Y as the COVID crisis,” said Buddy Evans, President and CEO of the YMCA of Montclair. “We are thrilled to be able to reopen our Park Street YMCA at 25% capacity, welcome back our members, and help them get stronger and healthier.”
The YMCA of Montclair, following guidelines from health experts and local officials, has implemented deep cleaning practices to sanitize rooms, gym equipment, and surfaces. With a grant from the Hyde and Watson Foundation, two airPHX systems have been purchased and installed to improve air quality in the building. The airPHX continuously oxidizes molecules eradicating pathogens at a cellular level. The HVAC system has been thoroughly cleaned, HEPA filters replaced, and air flushed with our system pulling outside air into the building.
“We closed our facilities quickly in March to protect the health and well-being of our staff, volunteers, members, and community. We reopen with the same commitment to safety,” said Evans.
Members can register for group exercise, personal training, swim, and individual gym access through the Y’s MotionVibe platform. Additional phases of reopening will include youth programming and swim lessons. More information on current and future programming will be available on the Y’s website www.montclairymca.org.
“Our Y has always been more than a building. Our Y is about people — from all backgrounds and walks of life — coming together to improve their lives, nurture their families and strengthen their community,” said Evans. “We are grateful to the people who stood by us throughout these challenging times. You were here for us when we needed you most, so we can remain here for you and our community.”
For more information about reopening, membership reactivation, and program registration, visit www.montclairymca.org.
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ABOUT YMCA OF MONTCLAIR
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, Montclair, Verona, and West Milford. For more information, please visit montclairymca.org.
Learning Enrichment Community
(Montclair, NJ) In September, the YMCA of Montclair will launch a new Learning Enrichment Community (LEC) program at the Geyer Family YMCA offering in-person support to help families with remote school requirements and provide a supervised space for kids during the day.
“We understand these are uncertain times and many families are worried how they are going to work and support their children during remote virtual learning days,” said YMCA President and CEO Buddy Evans. “We have been helping parents since the start of the pandemic by providing childcare for essential workers and a summer camp experience. As a community partner, we want to continue assisting families. We believe it is important for all children to have access to the resources they need to succeed.”
Trained and certified staff will facilitate online learning during remote school hours. Students must bring their laptop/tablet, virtual learning schedule, and login/password. Students will also engage in enrichment activities such as STEAM, Healthy U, CATCH, sports, and outdoor play.
As a state-licensed program, the Y works closely with the local health department to meet CDC COVID-19 guidelines. The Learning Enrichment Community program begins on the first day of school after Labor Day and will continue until school districts can reopen fully. Financial assistance is available for families in need.
“The YMCA is a national leader in childcare. As an organization dedicated to youth development, we know how important it is that our children have a supervised and enriching environment for learning,” said Lisa Aulisi, Vice-President of Youth Development. “Since March, the Y has implemented physical distancing, mask-wearing, sanitizing, temperature checks, and health screenings in our childcare and camp programs. We look forward to seeing our kids again this fall.”
For more information regarding tuition and registration, visit www.montclairymca.org/lec or contact Lisa Aulisi, Vice-President of Youth Development at laulisi@montclairymca.org.
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ABOUT YMCA OF MONTCLAIR
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, Montclair, Verona, and West Milford. For more information, please visit montclairymca.org.