5 Day of Action

5 Day of Action

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The Five Days of Action is a week-long campaign designed to raise awareness and inspire all adults to take action to protect children from sexual abuse. The YMCA of Montclair is committed to the safety of the children in our community and the Five Days of Action are just one way we reinforce that commitment.

When we know how abuse can happen, see the warning signs, and respond quickly to prevent it, we foster a culture of child abuse prevention. These three habits – KNOW. SEE. RESPOND. – can change a child’s life. Learn more by reading the KNOW. SEE. RESPOND. booklet for tips on the three habits, including questions to ask the organizations serving your children about their child protection policy and hiring practices.

English KNOW.SEE.RESPOND.

Español SABER.VER.REACCIONAR.

KNOWing the facts about child sexual abuse can help you better understand what to look for and how to prevent abuse. Offenders often attempt to press boundaries and break rules.

When we SEE boundaries being crossed, rules being violated, or see signs a child is being sexually abused, we must be prepared to intervene on a child’s behalf.

If you suspect abuse, how do you RESPOND? When it comes to reporting abuse, it can be intimidating but it doesn’t have to be. If you are prepared, you will know exactly when and how to report. In New Jersey, report abuse to:

1-877 NJ ABUSE
(1-877-652-2873)
TTY 1-800-835-5510

Together we foster a culture of child abuse prevention. Find prevention tips and resources by checking out www.fivedaysofaction.org.

Three Local Residents Join the YMCA of Montclair Board

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Pictured Left to Right: Wartyna L. Davis, PhD, Susan Mazo, Elizabeth Perez

MONTCLAIR — The YMCA of Montclair is pleased to announce the addition of three new members to its board of directors, recently elected to three-year terms.

The board is composed of up to 24 members who provide oversight, help guide the nonprofit’s strategic direction, set policy, and raise support for programs and scholarships.

“I am delighted to welcome three outstanding Board members, whose experiences and background will be invaluable as we continue to build our YMCA as an anchor institution that allows individuals, families and the community to grow better and stronger, by developing spirit, mind and body and making sure that these opportunities are available to all of our neighbors,” said Chief Volunteer Officer Izumi Hara. “Excellent volunteer board leadership is critical to a vibrant, successful Y.”

The Board of Directors of the YMCA of Montclair welcomes:

• Wartyna L. Davis, PhD., Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at William Paterson University. Dr. Davis received her Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Political Science from the University of Alabama and Ph.D. in Political Science from Florida State University. In 2013, Dr. Davis decided to parlay her vast experience as an educator into public service and was elected to serve as Councilwoman at-Large for the Township of Bloomfield, New Jersey, a position she still holds. She also has the distinct honor of becoming the First African American woman and first openly LGBTQ+ council member. Dr. Davis has been a Y member for many years and her twin children swim for the Y’s Dolphins Swim Team. She is a Bloomfield resident.

• Susan Mazo is Executive Vice President Global Corporate Social Responsibility, Events and Special Projects for the Universal Music Group (UMG) where she oversees the company’s major internal and external events, special projects, and global philanthropic efforts. She also plays a key role in the company’s communication strategy. Prior to UMG, Ms. Mazo served as Senior Vice President of Communications and Marketing at Warner Music Group (WMG). She began her career at Billboard Magazine and has also held positions at Westwood One/CBS Radio and KSA Public Relations. Ms. Mazo and her family have been Y members for many years and her daughter swims for the Dolphins Swim Team. Ms. Mazo holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Delaware. She is a resident of Montclair.

• Elizabeth Perez is Vice President of Corporate Initiatives & Institutional Giving for the Girls Scouts of the USA where she built a team to support all Corporate, Foundation and Government giving. Prior to Girl Scouts USA, she held consumer relationship marketing and brand management positions at Express Scripts, Kraft Heinz and Mondelez. Ms. Perez has been a member of the Y for many years. All three of her children learned to swim at the Y and attended YMCA camps. Ms. Perez holds an MBA from Columbia University Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science degree from Boston University. She is a resident of Montclair.

President and CEO Buddy Evans said, “Our board members bring a rich and diverse breadth of experience, skills and perspective to our Y. They want to make a difference in their community and in the lives of individuals and families. We are fortunate to have them on board.”

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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, Montclair, Verona, and West Milford. For more information, please visit montclairymca.org.

Updated Mask Policy

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Dear YMCA of Montclair Community,
As you may be aware, the CDC has issued guidance that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to wear masks or social distance indoors or outdoors, except under certain circumstances. Citing New Jersey’s improving health statistics and vaccination rates, Governor Phil Murphy is lifting the indoor mask mandate and social distancing rules for those who are fully vaccinated beginning Friday, May 28.  
These changes do not apply to programming at the Geyer Family YMCA, after-school programs, summer camps, and indoor programming for youth age 11 and under. We follow the protocol mandated by the NJ Office of Licensing and Montclair Dept. of Health for these programs. Y staff and children 2 years and older will continue to wear masks in these settings.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR MEMBERS VISITING 
 THE PARK STREET YMCA? 
MASK WEARING 
As of May 28, members who are fully vaccinated will no longer be required to wear masks.
Fully vaccinated is defined as:  
  •  2 weeks after the second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or  
  •  2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine   
If you do not meet the above requirements, you are NOT considered fully vaccinated and therefore are required to continue to wear a mask when inside a YMCA facility. Children age 11 and under and Y staff working with children at Park Street will continue to wear masks indoors. 
We are counting on the integrity of our Y community to follow this guidance based on their vaccination status. 
In honoring our Y core values (Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility) and respecting your fellow Y members, please remember individuals may continue to wear a mask because they are mid-vaccine, unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons, or as an extra precaution. 
Please respect everyone’s masking choice. 
 
If you have any questions regarding the mask policy while accessing the facility, please see a Member Engagement Representative at our Welcome Center. 
TEMPERATURE CHECKS AND WELLNESS SCREENS 
The Montclair Department of Health no longer requires temperature checks or wellness screens. We will no longer require these at the Park Street YMCA.  
SOCIAL DISTANCING 
Our 6 feet spaced Group Ex classes and gym machine layout will remain for the time being. 
RESERVATION SYSTEM 
Group Ex and Aquatics will continue to operate through our MotionVibe reservation system.  
ENHANCED CLEANING PROTOCOLS 
Our Y will continue to adhere to enhanced cleaning protocols, including electrostatic spray, utilization of AirPHX air filtration, etc. The Y will continue to close between 1-3 PM daily (except for Senior Hour from 1-2 PM) for deep cleaning.  
CAPACITY  
Workout areas are no longer limited based on capacity, and do not require a reservation. Aquatics classes and swim lanes will soon have updated guidelines for capacity – stay tuned for more detailed information in the coming days.  
EMPLOYEES 
Our Park Street staff will continue to wear masks while we determine updated staff policies and procedures over the next few days. Vaccinated staff will have the same choices as members. 
Camp, childcare, and afterschool care staff will continue to wear masks per the Office of Licensing and Dept of Health, regardless of vaccination status. 
The safety of our members, participants, and staff remains our top priority. We will continue to uphold COVID-19 safety guidelines from the CDC and Montclair Department of Health.  
IMPORTANT INFORMATION 
  • COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing COVID-19 disease, especially severe illness and death.  
  • COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of people spreading COVID-19. There is information showing it is unlikely a vaccinated person who becomes infected with the coronavirus transmits it to someone else.  
  • If you have symptoms of COVID-19, or if you are sick, you should stay home. 
We appreciate your care and respect for your fellow Y members as we continue to work together to maintain the safest environment possible. 

Indoor Mask Requirement

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Dear YMCA of Montclair Community,

In light of the CDC’s recent announcement of their changing guidance regarding mask wearing for vaccinated adults, we would like to provide an update on our Y’s policies.

​The improving COVID rate in New Jersey is good news for all of us in the Garden State. As you may be aware, Governor Murphy has lifted the mask mandate for outdoors only. This means that at our outdoor group exercise classes, mask-wearing will not be required.
However, in New Jersey, masks must continue to be worn indoors regardless of vaccination status.

We are working closely with the Montclair Department of Health, which is the licensing body for our Y. Their current guidance is that everyone over two years old must wear a mask indoors at all times. The YMCA of Montclair continues to require that everyone in our Y, whether or not they are vaccinated, wear a mask at all times while in our Y facilities.

At such a time when this guidance is changed, we will communicate with our members any updates in our policy via email, newsletter, Motionvibe, and on our website.

Thank you for continuing to adhere to the YMCA of Montclair’s health and safety policies enacted to protect our staff and our members. For an overview of our Y’s COVID protocols, please visit our website. We know that by continuing to use caution and adhere to the guidance of our local health officials we can continue to reduce COVID-19 rates in our community.

With thanks,

Ann-Margaret Gutierrez
Vice President of Operations

2021 Annual Meeting

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The YMCA of Montclair invites the public to our Virtual Annual Meeting on Zoom.
Registration is required.

We hope you will join us!

2020 IN REVIEW & A LOOK AHEAD TO 2021
Serving our community through the generosity of our donors.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Strengthening our volunteer leadership

DAWN MCFADDEN LEADERSHIP AWARD
Recognizing our staff


REGISTER TODAY!

Team Up Montclair and Montclair United Soccer Club Provide an Assist to the YMCA of Montclair’s Playground Campaign

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Montclair, NJ — The YMCA of Montclair is pleased to announce a $5,313 contribution from Team Up Montclair and Montclair United Soccer Club towards the Y’s fundraising goal to build an inclusive playground. This planned colorful and creative playground located at the Geyer Family Y will be available to children attending Y programming, as well as families living in the neighborhood. Montclair United Soccer Club and Team Up Montclair are helping to close the fundraising gap and bring the Y closer than ever to breaking ground on this project.

“Team Up Montclair, along with Montclair United Soccer Club, are proud to partner with the YMCA of Montclair in support of the neighborhood playground at the Y’s Geyer Family Branch” said Linda Bowers, President and Co-founder of Team Up Montclair. “Team Up Montclair is dedicated to supporting, promoting and growing our community’s commitment to health and fitness, as well as its rich legacy of sports, recreation, and sportsmanship. One area of our focus is sponsoring safe and appropriate recreation facilities for under-served groups within the Montclair community. This opportunity under the umbrella of the YMCA of Montclair’s commitment to providing outstanding recreational athletic and fitness opportunities to all residents of Montclair and the surrounding areas is a natural fit. We are thrilled to be part of the village helping to bring this project over the finish line and look forward to seeing the playground in action this fall!”

Thanks to two matching challenges offered by Rao’s Homemade and the Placek Family, this contribution will have three times the impact. “We are so grateful to our friends at Team Up Montclair and Montclair United,” said Buddy Evans, YMCA of Montclair President and CEO. “This gift will not only help us get to our fundraising finish line but is also helping our Y to meet the challenges set by Rao’s Homemade and the Placek Family. This is a fantastic example of the way Montclair comes together to help make change possible.”

Rao’s Homemade and the Placek Family have challenged the community to raise $15,000 by May 31st. Each dollar contributed will be matched by Rao’s and by the Placeks. If you are interested in learning more about this playground project, please visit https://www.montclairymca.org/giving/playground-appeal/ or call 973-559-9285.

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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, Montclair, Verona, and West Milford. For more information, please visit montclairymca.org.

ABOUT MONTCLAIR UNITED SOCCER CLUB The Montclair United Soccer Club — a self-funded, charitable, not-for-profit organization — sponsors extensive programs of recreational and travel soccer for boys and girls from Montclair and neighboring communities in northern Essex County, New Jersey. Visit the website at https://www.montclairsoccer.com or call (973) 783-MUSC (6872) or e-mail us at contact@montclairsoccer.com for information.