Rhode Island YMCAs Host Advocacy Day 2010

Volunteer and employed leaders of the six YMCAs in The Ocean State gathered at the State Capitol in Providence on April 14th for Rhode Island YMCA Advocacy Day. High School students, enrolled in the Champion Our Students law mentoring program of the Greater Providence YMCA joined with the YMCA leaders in telling the YMCA story to the state senators and representatives in the Rhode Island General Assembly. Champion Our Students is funded through the federal Department of Justice and the American Bar Association.

Busy Beavers At YMCA Camp Mohawk

A colony of American Beavers (Castor canadensis) nightly builds dams on a pond on the YMCA Camp Mohawk property, resulting in the flooding of the camp's entrance road and sports fields. Camp Mohawk YMCA Camp Director Patrick Marchand used a John Deere backhoe one morning this week to break up the dam.

Regional YMCA Welcomes New Board Members

The Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut this month welcomed ten individuals to the Association's governing board.
Front Row (L-R) - Vivian Maletzky, Joni Park, Marge Davidson, Elio Petta; Second Row (L-R) - Bryan Luizzi, Steve Polizzi, Scott Shockley, Michael Daglio, John Phelan, Shawn Palmer.

Stamford Family YMCA Ribbon-Cutting

Formed in 1868 and Transformed in 2010, the Stamford Family YMCA re-opened on March 23rd with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its 909 Washington Boulevard facility.
Pictured (L-R) are: Connecticut State Representative Patricia Billie Miller (145th Assembly District), Connecticut State Representative Gerald M. Fox, Assistant Majority Leader (146th Assembly District), Stamford Mayor Michael Pavia, Stamford YMCA Executive Director Mark Ketley, Connecticut State Senator Andrew J. McDonald, Deputy Majority Leader, and Stamford YMCA Chief Volunteer Officer Tom Albee.

YMCA Brand Revitalization

Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut CVO Bob Belden and Board Member Mark Propper discussed with YMCA of the USA National Executive Director Neil Nicoll the details of the YMCA of the USA's brand revitalization, governance re-structuring and membership standards amendments at a recent regional educational forum conducted in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut Immediate Past CVO Michael Matson served on the YMCA of the USA's Governance Review Task Force.

Soundview Family YMCA Takes Shape

The Central Connecticut Coast YMCA's newest branch facility - the Soundview Family YMCA Branch in North Branford, Connecticut - is taking shape. Branch Executive Doug Shaw is looking forward to a summer opening.

Darien YMCA Advances PHC / RWJF Initiative

The Darien Community YMCA is advancing its planning as a Pioneering Healthier Communities YMCA, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The YMCA has assembled a community team comprised of (L-R) - Kathy Risley, YMCA Special Needs Director; Terrie Wood, Connecticut State Representative; Mora Romaine, Community Relations Director at Norwalk Hospital; Stephanie Fairleigh, Junior League; Carol Wilder Tamme, President, Darien Chamber of Commerce; Don Fiftal, Superintendent of the Darien Public Schools; Pat Morrissey, Darien Community YMCA CEO; Martha Rhein, VP of the Darien Community Fund, Partner Coach; and Aidan Gaffney, Darien YMCA Fitness Director.