In this edition of Us!...
- Five Days of Action: Day 4
- Associate Referral Program
- Calling All Sports Lovers
- Clinical Supervision Milestone
- Shout Outs
- Community Kudos
- Payroll Information
- Why Risk It?
- A Note from John Hoey
- Organization Announcements
Y ASSOCIATE OPPORTUNITIES
FIVE DAYS OF ACTION: DAY 4
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. As part of our commitment to protecting the children in our Y family centers, sites, programs and community, we are participating in Five Days of Action - a week-long campaign to increase associate awareness of child sexual abuse and equip us all to prevent it.
All this week, Y associates have received daily emails with information to help build a foundation for preventing child abuse: Know. See. Respond.
- On Monday, we learned the importance of KNOWing the facts of child abuse.
- On Tuesday, we dove into SEEing the signs of abuse.
- On Wednesday, we gave specifics around how to RESPOND when you suspect child abuse.
We place great value on providing the most child-safe environment possible and creating an atmosphere where children grow and thrive.
Today - day 4 - we invite you to revisit these principles of child abuse prevention and be informed. It's our responsibility as Y associates and our commitment as a human service organization.
ASSOCIATE REFERRAL PROGRAM
We are growing our Y associate community and need your help. If you know someone who may be a qualified candidate for an in-demand position such as educators and lifeguards, please encourage them to apply. If your referred person is hired, you can potentially earn a $150 - $500 referral bonus!
WE'RE LOOKING FOR SPORTS INSTRUCTORS
The Y is looking for associates who have an interest working with youth and either have a sports coaching background (at any level) or experience playing a particular sport. For small group training we are looking for more experienced people who have played and coached their specialized sport.
GOOD VIBES
CLINICAL SUPERVISION HAS LAUNCHED!
Please join us in congratulating the School Partnerships team in the successful launch of the Y's Clinical Supervision Cohort, as well as giving kudos to Ramona Dowdell (left) and Keyona Wright (right) for being the first associates accepted into the cohort!
You may recall a few months back, we announced in Us! that the Y was starting a Clinical Supervision Cohort for general licensed professional counselors and social workers seeking to further their education and experience, and interested associates were invited to apply.
Well, the program is officially up, running, and off to the races!
Congratulations!
Y ASSOCIATE SHOUT OUTS
We have lots of wonderful Y Associate Shout Outs today. These are great stories about pitching in, reaching out, showing initiative, being a great colleague, and going the extra mile: all of which are hallmarks of Y associates and our organizational culture.
Click the blue "Shout Out" icon above to read about Courtney Cornetto, Richelle Harris, Koni Tanagara, Jeremiah Pearl, Judd Thornley, Jade Moore, Latasha Smith, and Kiara Woolford.
If you have a colleague you'd like to "Shout Out", simply click below to fill out the nomination form.
COMMUNITY COMMENTS
The good work you do doesn't go unnoticed. Enjoy reading these real comments from our Y community and soak in the praise!
Benjamin, Y Chipmunks Preschool
"All of the teachers work so hard to help the children have a great first schooling experience. Their communication is amazing and there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer. The Chipmunks Preschool program is an amazing community focused on positive, fun-focused learning for young minds."
Katrin, The Weinberg Y in Waverly
"I especially like how the associates I am in contact with are very welcoming. Namely, Miss Love and Miss Gwen at Stay & Play, as well as Malik in the fitness area and Coach Larry at soccer practice for my son. All of these associates are friendly, open, reliable, and competent and I appreciate that about my experience the most."
Shelby, Y Before & After School Enrichment at Red Pump Elementary
“The associates at the Red Pump Y Enrichment program are extremely friendly and helpful. The level of care is unmatched! Thank you so much for getting me through this transition."
Michael, Y Head Start in Baltimore County, Campfield Site
"They are like a family they make you feel welcome no one is left behind. The love and care they show your children is more than any parent could ask for."
WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU!
The Us! associate enewsletter is published monthly and we need to hear from you! Share your stories, what’s new in your Y world, and what you are proud of. We want to know! The next regular Us! enewsletter will be published on April 18. The submission deadline is Friday, April 12.
RESOURCES, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
GET PAID!
| PAY PERIOD | PAY DATE |
|---|---|
| April 21 - May 4, 2024 | May 14, 2024 |
| May 5 - 18, 2024 | May 28, 2024 |
| May 19 - June 1, 2024 | June 11, 2024 |
WHY RISK IT?
The Y's Risk Management Team has created a monthly newsletter to highlight key risk reduction practices, reviews and reminders. This serves as an excellent quick reference for high priority risk awareness in our Y programs, centers and sites.
OUR WORK TOGETHER
Dear Colleagues,
Well, the month of April is fast coming to a conclusion, and I have to say that it’s been a blur given all that we've done together in just the past few days (much less the past several weeks!). Consider this:
This past Saturday, we hosted our annual Healthy Kids Day at Y family centers across the region, giving families a chance to play together, get helpful information, exercise, eat healthy snacks and just have fun as a family together, which only reinforces to the community our focus on youth development and healthy families.
In the midst of Healthy Kids Day, we cut the ribbon on our fourth Y Fresh Mart Food Pantry; this one at the Hill Y in Westminster. I am so gratified and excited to extend access to healthy food throughout our region as a vital component of our community health strategy and our steadfast commitment to inclusion.
This past weekend was also the culmination of Youth & Government (Y&G), as high schoolers across the state descended upon the State House in Annapolis to run a live legislative session, elect state officers, debate and pass bills, and hear from Maryland State Delegate Stephanie Smith from Baltimore at the closing banquet on Sunday. The incredibly impressive young folks who participate in Youth & Government are forever shaped by their experience learning the fundamentals of democracy and, dare I say it, compromise. Call me biased, but I sincerely hope these young people will stick with public service and continue to let their voices be heard as agents of change.
Sticking with the politics and democracy theme, on Wednesday three members of Maryland’s U.S. Congressional delegation, Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, and Congressman Kweisi Mfume, and others visited the historic Y in Druid Hill to present us with check for $1,238,000, which will help to fund badly needed improvements to the building’s aging infrastructure. All the speakers, including Y Board Chair David Vahos, made a point to appreciate the importance of the Y in Druid Hill as both historically significant and a hub of community health and well-being in a neighborhood too often and too long neglected. We were honored to also have City Councilman James Torrence join our distinguished guests, along with State Senator Antonio Hayes. For those who may not know, James Torrence was himself a Y Youth & Government “kid” who was elected “Youth Governor,” eventually became a lawyer and is now an elected official putting what he learned as a Y&G leader to work! You cannot make this stuff up.
None of this impressive work happens without the tireless and enthusiastic efforts of so many Y associates, partners and volunteers. As I travel around this region, I get to witness not just our tremendous work, but also how much it is deeply appreciated by the community we serve. That kind of reward is hard to put a price tag on.
All the best,
John Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland
ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCEMENT
We've had a couple of changes within our workforce since the last regular edition of US! Click below for updates. Congratulations and welcome to all who are mentioned!
Please also indulge in a special interview with Y associate, Debbie Fowble.