MAPLEWOOD, NJ – Maplewood native Matthew Becht has been named associate director of marketing of the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges, the largest association of YMCAs in New Jersey. Becht, who joined the Metro YMCA in 2012 as marketing specialist, “uses his creative talents to advance the Y’s six branches and promote the organization as […]
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Expanding on its successful free membership program for seventh-graders, the South Mountain YMCA will offer free memberships to sixth- and eighth-graders too starting in September. “A Y membership fosters resiliency and a sense of belonging in middle schoolers, and encourages them to build their bodies and minds, developing healthy habits for a […]
WEST ORANGE, NJ — A community coalition is using a $10,000 grant from Partners for Health Foundation to run a community garden and improve the town’s walkability, according to a press release. “We’ve launched efforts that encourage families to eat healthier and would allow them to safely walk from one end of town to the […]
NEWARK, NJ — While most 12-year-old girls are thinking of different ways to decorate their own bedrooms, South Orange resident Briana Anderson is spending her time beautifying the bedrooms of unaccompanied minors at the Newark YMCA. Briana, a sixth-grader at South Orange Middle School, is one-third of a group called “BAM,” a social network formed […]
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — On Sunday, May 15, Joanne Beckerich, Linda and Gordon Barnes, and Virginia Kurshan will be honored as recipients of the Maple Leaf Award for their extraordinary volunteer and community service, according to a recent press release. “Whether the volunteer work of this year’s recipients has been given for service to maintain and […]
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Families are invited to Memorial Park on April 30 to celebrate the South Mountain YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, a free, fun-packed event to thwart the summer slide. From noon to 3 p.m., children can enjoy a giant challenge inflatable, a 50-foot climbing tower, a Spider-Man healthy lifestyle assembly, and camp games in […]
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Sophia Helmkamp discovered gymnastics as a 6-year-old at the South Mountain YMCA, developing a passion for the sport that she shares with others as a Y teacher and coach. When she turned 14, “I felt it was time that I gave back to the gym that showed me my love for gymnastics,” […]
Local Brownie troop gives 10 percent of money raised in cookie drive to Y to give back to town
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The members of Brownie Troop 20874 had a two-fold lesson with this season’s Girl Scout cookie sale campaign: financial literacy and the importance of giving back. The troop donated 10 percent of its cookie sales, a total of $200, to the South Mountain YWCA as their charity of choice in an April […]
LIVINGSTON, NJ — One in 10 people is sexually abused before age 18, an alarming national statistic that has produced a population of 42 million adults scarred by the childhood crime. Intervention can turn the tide, and during National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges will join with YMCAs […]
LIVINGSTON, NJ — Aware of the summer camp conundrum that faces parents who have a child with special needs, the West Essex YMCA has created an integrated program at its Pioneer Trails Day Camp. The West Essex Y is hiring and training additional camp counselors to give children with special needs support to participate alongside […]