News – Page 8

Warrior Wellness for Veterans

July 27, 2023

Warrior Wellness giving local veterans a community and a healthier life

By Devin Bates Worcester

PUBLISHED 3:07 PM ET Jul. 18, 2023

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. – A local program aimed at helping military veterans stay active and get in better shape has been growing in popularity after nearly being canceled due to a lack of attendance.

Twice a week, more than a dozen veterans typically head to the Boroughs Family Branch YMCA in Westborough for Warrior Wellness.

Adam Costello, who served in the Army from 2005 to 2012, has been working with fellow veteran and YMCA personal trainer Richard Hildereth to get the program going strong.

“I didn’t realize how easy it was to get out of shape, and the more I went to the VA and different veterans’ places, the more I realized that was common among many veterans,” Costello said.

Shortly after returning, Costello began working out regularly at the Boroughs YMCA and noticed a flier for a veterans’ exercise group. He learned it was likely to be canceled due to lack of interest in the community, and used his connections with the disability services group Easter Seals and MassVeteran to get some more momentum behind the effort.

“I think one of the fun parts of Warrior Wellness is that the first few months, it would just be Richard and I sitting down and talking,” Costello said. “But we knew consistency and time would build that audience.”

Hildereth served in the Army from 1987 to 1991, and was in Germany when the Berlin Wall fell. He takes a relaxed approach to leading Warrior Wellness, creating an environment where people can feel comfortable.

The program has grown popular among Vietnam veterans in particular.

“I’ve definitely seen all types,” Hildereth said. “People who have been working out regularly, people who haven’t, who need to get back in shape. It’s just good to encourage them to keep their butts moving consistently throughout life. Even if you’re going through a tough time, not feeling well, even if light intensity is all you can do, just keep yourself moving consistently over time.”

Hildereth said the key is more about establishing a routine than starting an intense training regimen.

Read the Full Story and view the video on SpectrumNews1.com HERE

33rd Annual YMCA Golf Classic

July 7, 2023

Join us for the 33rd Annual YMCA Golf Classic! It will be wonderful to see so many great friends and supporters of the Y. This is our largest fundraiser and benefits our youth development initiatives. Your support is important and makes a real difference!

Should you have any questions, please feel free to email Eileen Pinchuck at [email protected]. Thank you again and please save the date for this year’s Classic: July 24, 2023.

Learn More HERE

Annual LeonideJ.Lemire RoadRace

June 2, 2023

Join in the second oldest, continuous, road race in America!
Dating back to the 1950’s when 17 runners competed in the first race.

Bottled water available at stations along the course.
Awards for in-person runners
Refreshments and shower facilities will be available.
Professional Scoring and Timing by EMPIRE Timing Co.
FREE for military and senior runners

Proceeds benefit Veterans at the Tri-Community Family Branch YMCA.

Tuesday, July 4th at the Tri-Community Family Branch in Southbridge, MA

Learn more HERE

5 Days of Action

April 25, 2023

Join Five Days of Action to Help Prevent Child Sexual Abuse, April 24-28

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. As part of our commitment to protecting the children in our community, we’re participating in the Five Days of Action – a week-long campaign to increase awareness of child sexual abuse and empower and equip us all to prevent it. By taking part in this important campaign and through implementing abuse prevention practices year round, the YMCA of Central Massachusetts is committing to the safety of all children in our community.

The Know. See. Respond. campaign is back this year, tying in three impact areas – preventing child sexual abuse at both summer camp and in youth sports, and internet safety. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, U.S. Center for SafeSport and Praesidium have shared resources to support this campaign.

Know: Summer Camp KNOWing about child sexual abuse can help adults better understand what to look for and how to prevent it. As parents, caregivers, and trusted adults to the young people in our lives, we play an important role in protecting them from abuse. This requires our commitment to continually learn and then ask questions about the safety of our loved ones. The Y – and other youth serving organizations – implement a series of measures to keep the kids in their care safe. Next time you enroll your loved one in a new program, ask them about their child protection practices. For this summer, you can use this list.

See: Youth Sports When we SEE boundaries being crossed or suspect a child is being abused, we can and should act quickly. Sports should be safe places for children to grow, both as people and athletes. As a parent, caregiver, coach, or volunteer, it is up to you to make sure any environment in which children in your care interact is free from abuse. Learn more about the signs and how you can help prevent child sexual abuse in youth sports at https://uscenterforsafesport.org/parents/

Respond: Internet Safety Did you know that you don’t need evidence to report abuse—only reasonable suspicion? But even for adults, reporting abuse is hard. We don’t want to falsely accuse someone or get someone in trouble. On the other hand, reporting might be the one thing that saves a child – or children – from abuse. It is our responsibility to RESPOND to any and all disclosure, discovery or suspicion of child sexual abuse. This week we learned the importance of Know. See. Respond. and gained practical tools for preventing child sexual abuse— but our work is never done. The YMCA of Central Massachusetts is committed to year-round prevention, and we hope you are, too! Stay connected and informed by visiting https://www.ymca.org/fivedaysofaction. #FiveDaysofAction

As adults and children alike have turned to digital tools for school, work and socialization, online safety matters now more than ever. Many online dangers put children at risk, such as cyber bullying, online enticement and more. As an adult, keeping an open line of communication with any children in your care who may access online content can be key to helping prevent sexual abuse. Learn the facts, how you can keep kids safe, and how to respond to online victimization at https://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz

We take our commitment to child protection seriously and we hope you do too. Check out our protection policy HERE. To learn more about how we keep kids safe in Central Massachusetts.

Youth and Government

April 5, 2023

Congratulations to the Central Community Branch YMCA Youth & Government delegation and their Advisor, Amie Cox! They attended the MA Model Legislature over the past 3 days – with great success. Our students wrote and presented 2 Bills, won a couple of awards and also ran for office!

This in-person event provides students with an authentic opportunity to be Senators and Assembly members in the actual State Capitol. Run by the Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs, students debate legislation they and their peers have prepared – encouraged to debate ideas respectfully and befriend those with whom they disagree. Nearly fifty thousand students from across the nation participate in this program annually, and all come home more civically engaged and active.

This is our future and the future is bright!