Julie – Page 4 – Hockomock Area YMCA

Posted on: Saturday, November 30th, 2024

Inclement Weather Policy

The safety of our members and staff is a priority for our YMCA. During extreme weather conditions we employ an inclement weather policy, using our website home page and branch home pages to alert members of any facility closings or delays and class cancellations.

FACILITY CLOSINGS AND DELAYED OPENINGS

The Hockomock Area YMCA will monitor the weather during the winter months and will be mindful of the safety of our members and staff when deciding to continue a consistent class schedule or to modify the schedule based on the weather conditions.

For all group exercise classes, youth programming and adult programming, the Hockomock Area YMCA will make a decision two hours prior to the start of class and will notify all participants via our website and our social media pages.

In the case that the YMCA must close, this communication will be done through our website, member email blast, social media pages and on our phone messages.

CHILD CARE CANCELLATIONS AND DELAYS

It is our intention to operate Child Care and our school-age School’s Out program during regularly scheduled hours. Please be sure to provide your contact information and cell phone number to the facilitator of your child’s program who will alert you in case of any delay or cancellation.

Posted on: Sunday, September 1st, 2024

Fall Group Exercise Showcase

Join us for our Group Exercise Showcase – happening at a dedicated time at each branch this Fall!

DETAILS:

Commit to trying a new class (or two) at your home branch or at another Hockomock Y branch to switch up your routine and meet new friends.
Bring a friend (or two) for free to experience a group exercise class together.
No registration required.
Our wellness team are adding to the fun with prize giveaways and refreshments.
Information about personal and small group training, Styku body scan programs and our Weight to Change program will be available.

At the Y – a supportive community inclusive of all ages and activity levels – is a big part of wellness.

In Group Exercise classes, you come together with others who want to live healthier and experience good health with others in a fun environment. Classes are led by certified instructors who ensure proper technique, provide guidance and encouragement. Meet us at the Y during Group Exercise Showcase.

View each branch’s schedule by clicking on the link below for real-time group exercise class:

FOXBORO: OCT. 14 – 20

See you in class!

Posted on: Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024

Kevin Hines Event

Featuring Kevin Hines

A message of Hope, Healing & Resiliency

Sponsored by our Hockomock Area YMCA, Healthy KP, the SAFE Coalition and MetroWest Health Foundation in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Cross Insurance Pavilion, Gillette Stadium

Foxborough, Mass

Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Program begins at 6:30 p.m.
Q&A and Meet & Greet at 7:40 p.m.

Parking Information: Please park in Lot 22A and look for signage for the Kevin Hines event. To view the Gillette Stadium parking map: click here.

In 2000, Kevin Hines attempted his death by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge at age 19. He survived the fall and ever since he’s dedicated his life to advocating for those with mental pain and talking about mental health.

Kevin lives with a strict motto… Life is the single greatest gift we’ve been given. Cherish it always. #BeHereTomorrow

This event is free but registration is required through the YMCA.

REGISTER TODAY

All in the community (ages 10+ with guardian) are invited to attend.

Kevin now travels the world sharing his story of hope and healing while teaching people of all ages the art of wellness & the ability to survive pain with true resilience to be here tomorrow and every day after that.

This event is offered at no cost to the community due to the support and commitment to mental well-being provided by the Hockomock Area YMCA, Healthy KP and the SAFE Coalition, and the MetroWest Health Foundation.

Questions about this event, please email pur YMCA’s Social Worker Brynne Kirwan, LCSW at brynnek@hockymca.org.

Learn about Kevin’s journey and his mission to empower us to be here tomorrow and every day after that.

Posted on: Saturday, April 20th, 2024

Child Protection Praesidium Accreditation®

Each and every day, our Y remains focused on child protection and child safety.

I’m sharing today that our YMCA has some exciting news. Our YMCA has been awarded Praesidium Accreditation® by Praesidium, the leader in abuse risk management.

Praesidium Accreditation® is a prestigious honor that publicly acknowledges our organization has a strong commitment and the resources in place to achieve the highest industry standards in safety and abuse prevention.

To achieve Accreditation, our YMCA underwent a year-long rigorous process to implement Praesidium’s Accreditation Standards focusing on eight primary operational areas within their business: policies, screening and selection, training, monitoring and supervision, consumer participation, internal feedback systems, responding, and administrative practices. Praesidium then verified our Y successfully implemented all of these standards.

We will be accredited for three years, and during this time will commit to uphold fundamental organizational values and stringent safety practices that demonstrate our commitment to protecting those in our care from abuse.

We are proud to be part of the 24 YMCAs across the nation to reach this accreditation status and we look forward to helping mentor other YMCAs in their process of becoming accredited.

We encourage all individuals and organizations to play an active role in partnering with us to make our local communities a safer place for children and families. Together, we can prevent child sexual abuse by ensuring that adults have the knowledge, skills and resources needed to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. All of our resources are here.

Sincerely,

Jim Downs
CEO, Hockomock Area YMCA

Posted on: Wednesday, March 27th, 2024

Swim for Scholarships

Participate with us in our 100 Mile Swim For Scholarships!

Swim 100 miles between now and August 31, 2024.

HOW IT WORKS:

Pick one of the first two options below:

Make a donation of $100 to participate.
Commit to fundraise and ask your friends, neighbors and family to support your swim! (No cost to you) Let us know you want to fundraise and you’ll receive an email from our Fund Development Team with further instructions and a link to share with friends and family about your swim and why you are supporting the Y.
Track your miles for your swim and update the swim tracking poster on your branch’s pool deck by coloring in your swim! 72 Lengths (36 laps) is a mile! You can also track your swims at locations outside of the Y and update the chart when you come into the Y next.

REGISTER – FOXBORO Y

REGISTER – FRANKLIN Y

REGISTER – NORTH ATTLEBORO Y

There will be prizes and awards for swimmers who complete their swim as well as reach their minimum fundraising goal of $100.

If you have any questions, please email: Nicole at nicoleb@hockymca.org.

Thank you for Swimming for Scholarships!

Posted on: Friday, January 19th, 2024

Volt Hockey

Get in the Game with Volt Hockey

Our YMCA is so excited to be launching Volt Hockey through our Integration Initiative!

Volt Hockey is a para-sport designed for people with upper and lower body physical disabilities including Muscular Dystrophy, Spina-bifida, Dwarfism, and Cerebral Palsy. Volt Hockey is played in specialty motorized chairs, bringing the game of floor hockey to a population that would not otherwise have access to team sports.

This Learn to Play program will be a drills-and-skills format for new players of Volt Hockey who are current wheelchair users. Players will learn basics of driving the chairs, basic rules of play, and fundamental techniques and strategies of the game. We are launching the program beginning February 3rd.

Offered for ages 13+ on Saturdays from 3:15pm-4:15pm at our Hurley Family Branch in North Attleboro.

REGISTER WITH US

Cost: $48 member & non-member per month

A competitive option will be available to players by coach invitation.

For more information, please contact Sarah Henesey at sarahh@hockymca.org.

This innovative program is being offered through a partnership between our Hockomock Area YMCA, Space2Thrive and the generous sponsorship of Bill & Tina Belanger.

Posted on: Sunday, December 31st, 2023

New outdoor tree-climbing elements at our Franklin Y

New outdoor tree-climbing elements have been added at our Bernon Family Branch as an enhancement to our outdoor challenge course in Franklin. The new climbing elements were funded by a generous donation from longtime Y supporters Paula Rooney and Gerry Shaw, and will be used extensively in spring and summer 2024 with youth participating in the Y’s Before & After School Care and Summer Camp programs, as well as local school groups visiting the Y.

In late August, we installed Monkey Hardware systems on trees on at the Franklin Y, each providing a different climbing level of accessibility. These kits effectively turn the trees into climbing walls and are paired with the TRUBLUE iQ auto belay system. The TRUBLUE auto belays allow climbers of all ages and skill levels to climb heights safely. Rather than pulling the young climber upwards, they allow climbers to ascend the tree on their own power, while providing rest as needed during the climb with its catch and hold technology. Once the climber has reached the top of the climb they have chosen, the auto belays use magnetic braking technology to lower the climber back down slowly and safely to the ground.

“From their decades in leadership at Dean College in Franklin to their contributions as Board members of our Hockomock Area YMCA, Paula Rooney and Gerry Shaw have a long history of supporting youth and families in the Franklin community,” said Jim Downs, Hockomock Area YMCA CEO. “Our Y staff and members are so appreciative that they continue to find new ways to enhance operations at our Y and help us provide an even better experience for the youth we serve.”

The Monkey Hardware and TRUBLUE auto belays have received rave reviews from Y summer campers. “These new elements have brought the kids together in a new way that I have not seen in a long time. When a camper was climbing their whole group would be watching and cheering them on to reach the top,” said Ashley Dumas, Youth Program Director at the Bernon Family Branch. “It gave the kids something to work towards and accomplish. It was amazing watching the campers challenge themselves to make it higher than they did last time or try a harder climb.”

Our Hockomock Y is grateful for this generous donation made possible by Paula Rooney and Gerry Shaw. The Franklin Y’s camp and playing fields also feature Gramdma’s Place, an outdoor pavilion with weatherproof tables and seating, which was built with funds donated by the Rooney & Shaw family.

Registration for the 2024 Summer Camp Season begins January 12, 2024!

Register Now for Summer Camp 2024

Posted on: Friday, December 29th, 2023

Stronger Together: Team and Personal Training Programs

Stronger Together is our Y’s latest team training and personal training program

A premier personal training program that takes place at our Bernon Family Branch in Franklin. Workouts are completed in a private, dedicated space used for Stronger Together clients only on the second floor of our Franklin Y.

Start with an assessment to learn about the program: Stronger Together programs start with a free Starting Point Session. The 60-minute session allows our trainer to learn about your goals and challenges, observe your movement quality and create the perfect plan for you!

The Starting Point Session will include:

Finding out more about you: your goals, limitations, and health history.
Giving you a tour of our dedicated Stronger Together personal training area.
Assessing movement patterns with a Functional Movement Screen to help find the right exercises specifically for you.
Go through a light workout so you can experience the different tools we use during Stronger Together workouts.
Provide recommendations on a program that suits your goals, time and budget.

All of this information will be used to help create your training program and keep you injury free along the way!

BE HEALTHY. BE STRONG. BELONG.

What is Stronger Together?

Stronger Together is our premier one-on-one and group personal training system helping people look and feel their absolute best.

Team Training is a 45 minute workout perfect for those who want coaching from a personal trainer every time they come to the gym and enjoy the dynamics of group workouts. We offer 3 great options for Team Training – Foundations for beginners, Afterburn for advanced metabolic training and Industrial Strength for a true strength training option – and members can do unlimited sessions each month. $100 per month.

Personal training is perfect for clients with specific goals, injuries and those who do not prefer to work in larger groups. We can accommodate nearly all fitness levels and health issues in this setting. For those with more experience in fitness, we program more advanced exercises, which require more hands-on coaching. We begin to introduce lower repetition ranges and focus on those with strength goals. Also, we work on corrective strategies to help clients improve their movement restrictions. Team Training is included in all one-on-one personal training programs as a way to supplement the workouts. Options include up to 4, 8 and 12 sessions per month, and cost ranges from $201 to $471 per month.

Workouts are scheduled appointments to make sure you stay on track with getting started. Track your progress and communicate with your trainer with a custom mobile app. You’ll schedule your monthly personal meetings to discuss basic nutrition coaching, goal-setting and strategy. These personalized sessions are designed to keep you on track… so you can be on your way to reaching your goals.

Tailored to your goals, time and budget: our monthly programs allow you the most flexibility in scheduling workouts and finding a program that’s works for you.

Special Offer!

All of our Hockomock Y members have $50 personal Y Bucks to use towards any Stronger Together personal training program. Certain restrictions may apply.

How to Get Started:

Contact our Fitness & Personal Training Director Chris Raymond at chrisr@hockymca.org or 774-235-2732 to get started with us today. Let’s get Stronger Together!

Posted on: Tuesday, December 12th, 2023

North Attleboro Indoor Pool Renovation

Make A Splash with Us in our Renovated Indoor Pool!

Our brand-new Aquatics Center is now open!

It’s brighter, more welcoming and efficient, and more accessible to people of all abilities. Whether you’ll be joining us for lap swim, open family swim, water group exercise or swim lessons, we can’t wait to welcome you back in the water this holiday season. We look forward to seeing you there!

Hear from our Executive Director Mike Mahoney with an exciting announcement!

Renovations to our Indoor Pool is part of a series of renovation projects in our branches to enhance the member experience, as part of our Y’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.

What to Expect:
A newly constructed pool deck with new tile work
Brand new poured stairs to allow for easier access into and out of the pool for people of all ages and abilities
Increased natural sunlight with the addition of several large windows and enhanced lighting to brighten the Center
Newly constructed walls with fresh paint
Two new individual locker rooms in the family locker room hallway
New pipes and drainage system to maximize the efficiency of the pool
New HVAC system to ensure proper air flow and air temperature regulation in and around the pool area

Check our website for our real-time pool schedule

Pool Schedule

Swim lessons are also available!

View & Register for Swim Lessons

Posted on: Friday, September 1st, 2023

Midnight Masquerade

Join us for Midnight at the Masquerade! A fun night out – just in time for the Halloween season.

This local fundraiser, hosted by the YMCA child care staff – is an opportunity for friends and neighbors to come together to raise funds to enhance the lives of those in our 15 town service area who need the YMCA in their lives.

Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 5:30pm
LaFayette House 109 Washington St. Foxboro, MA

ABOUT THE EVENT

We welcome you to the Midnight at the Masquerade! Please note that we suggest semi-formal costume attire for the event which is age 21+. There will be a prize for best dressed! Dinner will be served at 6 and the show will start shortly after! There will be a cash bar available throughout the evening.

PURCHASE TODAY

THE PLOT

The rustle of silks and feathers under muted conversation was probably the last thing heard by the tragically and unexpectedly deceased at the Billionaires’ Club Annual Masquerade Ball. With a mystery under each feathery façade, unmasking the killer may be quite a challenge. It’s up to you to determine which partygoer is guilty, bring this crime to justice, and save the party!

Attend the Billionaires’ Club Annual Masquerade Ball and help get this soiree back on track by trading clues with your guests, gathering information, and solving the crime before the masked menace gets away! Evening wear, ball gowns, Venetian masks, suits, and tuxes are what to wear to this high class night of masks and murder. Get ready for a glamorous evening of mystery, intrigue, and murder at this masquerade ball murder mystery party!