HOCKOMOCK AREA YMCA

Posted on: Monday, February 12th, 2024

Annual Campaign Breakfast

REACH OUT
ANNUAL CAMPAIGN BREAKFAST

Raising funds to strengthen community

Friday, March 15, 2024
Networking begins at 7:00 a.m.
Putnam Club at Gillette Stadium
Breakfast and Program at 7:30 a.m.

For questions regarding the event or to RSVP, please email realimpact@hockymca.org or 508-643-5220.

To learn more about our Reach Out Campaign, click here.

Posted on: Thursday, February 8th, 2024

Calling All Ballers! Sign up for March Madness

Did you know that youth basketball plays a huge role in building strong and supportive communities?

Not only does it promote physical activity and exercise, it also encourages teamwork, leadership, and healthy competition. Our leagues through grade 4 and basketball classes to get 3-year-olds ready for the court are designed to help improve skills, make friends, and stay active while learning to love the game.

It’s time to start dribbling! Let your basketball players get in on the game this March and sign up today. Developing physical, social, and emotional skills has never been more fun! Experience lessons, drills, practices, and games in Youth Basketball Leagues (YBL) March Extension running from March 2 – March 24 in Franklin and North Attleboro; running from March 9 – March 30, 2024 in Foxboro. Flexible schedules and cost-friendly options make it easy to join the fun. Let’s shoot, dribble, and pass the competition away and hone our skills in teamwork, sportsmanship, and more!

All skills can join. Non-members welcome.

REGISTER NOW (AGES 4+)

Franklin: Sat. Pre-K (10:00-11:00 am), Grades K-1 (11:15 am-12:15 pm), and Grades 2-3 (12:30-1:30 pm)

Foxboro: Sat. Pre-K in the AM, Kindergarteners mid-day, Grades 1-2 (2:00-3:00 pm), and Grades 3-4 (3:00-4:00 pm)

North Attleboro: Sun. Pre-K in the AM, Grades K-1 mid-day, and Grades 2-3 in the afternoon

Cost: $48 member, $62 non-member. Get ready to have some productive meetings when the season starts – your coaches can’t wait!

REGISTER NOW (AGE 3)

Don’t let your 3 year old miss out on all the March madness fun. They’ll love it!

Foxboro: Basketball skills class Sat. (9:00 – 9:45 am)

Cost: $36 member, $72 non-member.

It’s time to get in the game! Sign your talented young basketball players up for local youth leagues and teams and watch them go!

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: Monday, January 15th, 2024

FEBRUARY IS HEART HEALTH MONTH

February is American Heart Health Month. It’s a great time to understand your risk for high blood pressure and heart disease and make some important life changes for a long healthy life.

According to the American Heart Association, nearly 80 million adults have high blood pressure in this country. Less than half have it under control. High blood pressure is most prevalent in racial and ethnic minority populations, and is often referred to as “The Silent Killer” because there are typically no warning signs or symptoms. High blood pressure is a key, modifiable risk factor for both heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and dementia. Many forms of heart disease, including hypertension, are highly preventable.

This month and all year round, we encourage our members and the community to learn more about 2 of our Y’s Healthy Heart Programs.

Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program (BPSMP)
Heart Strong: Post Cardiac Rehab Program

We also invite folks to stop by 1 of our branch locations this month to attend a free blood pressure screening and to learn about blood pressure management and strategies.

Free Blood Pressure Readings & Blood Pressure Self Monitoring Program Information in February

AT OUR FOXBORO Y:

Monday, 2/26: 9:15am-10:15am

AT OUR FRANKLIN Y:

Monday, 2/12: 9:30am-10:30am

AT OUR NORTH ATTLEBORO Y:

Wednesday, 2/7: 9:30am-10:30am
Wednesday, 2/21: 9:30am-10:30am
Tuesday, 2/27: 4:00pm-5:00pm

BLOOD PRESSURE SELF-MONITORING PROGRAM (BPSMP)

Learn more about the risk for heart disease by getting a blood pressure reading. Ask a medical provider if you are at risk and take action to reduce your risk. Long-term adherence to lifestyle modifications and medication treatment can be challenging, many studies have focused on the potential of self-monitoring as a tool for blood pressure management. In an effort to address these issues, the Y designed an evidence-based, self-monitoring program aimed to help participants better manage their blood pressure. This program emphasizes that self-monitoring and tracking of individuals’ blood pressure can play a significant role in reducing one’s blood pressure and improving their quality of life.

Our YMCA is a provider of the Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program which supports individuals with hypertension to lower their blood pressure by following an evidence-based program that combines blood pressure self-monitoring, nutrition education and personalized support. The YMCA of the USA developed this program to help individuals better manage hypertension and improve their overall health. Less than half of all Americans living with hypertension have it under control. Research shows that the simple process of checking and recording blood pressure at least twice a month over four months may lower blood pressure in some people with hypertension. In addition, evidence shows that proper nutrition, particularly with a reduction in sodium intake, may help reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressures.

Enrollments are currently being accepted from February through May of 2024 for our Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program. People who enroll during February through May will receive:

The program valued at $150 for only $50
A blood pressure cuff/monitor (valued at $40)
Heart healthy recipes and education

How the program works:
Participants will work with trained Healthy Heart Ambassadors over an 8-week session to:

Self-measure their blood pressure
Attend 2 personalized consultations
Attend nutrition education seminars
Record blood pressure readings using a self selected tool

Program Goals:

Reduction in blood pressure
Improved blood pressure management
Increased awareness of triggers that elevate blood pressure
Enhanced knowledge to develop healthier eating habits

To learn more about our program or to register, click here. You may also call us at 508-643-5271 or email donnah@hockymca.org to ask questions and schedule a consultation.

HEART STRONG: POST CARDIAC REHAB PROGRAM

Heart Strong, our Post Cardiac Rehab Program, is a 12-week program designed to support individuals who have participated in a medically supervised cardiac rehabilitation program and want to continue to maintain optimal heart and vascular health through exercise.

This program helps individuals continue with their prescribed exercises with the care and support of YMCA trainers and instructors.

What are the benefits?

Exercise with confidence
Small group setting
Social support
Fully supervised

What is included?

Small group support
Experienced trainers and instructors
Weekly 1-hour sessions for 12 weeks
Free YMCA membership for enrolled participants and full use of all Hockomock Area YMCA branches for the program’s duration.

Cost: $100 for YMCA Members / $150 for Nonmembers

Enrolling now for upcoming classes! For more information and to register, email donnah@hockymca.org Donna Higgins, Prescription for a Healthy Lifestyle Coordinator, or call 508-643-5271.

Posted on: Friday, January 12th, 2024

Dean College Scholarship Application Online Now

The Hockomock Area YMCA is proud to partner with Dean College to offer a $39,000 scholarship to a deserving young person who has been actively involved with the Hockomock Area YMCA.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

currently enrolled as a high school senior in good standing
be a Hockomock Area YMCA member or an active volunteer
minimum high school GPA of 2.5
meet the admission requirements of Dean College for Fall 2024
be a US citizen or permanent resident

Please return completed application to YMCA Member Services in Franklin, Foxboro, or North Attleboro or email it to our Franklin Y’s Senior Executive Director Scott Martin at scottm@hockymca.org by Friday, March 1, 2024 at 5 p.m.

Download the application

The scholarship is renewable for four years as long as the student remains in good academic standing.

Finalists will be required to meet for an interview with the scholarship selection committee the week of March 18th.

Posted on: Thursday, January 11th, 2024

Join our Leaders Club today (Grades 6-12)!

All are Welcome!

Join us as we kick off the spring session! Free for Hockomock Area YMCA members and only $5 for the entire session for anyone in the community who wants to get involved. Please register so we know to expect you!

LAUNCH INTO LEADERSHIP

Leaders Club is a year-long leadership development program for middle and high school teens. This program provides teens extensive leadership training and volunteer opportunities supporting YMCA programs and community services. In addition to teaching teens leadership through service, Leaders Clubs advisors introduce teens to all the work the Y does to strengthen the community, and inspire and prepare teens to become future Y leaders. Our goal is to challenge teens to serve the community, and to help them grow in who they are and lead those around them.

Leaders are known for making ordinary days extraordinarily fun. We enjoy field trips, parties, visiting neighbor Ys, guest speakers, and lots more.

Session dues: $0 for Hockomock Area YMCA members / $5 non-members; our two sessions run: September through December and January through the start of June

CLICK TO RSVP AND JOIN US

@ YMCA Zone Teen Center in downtown North Attleboro (585 East Washington St.). Meetings are held weekly through June 3.

@ THE FOXBORO Y Meet us in the Marilyn Rodman Teen Center on the first floor. Meetings are held every other week through June 5.

Please sign up at this link or contact us today!

CONTACTS: Ashley Dumas (Franklin) ashleyd@hockymca.org | Dawn Dacosta (North Attleboro) dawnd@hockymca.org phone: 508-643-5270 | Ross Gemba (Foxboro) rossg@hockymca.org

Posted on: Thursday, January 11th, 2024

Swim Lessons Enrolling Now

Have Fun, Be Confident, Stay Safe

Each year, the Y teaches more than a million children how to swim. Y Swim Lessons are available year round and provide resources for all kids. Sign up for swim lessons today! We foster a sense of achievement as swimmers progress between levels in our pools and at Silver Lake. Through this approach, advanced swimmers flow more easily to higher levels while swimmers who need more instruction can learn at their own pace. This results in more confident swimmers who stick with lessons and develop a love for swimming that can last a lifetime.

There are three categories of Y Swim Lessons:

1) SWIM STARTERS (PARENT OR GUARDIAN WITH CHILD)

Accompanied by a parent, infants and toddlers learn to be comfortable in the water and develop swim readiness skills. Parents are coached to guide their child toward greater water independence while learning about the importance of supervision. Swim Starters classes are suggested for ages 6 months through 4 years as follows:

Can the student respond to verbal cues and jump on land? Not yet: enroll in Stage A
Is the student comfortable with their nose and mouth submerged assisted? Not yet: enroll in Stage B
Is the student over age 2, past Stage B, but not yet ready to be independent and apart from parent/guardian in the pool? Enroll in Stage C
Click here to see the days and times for the current session of Swim Starters.

2) SWIM BASICS

Students develop basic swimming competency and learn personal water safety. They begin by developing comfort in the water, then work on proper body position and control. While developing fundamental techniques, swimmers increase stamina for longer distance swimming. Students or their parents can sign up for a time slot in which a number of different stages are taught and instructors will look for your child to comfortably and consistently perform each skill in order to progress to the next stage.

Swim Basics classes are available for (ages 3-5), (ages 5-12) and (ages 12+)
Click here to see the days and times for the current session of Swim Basics.

3) SWIM STROKES

Having mastered the fundamentals, swimmers build on stroke technique, including all major competitive strokes. The emphasis on water safety continues, and swimmers learn about competitive swimming and how to incorporate exercise swimming into a healthy lifestyle.

Swim Strokes classes are available for (ages 5-12) and instructors will look for your child to comfortably and consistently perform each skill in order to progress to the next stage.
Click here to see the days and times for the current session of Swim Strokes.

Each Swim Lessons category has three stages or levels that are designed for swimmers’ age and ability. If you have any question about Swim Lessons, or want some help placing your child in the right class, please reach out to our Aquatics Directors or simply call the front desk. Bernon Y Aquatics (Franklin): Krystina Edens at krystinae@hockymca.org -OR- Foxboro Y Aquatics: Chris Tower at christophert@hockymca.org -OR- North Attleboro Y Aquatics: Sheila Riley at sheilar@hockymca.org

SWIM STARTERS BABY & TODDLER LESSONS WITH PARENT

Parent/Child
6 Months – 3 Years

Accompanied by a parent, infants and toddlers learn to be comfortable in the water and develop swim readiness skills. Parents are coached to guide their child toward greater water independence while learning about the importance of supervision.

A / WATER DISCOVERY

Parents accompany children in stage A, which introduces infants and toddlers to the aquatic environment through exploration and encourages them to enjoy themselves while learning about the water.

B / WATER EXPLORATION

In stage B, parents work with their children to explore body positions, floating, blowing bubbles, and fundamental safety and aquatic skills.

C / WATER INDEPENDENCE

Parents work with their children to develop comfort in underwater exploration by learning self rescue techniques. This class is geared for children not ready to be independent from parents.

SWIM BASICS FUNDAMENTALS OF SWIMMING

Everyone
Ages 3 and up

Students develop basic swimming competency and learn personal water safety. They begin by developing comfort in the water, then work on proper body position and control. While developing fundamental techniques, swimmers increase stamina for longer distance swimming.

1 / WATER ACCLIMATION

Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water. This stage lays the foundation for a student’s future progress in swimming.

2 / WATER MOVEMENT

In stage 2, students focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water while also continuing to practice how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.

3 / WATER STAMINA

In stage 3, students learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance than in previous stages in the event of falling into a body of water. This stage also introduces rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action.

SWIM STROKES REFINING STROKE TECHNIQUE

Everyone
Ages 5 and up

Having mastered the fundamentals, swimmers build on stroke technique, including all major competitive strokes. The emphasis on water safety continues, and swimmers learn about competitive swimming and how to incorporate exercise swimming into a healthy lifestyle.

4 / STROKE INTRODUCTION

Students in stage 4 develop stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl and learn the breaststroke kick and butterfly kick. Water safety is reinforced through treading water and elementary backstroke.

5 / STROKE DEVELOPMENT

Students in stage 5 work on stroke technique and learn all major competitive strokes. The emphasis on water safety continues through treading water and sidestroke.

6 / STROKE MECHANICS

In stage 6, students refine stroke technique on all major competitive strokes, learn about competitive swimming, and discover how to incorporate swimming into a healthy lifestyle.

REGISTER FOR SWIM LESSONS NOW

Posted on: Wednesday, January 10th, 2024

An Update on our Family Pool Club @ Park Terrace

Dear Hockomock Area YMCA members and our community,

I’m in touch today to share that while we had hoped to make significant progress with the rebuilding of our Family Pool Club @ Park Terrace since the fire in May, it will not be possible to open this summer.

Please know that our YMCA team is fully committed to rebuilding this community centerpiece in Plainville with an opening in June 2025.

Due to the significant fire damage to the main clubhouse building, it resulted in a delayed removal of debris which was completed in December. Currently, plans are in process for construction to begin on the new clubhouse featuring modern amenities. We are committed and excited for the Club’s rebuild and creating the best member experience possible.

Be sure to follow us on our pool club website or our pool club facebook page to stay up-to-date on our construction progress and reopening plans. You can also email our pool club membership team with any questions at poolclub@hockymca.org.

As we rebuild, our Y is appreciative of the support provided throughout the community, and by those who registered for our inaugural season before the fire.

We look forward to welcoming you in 2025 for a truly special grand reopening. Thank you for your time and understanding.

Sincerely,

Jim Downs
CEO, Hockomock Area YMCA

Posted on: Thursday, January 4th, 2024

February Vacation Programs & Care

When School Is Out, the Fun Is In during February Vacation.

WHEN: FEB. 19 – 23, 2023

We believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. That’s why, through Y programs, children are cultivating the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, socialization, better health, and achievement.

Our experienced staff takes the right steps to ensure your child’s safety and happiness during an action-packed day!

Vacation Week Details:

Program Days: Monday, February 19 through Friday, February 23.
Full Day programs: 9:00am – 4:00pm each day with options for pre-camp (7am-9am) and post-camp (4pm-6pm) at our 3 main branches.
Families can choose which day(s) they wish their child to participate.
Full day camps, please pack a full lunch with water bottle and snacks. Some camps will swim so please check the program description for more details on when to pack a bathingsuit and towel.
Check out our field trip information in our registration portal today for all the fun we have planned.
Program offerings will differ from each branch.

Note for our Voyagers Trips only (ages 11-14): Registration closes at midnight on Sun 2/11/24! Trips leave daily from the North Attleboro Y as follows… Mon (2/19) Scale new peaks with Rock Spot Climbing; Tues (2/20) Bounce into fun at Altitude Jump Park; Wed (2/21 FULL) Sled into fun at Nashoba Valley’s snow tubing paradise; Thur (2/22) Score big at Fun and Games’ new generation of arcades; Fri (2/23) Discover history through hands-on activities at Concord Museum.

See you at the Y for fun this February school vacation!

Posted on: Monday, January 1st, 2024

Golf with Legends

Our Legends Golf Classic

Monday, July 8, 2024

We are happy to hold this event and raise critical funds that support our YMCA’s Integration Initiative providing programs and services for children and adults with special needs and their families.

Our YMCA is partnering with TPC Boston for our 15th annual Legends Golf Classic, raising critical funds to support our Integration Initiative for children and adults with special needs and their families. This event will feature 18 holes of memorable golf, pairing foursomes with New England sports legends and creating a priceless experience for golfers.

Throughout the day you will have the opportunity to hear from family members describing the impact you are making by partnering with the Hockomock Area YMCA and supporting our innovative Integration Initiative.

SPONSOR NOW

EVENT DETAILS

10:00am Registration / Check-in
11:00am Putting Contest
11:15am Shotgun Start (Lunch on the Course)
4:30 p.m. Reception / Dinner / Live Auction
TPC BOSTON, 400 Arnold Palmer Blvd, Norton, MA

For sponsorship or event inquiries, please contact Patrick Murphy at 508-643-5262 or patrickm@hockymca.org.

BERNON FAMILY BRANCH	45 Forge Hill Road Franklin, MA 02038	508.528.8708
INVENSYS FOXBORO BRANCH	67 Mechanic Street Foxboro, MA 02035	508.543.2523
HURLEY FAMILY BRANCH	300 Elmwood Street North Attleboro, MA 02760	508.695.7001
MANSFIELD ARTS & EDUCATION CENTER	40 Balcom Street Mansfield, MA 02048	508.339.3066