NEWS & UPDATES
the Franklin Y

All that’s happening at the Bernon Y.

Posted on: Wednesday, July 20th, 2016

Our Camps Voted Best in the Region

Thank you for voting us a favorite through Wicked Local Readers Choice Awards!

#1 Regional Favorite for Summer Camp!

We appreciate your votes and remains steadfast in our cause to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

We strive to make this the best summer ever! We believe we provide a place for youth and teens to belong, try new things, and make lifelong friends. Camping teaches self-reliance, a love for nature and the outdoors and the development of attitudes and practices that build character and leadership. Our days are invigorating and we are having an amazing summer through hands-on learning.

We also received accolades for our Hockomock Area YMCA branches in the following Wicked Local Readers Choice Award categories:


Invensys Foxboro Branch Accolades

  • #1 Day care/Preschool
  • #1 Health Club/Yoga Studio

North Attleboro Branch Accolades

  • #1 Health Club/Yoga Studio
  • #1 Gymnastics School

Bernon Family Branch, Franklin Accolades

  • #1 Gymnastics School

To learn more about Wicked Local Readers Choice Awards 2016, click here.

Posted on: Friday, July 15th, 2016

Transition to College – Workshops for Students and Parents

Ok – you got in! You have the dorm room, supplies and some new clothes. You’ll be leaving pretty soon to take the next huge step in life. In collaboration with Dean College, our Y is excited to offer support as you head to college.

Learn how to stay strong, healthy and confident throughout your college years. Break-out sessions offered in two formats, one for parents and another for students with input from counselors, college officials, current college students and recent grads.

Parents, how can you best be there for your young adult on this journey? You can prepare for college through the Teen Transitions program, which offers mentoring and guidance to young adults currently enrolled in high school

“The transition to college can be very challenging for new students and their families. The first few weeks and months can be an emotional roller coaster,” said Cindy Kozil, Vice President of Enrollment & Retention at Dean College. “Parents ask us how they can best support their son/daughter during this transition. We offer specific recommendations, strategies and tips to make the experience easier, less stressful and more enjoyable for all involved.”

At the workshops, you’ll also learn about resources that are available at college campuses to help make the entire college experience as positive as possible.

The workshops are free and open to the public. We encourage all students and their parents just beginning college and anyone seeking more information about the college experience to attend.

Thriving at College:
Your First Weekend & Beyond

Details

Where: Franklin High School – Lecture Hall, 218 Oak Street, Franklin, MA
When: August 9 and 16 (6:00 – 7:30 pm)

Topics of Interest include:

  • Separating from life-long friends
  • Leaving behind a boyfriend or girlfriend
  • Creating new friendships
  • Thriving under academic and/or social pressure
  • Managing freedom and a schedule that’s unlike high school

Pre-Register for Chance to Win $100 Gift Card

PRE-REGISTER NOW


Note: if you’re not a YMCA member, you may register at our member services (508-528-8708). Topics covered: 8/9 Successfully Adjusting to New Challenges in College; 8/16: Staying Safe, Healthy and Strong. Once you register for one night, you are automatically registered for the following week’s session.

Thriving in College: Your First Weekend and Beyond workshop series: sponsored by the Hockomock Area YMCA Bernon Family Branch and Dean College, with support from State Representative Jeffrey Roy, the Franklin Public Schools, Community Impact, New Hope, Riverside Trauma Center and the S.A.F.E. Coalition and part of the Teen Transitions program – a collaboration between our YMCA and Dean College, offering mentoring and guidance to young adults currently enrolled in high school.

Posted on: Friday, July 1st, 2016

Where Community Comes Together

At our Y, more than 1,000 children each day are enjoying their “Best Summer Ever” at our summer camps designed to give kids an opportunity to belong to a community of their own.

Our entire camp staff embrace their responsibility as role models, dedicated to providing all campers with positive influences and urging and inspiring inclusion to create a safe place to learn and grow.

Our camps are nurturing environments providing campers the opportunity to be happy and successful, develop self-esteem, learn life skills and engage in positive social behaviors.

At Camp Wapawca at our Invensys Foxboro Branch, Damien is enjoying his second year of camp. He came to us last year very nervous and not wanting to leave his mom. Within a short time, he was embraced by all his fellow campers and counselors and now loves coming to camp.

Damien’s confidence continues to grow and he is known for his extravagant and creative costumes for our weekly contest on Friday mornings.

At our Bernon Family Branch’s Camp Wiggi, a parent met with staff prior to camp regarding her son Dylan and our ability to meet his needs related to cystic fibrosis.

After his first week we received a note that read, “Dylan came home super happy after his first experience with summer camp. Great and awesome counselors, very organized, are making sure the kids have great experiences. We love being part of this branch.”

At our North Attleboro Branch’s Camp Elmwood, Alexis, a camp counselor, reflects on her experience, “I love camp because it allows me to have an impact on children’s lives while having fun. It has changed my life and helped me decide what to do for the rest of my life.”

Another camp counselor, Graham, says, “My favorite thing about camp is seeing how excited the kids are each and every day! This is my first year as a counselor and it is honestly the best summer I’ve ever had.”

Please click on this link for a short video that will provide you a glimpse of a typical day at summer camp at our Y.

I hope you enjoy this special time of year with your family as much as we enjoy seeing the smiles on the faces of kids experiencing their best summer ever.

Ed Hurley
President, Hockomock Area YMCA



July news from the office of President Ed Hurley

Stay connected: check out our camp facebook pages today!

Posted on: Thursday, June 9th, 2016

Welcome to our New Website

Because your membership at the Hockomock Area YMCA is important to us and we strive to invest in your experience with us, we hope you will enjoy our new website!

A little bit of background

Because our YMCA is so active — from strengthening community, organizing community events & initiatives, and leading swim lessons, camp, yoga & so much more — there is a lot of information to organize. Our strategy is to place community collaborations and mission focus on our main page and create NEW branch-centric pages.

Branch sites have been added

We are privileged to serve nearly 30,000 members in 15 communities. However, we understand you most likely want to know about events and schedules at your local YMCA. With the new website, each branch has its own section of the website. Our Four Branch locations are easily identified at the top navigation area (look for LOCATIONS ), taking you to a dynamic home page with the most up-to-date, relevant information for that branch community.

What you will find at your branch page is exciting! Our intent is to improve members’ daily experience through the addition of:

digital schedules
blog-style presentation of what’s newsworthy at your local YMCA
comprehensive program pages detailing what’s offered year round
a vibrant and welcoming experience
online contact forms
areas set aside for sharing philanthropic impact and how to get involved

Schedules to help you plan your everyday visits

By moving to digital schedules for our categories (Group Exercise, Pool, Gym, Friends & Family) we are pleased to be able to share the most up to date calendar of what’s happening both in and outside of our Y. The icons located mid-page will bring you to a day by day calendar to help you better plan your YMCA visit. There is also a calendar icon at the top to show weekly views of the calendars. Additional facility hours and our holiday hours are also available here.

How to find Programs and Activities?

You can use the shopping cart icon () at the top menu to quickly get into online Registration, where you can view and sign up for active programs. However, you can also browse under PROGRAMS in the top menu, where you will find links to all programs and activities, even if they only run at certain times of the year or if they do not require registration. They are organized under our Y’s area of focus: YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIVING, and SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.

Since we offer so many Free Member Benefit Programs and Drop-in activities, we wanted to make information about them more accessible on the website. Please browse around under PROGRAMS to find them.

Contacting Us Online

CONTACT US

You will see we have contact forms on many pages of our new website to help better communicate with you and provide the answers you need. We look forward to hearing from you.

Go ahead, click around.

We appreciate your feedback on the new website and hope you will let us know if there is any way we can help you. We hope your experience with our new website will be one that helps you take advantage of a community that encourages fun, friendships and endless possibilities!

Posted on: Sunday, June 5th, 2016

Run, Walk, Roll for Charity in our Franklin 5K on June 26, 2016

NO CHILD SITS ON THE SIDELINES.

THE 12th ANNUAL FRANKLIN 5K
RUN ∙ WALK ∙ ROLL

SUNDAY
JUNE 26, 2016

9:00 a.m. REGISTRATION
10:00 a.m. RUN · WALK · ROLL

Remington Jefferson School
628 Washington Street Franklin, MA

Cost: $25 until June 10 | After June 10 registration is $30

REGISTER TO RUN

All proceeds benefit the Hockomock Area YMCA Reach Out for Youth and Families financial assistance program and the YMCA’s Integration Initiative, a program serving children with special needs.

The YMCA is pleased to announce the return of the Franklin 5K walk/run family event, which will be held on Sunday, June 26. Now in its twelfth year, this fun community event supports programs for children with disabilities at the Y.

The race will take place at Remington Jefferson School and the scenic surrounding neighborhood at 628 Washington Street in Franklin. Free activities for families will take place from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

The race, formerly called Run for Bob, was started by Kris and Kayla Biagiotti in memory of Kayla’s dad Bob Biagiotti and his belief that no child should be left on the sidelines. Kris continues her advocacy through this event. Inspired by Team Hoyt, Kris and Kayla (The K Girls) achieved the incredible accomplishment of being the first mother/daughter team to finish the Boston Marathon in 2013. But it was not easy. Kris and Kayla were 50 yards from the finish line when the first bomb went off, and instead of raising their hands in victory, they were forced to shield themselves from flying shrapnel. A month later, they got to cross the finish line and receive their medals at The Franklin 5K. The race has raised more than $80,000 over the past several years to benefit children with special needs.

“The Hockomock Area YMCA is to be commended for creating such a wonderful program for the youth in the communities it serves,” said Dick Hoyt upon receipt of the Legends Award in 2012 at the Y’s Legends Ball, the annual gala at the Hockomock Area YMCA raising funds for the Integration Initiative. The initiative was born 12 years ago at the Hockmomock Y out of an emerging need in our community to provide inclusive programs for children with special needs and their typically developing peers.

Register today at hockymca.org. Cost is $25, but will increase to $30 after June 10. Medals will be awarded to the top 3 men’s and women’s finishers from several age categories and all participants will receive a finisher medal. On the day of the event, walk-in registration will be offered starting at 9:00am. Pre-event bib pickup will be offered. The 5K will start at 10:00am.

Free family activities include: Kids Fun Run, inflatable obstacle course, refreshments, games, DJ entertainment, and more.

Thank you to event sponsors, who make the Franklin 5K possible: Ashworth Awards, Bay State Physical Therapy, Design Elements for Business, and the Rodman Ride for Kids.

Posted on: Sunday, June 5th, 2016

Time for a Staycation? Our Splash Park is Now Open at the Franklin Y

Just in time for summer! We are pleased to announce the brand new Rockland Trust Family Splash Park, dedicated on June 16, 2016 at our Bernon Family Branch.

This expansive water feature, adjacent to our existing outdoor pool, will provide families with lifetime memories and opportunities for quality time together. An exciting new addition, the Splash Park will provide entertainment for the entire family while adding to the value of summer camps, child care and after school programs.

Come check out The Rockland Trust Family Splash Park — an ideal spot for parents with both younger and older children, as the younger ones will be able to use the park while the older ones use the pool.

If you’re not a member of the Y, be sure to inquire about a guest pass at the front desk (photo ID required).

Posted on: Tuesday, May 31st, 2016

Rediscover Summer

NOT A MEMBER YET?

This summer, you and your loved ones can enjoy the perks of a Y membership. Take advantage of indoor and outdoor pools, state of the art wellness facilities, friendly and helpful staff, and more! From June 8th through September 5th, families and individuals can utilize the amenities available to our members, including free events and child watch.

JUST IN TIME
FOR SUMMER PROGRAMS

Summer Program Session: June 27 – August 28

We offer a wide range of summer programs to keep kids active and learning all summer long.

Register at this link today!

All kids have amazing potential and we are happy to be a place where youth belong, a welcoming place to learn and grow.

We’re proud to help kids build confidence and discover the world around them – from the youngest in our child care programs and mini-camps, to youth learning to be team players and developing life-long friendships, to teens in our leadership development initiatives.

Take a look at some of the fun we have in store this summer. We look forward to seeing you!

For summer session only, when you enroll you will automatically get a 9-week session at a 7-week rate. Discount reflected online and in branch.

Posted on: Tuesday, May 31st, 2016

Healthy Kids Day Wowed Everyone

The Hockomock Area YMCA really is WHERE FAMILIES CONNECT.

What a fun day we had on May 14 at Healthy Kids Day. Our annual event promoting healthy lifestyles, Healthy Kids Day was a great day for fit family fun. Read about our most successful Healthy Kids Day yet, held at Patriot Place with additional sponsors Stop & Shop and Norwood Hospital.

On Saturday, May 14, 2016, the Hockomock Area YMCA celebrated Healthy Kids Day with a free community event that encouraged kids to be active and provided families with options and methods for living healthier lives. More than 500 families participated. The event was held at Patriot Place in Foxboro at NRG Plaza, located outside The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon. Community partners helped make the event a success include Healthy Kids Day event sponsors Norwood Hospital, Patriot Place and Stop & Shop.

Read the news coverage by the Sun Chronicle

Posted on: Tuesday, May 31st, 2016

Celebrating Community Impact

On May 18th, we showcased our Y as a place Where Community Comes Together as we gathered at Lake Pearl in Wrentham to celebrate our annual meeting. Each year at the annual meeting, our Board of Incorporators elects new and renewing members of our Board of Directors and our Y recognizes and honors community partners and our branch Youth of the Year recipients.

This year our YMCA welcomes Bruce Auerbach, Bill Chouinard, Mary Clermont and Paul Guidoboni as new members of our Board of Directors. Re-elected to new terms were Jay Barrows, Blair Deeney, Danielle Fish, John Hage, Greg Spier, Ed Whalen and Maureen Wilkinson.

New members elected to our Board of Incorporators included Scott Berns, Jim Cashin, Kevin Cryan, Phil Dixon, Artie Eaton, Mike Gallagher, Ted Kelley, Tim Kenneally, Marie Leary, Jeff Mann, Cheryl McGuire, Candace Sallale and Alex Vasile.

The Hockomock Area YMCA enjoys a long history of outstanding volunteer leaders and we welcome all of our new Directors and Incorporators to our YMCA family.

Brian Earley, Chairman of the Board of Directors, presented the Chairman’s Award to the Robbins Family of Franklin. From the Lee W. Robbins Gymnasium dedicated at our Bernon Family Branch in 2004 to the new Robbins Family Kid’s Gym christened in January of this year, Terry Robbins and her sons, Jason and Robbie, remain passionate friends and supporters of the Hockomock Area YMCA.

Our Red Triangle Awards recognize individuals and organizations for their partnership and support of the programs and activities of our Y, helping all of us meet the changing needs of our community.

We proudly presented Red Triangle Awards to three recipients who collaborated with our YMCA on initiatives important to them and the community. This year’s Red Triangle Awardees were:

  • State Representative Jeff Roy of Franklin for his commitment to building healthier communities and leadership in creating the S.A.F.E. Coalition in Franklin addressing the opioid crisis in Massachusetts.
  • The Van De Giesen family of North Attleboro for their continued commitment to Kyle’s legacy and the expansion and evolution of the Kyle R. Van De Giesen Outdoor Leadership Center at our North Attleboro Branch.
  • The Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office for their launch of TEAM RIVAL, a high school challenge program centered around good decision making, mentoring and bullying prevention and for their work focused on crime and violence prevention in our community.

Each year our YMCA is proud to recognize the achievement of young people in our Leadership Development programs by honoring a youth of the year from each branch. This year’s awards were presented to Lindsay Robinson of our North Attleboro Branch, Samantha Bellavance of our Bernon Family Branch and Lindsey DeRusha representing our Invensys Foxboro Branch.

For the past 13 years, Dean College has presented a full scholarship to a young man or woman connected to our YMCA. Andrew Rizoli, a member of our Y since the age of 2, and an active participant in our Youth Theatre program was honored as the 2016 Dean Scholarship Award recipient.

Dean College President Dr. Paula Rooney was honored for her 20 years of visionary leadership at the college and for her longstanding partnership with our Y.

Please click on this link to see our Annual Report, highlighting our award recipients.

I hope you will take a moment to read our 2015 Annual Report to learn more about the people and programs that make the Hockomock Area YMCA a cause driven organization Where Community Comes Together.

As we honor those who have served our country, my best wishes to you and your family this Memorial Day Weekend.

Ed Hurley
President, Hockomock Area YMCA

Posted on: Tuesday, May 31st, 2016

Summer Food Program Kicks Off in Milford, Serving Free Lunch for Kids

MILFORD SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM

The Milford Area Humanitarian Coalition is pleased to present the Milford Summer Food Service Program, sponsored by the Hockomock Area YMCA in collaboration with the Milford Public Schools Food Services team. Join us at these locations:

 Memorial Elementary School, 12 Walnut Street
 The Milford Youth Center, 24 Pearl Street
 Trinity Episcopal Church, 17 Congress Street

The program’s goal is to make healthy food easy to access for kids and teens, while including some fun activities.

 Free lunch for all kids ages eighteen and under between 11:30am and 1:00pm, Monday through Friday, beginning June 23 and ending August 30, 2016.

 No advanced sign-up or paperwork required to enjoy a meal. Free and open to all!

 A snack will also be served at the Milford Youth Center from 3:00pm-3:30pm.

 Kids must remain onsite while eating the meal/snack, and each site will offer fun, interactive activities.

Find out more about the program and follow its activities this summer on Facebook: MILFORD SFSP on Facebook.How can you make a difference? Simply help us spread the word!

HOCKOMOCK AREA YMCA

300 Elmwood Street
North Attleboro, MA 02760
 508.695.7001

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HOCKOMOCK AREA YMCA LOCATIONS

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