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A Message From President & CEO John Ehrbar
Happy New Year! I’d like to thank you for your efforts in growing the YMCA over the past year and I am extremely optimistic that our collaborative work will continue to strengthen our community in 2023.
We have taken monumental strides over the past year to engage our community, promote equity and inclusion, build for the future, and enhance our organizational capacity. When tragedy struck our community in May, our YMCAs provided important support to our East Buffalo community through food drives and other volunteering events in partnership with other area non-profits. The Y also launched Inclusive and Adaptive Programming to help young children with diverse abilities reach their full potential.
As we look ahead to 2023, let us never forget that our purpose is to serve as a catalyst to transform lives and strengthen the Western New York community by empowering young people to reach their full potential, improving our overall well-being, and providing support and inspiring action in our community.
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People on the Move
Please join us as we congratulate the following team members who have new roles at YMCA Buffalo Niagara, and welcome new team members!
- Danielle Roberts has been promoted to Vice President – Community Impact. Danielle previously held the position of Branch Executive Director at Delaware, William-Emslie, and Ken-Ton.
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Mike Jakubowicz has been promoted to Director of Child Care Administration and will be working at the Association Office. He was previously the Business Manager at Southtowns.
- Katarina Manuse has been promoted to Senior Program Director – Wellness. Kat will oversee wellness center operations and youth sports at Independent Health and Ken-Ton.
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Greg Larson will oversee Ken-Ton branch operations, in addition to his current role as Branch Executive at Independent Health.
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Amy Bantle, currently Business Manager at Independent Health, will now also oversee the office at our Ken-Ton branch.
- Tim Simko is our new Membership Director at the Southtowns YMCA.
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Jen Stack will be our Office Manager at Southtowns, moving from the same role at Ken-Ton.
- Jenna Einick is our new UPK program director overseeing sites within the Southtowns service area.
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Employee Spotlight
Catherine (Cat) Jagodzinski: Southtowns YMCA
We’d like to recognize Catherine Jagodzinski for a heroic moment outside of the YMCA’s walls.
On December 29, Cat arrived at a salon in Williamsville for a hair appointment. While there, a woman was found unconscious in a restroom by another patron who was a nurse. That nurse immediately began CPR. Cat noticed this and aided by first identifying herself as a certified lifeguard. She then donned gloves and joined the nurse, providing CPR until emergency personnel arrived.
We are incredibly proud of Cat for properly using her American Red Cross lifesaving skills from the training at the Y. Cat is also one of our American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructors and conducts monthly trainings for our lifeguards and regularly hosts community courses. While Cat acknowledges that she did not have a duty to act in this situation, she chose to help because she had the ability to do so.
Thank you, Cat, for making a true impact in our community!
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2022 Staff Recognition Award Nominations
People who embody the spirit of the YMCA deserve to be recognized for their contributions. Do you want to recognize a fellow staff member for a job well done in 2022? Nominate them for a YMCA Buffalo Niagara Employee Award!
If you have a team member that you would like to recognize, please enter their information and the award you would like to nominate them for, along with a brief reason why you are nominating them.
Please submit this form for each individual you are nominating, and have your nominations in by February 8. Award winners will be announced in March.
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Mark Your Calendars!
Important Upcoming Dates
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February 1-28
Black History Month,
American Heart Month, &
National Cancer Prevention Month
February 8
Employee Nominees Due
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February 12
Super Bowl LVII
(Let's Go Bills!)
February 12-15
National Advocacy Days
February 24
We Wear Black
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February 20
Presidents' Day
February 20-24
Winter Recess
March 1-31
National Women's History Month
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Employee Resource Page
Whether you are planning for your retirement, improving your physical and mental health, or looking for additional opportunities to make an impact, we are committed to providing key resources to aid your personal and work life. Make sure you visit our YMCA Employee Resource page for valuable information and important updates, including:
- Get to know your EAP webinar - Do you have general questions about your EAP benefits? Register and join us for a live Q&A Zoom meeting, on January 25, 12:30 - 12:50 pm.
- Workplace Posters - New York State requires employers to make mandatory workplace posters available to employees electronically, in addition to posting physical copies in the workplace.
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We're Hiring!
Do you know someone who has a passion for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility? We are actively hiring staff who want to make a difference in the lives of others. Click here to see all current positions, including:
- Wellness Center Manager
- School Age Child Care and Universal Pre-K Staff
- Lifeguards
- Custodial Staff
- Membership Service Representatives
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