Employee Newsletter - March 2022 | YMCA Buffalo Niagara

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We hope this message finds you and your loved ones doing well. Did you know that today is International Women's Day? See how we're highlighting the occasion and other updates across YMCA Buffalo Niagara.

A Message From President & CEO John Ehrbar

Over the past few weeks, I’ve visited several of our sites and am encouraged to see full classes, an influx of new members, and great relationships being developed between employees and our members. I’ve also heard enthusiasm and excitement from many of you about the future path and direction of our Y’s work. As I mentioned in January, I hope you take a look at our Strategic Plan and identify ways in which you can play a role in moving our association forward in one or more of our strategic priorities.

My primary focus for the first few months of this year has been to allocate resources to accelerate growth in membership and summer camp programs. In addition, our leadership team is evaluating and implementing opportunities to expand the footprint of the Y’s mission impact.

It is my hope that the great work we do in our communities transforms the public’s perception of the Y from being sales-focused to solutions-focused. The work we do each day provides solutions to issues like drowning, food-insecurity, chronic disease, child safety, social isolation, and the achievement gap. I’m proud to be on this solutions-focused team with you, and I truly appreciate you sharing your time and talents with the Y to create positive, lasting change in Western New York!

People on the Move

Please join us as we congratulate the following team members who were promoted at YMCA Buffalo Niagara.

Promotions

Sally Paprocki, UPK Program Director at Ken-Ton’s Hamilton site
Jennifer Stack, Office Manager at Ken-Ton
Adam Milton, Resident Camp Executive Director at Camp Weona

Employee Spotlight:
Connor D'Anthony - Southtowns Family YMCA

This month we would like to recognize Connor D’Anthony, a staff member at the Southtowns Family YMCA who is actively involved with school-aged child care, summer camp, and birthday parties.

Recently, Connor went above and beyond to accommodate a young girl named Lacey at Eggert Elementary. Lacey has poor vision and required an eye patch to improve her sight. The thought of wearing an eye patch worried Lacey because, despite being in Kindergarten, she was concerned about how she would look.

Lacey’s siblings recently told their mother, Danielle, that Lacey now gets all of the attention and that “it wasn’t fair, because Mr. Connor put an eye patch on his eye also to make her feel better and now everyone thinks it’s cool and Lacey wants to wear the eye patch.” Danielle said her eyes filled up with tears because of the kind gesture from Connor.

Connor’s efforts epitomized the YMCA’s efforts to be an inclusive environment for all. We are so proud of Connor and look forward to his continued dedication to enriching the lives of young children.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:
National Women's History Month

YMCA Buffalo Niagara is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. March is National Women's History Month, where the Y will celebrate the contributions and achievements of women. We will also recognize the struggles of women in the movement and in our community.

In honor of National Women's History Month, the Y sat down with New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes. The majority leader, a Buffalo native, shared her story of the Y's impact on her as a young girl on Emslie Street and why it's important to celebrate being both Black and a woman.

YMCA Buffalo Niagara
2021 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 2021? 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 this Friday. The awards will be presented at our annual dinner on April 12.