Franklin Food Service Team recognized with Hockomock YMCA’s Red Triangle Award

Congratulations to the Franklin Food Service Team for being the recipient of the Hockomock YMCA’s Red Triangle Award! We are so proud of the work you do each and every day!

@FranklinPSNews

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/DrTinaRogers/status/1658970253244653568 

Franklin Food Service Team recognized with Hockomock YMCA’s Red Triangle Award

Hockomock Area YMCA: Free registration for the Choose Love Event on May 24

Scarlett Lewis, Choose Love Movement founder, will speak at a Choose Love Event sponsored by the Hockomock Area YMCA on May 24, 2023 from 6:30 to 8 PM at the Putnam Club, Gillette Stadium. The community is invited to attend this free event, ages 15+ are welcome. While this event is free, registration is required at www.hockymca.org/choose-love-event.

The Hockomock Area YMCA is hosting this event at no cost to the community, in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month and the Y’s commitment to mental well-being. At this event,   Scarlett Lewis will share how the Choose Love Formula can change your life, improve communities & cultures of groups, and promote a more loving world.  “We are thrilled to be bringing Scarlett Lewis to our community to share her journey and encourage all of us to Choose Love,” says Jim Downs, CEO of the Hockomock Area YMCA.  

Scarlett Lewis will share her journey in overcoming the tragedy, and encourage everyone to Choose Love as a response to adversity and challenges. Scarlett is a world-renowned speaker and leading advocate for character social emotional development. In 2022, Scarlett was named to Bloomberg Businessweek’s 2022 Bloomberg 50, and was a featured speaker at the New York Times DealBook Summit 2022. In 2021, Scarlett was named a Forbes 50 over 50 Impact Honoree.

Scarlett Lewis, founder and Chief Movement Officer of Choose Love, will share her inspiring story journey to become part of the solution in making the world a safer and more peaceful place after her son’s death at Sandy Hook in 2012. 

“I decided to be part of the solution to the issues that we’re seeing in our society—and that also caused the tragedy. I created programs that teach children and adults how to manage their emotions, feel connected, and have healthy relationships,“ said Lewis. “If we can teach our children that they have the power to choose a loving thought over an angry thought, we can create a more peaceful world.”

The Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement is a global nonprofit that provides Character Social Emotional Development programs for schools, homes, communities, and the workplace. Choose Love programs serve more than 3.5 million children in over 11,500 schools across the U.S. and 120 countries.

The community is encouraged to register for this free event at www.hockymca.org/choose-love-event.

About The Hockomock Area YMCA

Where Cause Meets Community. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility. 

Our YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities we are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information, visit hockymca.org.

About The Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement™

Jesse Lewis, a six-year-old first grader, was a victim of the Sandy Hook tragedy whose action saved the lives of nine classmates. Jesse left behind a message on a household chalkboard, “Nurturing Healing Love,” that became the inspiration for his mother, Scarlett, to found the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement. 

The Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a commitment to reach students, educators and individuals, nationally and internationally, and provide them with a simple, yet profound formula for choosing love. Choose Love programs are free and teach essential life skills to children and adults. It has grown organically, one person at a time over the last ten years, and now reaches 3.5 million children and adults in over 120 countries. Scarlett Lewis’ vision is to reach and positively impact 25 million people by 2025. 

Register for the free "Choose Love" event hosted by the Hockomock Y at Gillette Stadium - May 24

Register for the free "Choose Love" event hosted by the Hockomock Y at Gillette Stadium - May 24

Join us at

@GilletteStadium

on Wed, May 24 at 6:30 pm to hear Scarlett Lewis, founder of the Choose Love Movement, share her journey & encourage us all to Choose Love as a response to adversity & challenges. Free event, open to all. Ages 15+.  

Register at https://www.hockymca.org/choose-love-event/

Register for the free "Choose Love" event hosted by the Hockomock Y at Gillette Stadium - May 24

The Choose Love Movement is a global nonprofit providing Character Social Emotional Development programs for communities, schools, homes, and the workplace. This event is sponsored by our YMCA at no cost to the community due to the philanthropic support of our partners and the Y’s commitment to mental well-being. Join us for this important community event. Questions about this event, please email Brynne Kirwan, LCSW at brynnek@hockymca.org. Learn about Scarlett’s journey and her mission to encourage everyone to Choose Love. 

Five Days of Action for Child Abuse Prevention

As adults, perhaps our biggest responsibility in our lifetime is to protect our children, and the uncertainty of the world today has made that more important now than ever before. 

Statistics from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that 1 in 10 children in the United States are sexually abused before their 18th birthday, typically by someone they know and trust; and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reports that 1 in 5 children will be solicited sexually on the internet. Child sexual abuse is happening regardless of age, gender, race, religion or socio-economic class.

But these are not just numbers. Behind every number is a child, a child who has been robbed of their innocence. A child whose life will forever have been changed by the heinous act of an adult. We owe it to our children, and we owe it to their future, to do better. 

As part of our commitment to social responsibility to the communities we serve, the Hockomock Area YMCA, along with YMCAs throughout Massachusetts and across the nation will be sponsoring Five Days of Action for Child Abuse Prevention, a campaign committed to raise awareness and inspire adults to take an active role to protect children from sexual abuse. 

While child protection is our Y’s number one priority every day, this critical campaign will run from April 24th through April 28th as we approach summertime, and will shine a collective spotlight on how everyone can do something to prevent child sexual abuse. 

Our Y will share information and resources each day to our members and community partners about how adults can prevent, recognize and respond to child sexual abuse situations to keep children safe.

Help us prevent child sexual abuse through Know, See, Respond.  When adults know how abuse happens, see the warning signs, and respond quickly to prevent abuse, they foster a culture of child abuse prevention. Together we can bring awareness to the issue of child sexual abuse in our communities and have important conversations on how we can all work together to prevent it from happening. Please join our YMCA to spread important awareness and resources with your social networks and family and friends around this devastating epidemic.

Our YMCA is proud to have partnered and collaborated with school systems, municipalities and other human service organizations throughout our service area to help bring awareness, education and training regarding this issue. We remain committed to this collaborative cause and our effort to be part of a community-based prevention movement.  

Please visit one of our three branches to sign a pledge to protect kids all year long. We invite you to wear blue on Wednesday, April 26th, to show your support of protecting all children from sexual abuse.

For more information and resources, visit our website at hockymca.org/child-protection or email protectkids@hockymca.org. In addition to reviewing our online resources, the community is invited to a no-cost Bystander Training at Plainridge Park Casino on Monday, April 24th from 6:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.

As responsible adults, we need to give children a happy, healthy and safe childhood. Our world needs them, and they need us. Let’s give them the childhood they deserve.    

Jim Downs

CEO, Hockomock Area YMCA

Five Days of Action for Child Abuse Prevention

Hockomock Area YMCA - Spier Family Kindness for Kids 5k scheduled for Jun 3 - Register Now

"Registration is now open for The Spier Family Kindness for Kids 5k on June 3rd at our Invensys Foxboro Branch!

Visit https://t.co/BKCCq1s4vS to register today!"

 

Shared from Twitter ->  https://t.co/1Ilh7sJfyj  or   https://twitter.com/HockomockYMCA/status/1640504120040730624

Hockomock Area YMCA - Spier Family Kindness for Kids 5k scheduled for Jun 3 - Register Now

Hockomock Area YMCA: Impact Report shares stories of Y's response to the community needs (video)

via the Hockomock Area YMCA:

"Our Impact Report publication shares stories of our Y's response to the needs of our community. 

To read this year's publication:  https://t.co/qs2ME05exf  #BeCauseY #YForAll #ReachOut https://t.co/ta9MlYXoFJ

Hockomock Area YMCA: Impact Report shares stories of Y's response to the community needs (video)

VIDEO ≈ https://t.co/0EhP3wwUgH shown at this morning's Reach Out Campaign Breakfast. 

Watch the impactful story of Caitlin and her family. We are proud to be here for individuals and families when they need us most.  

#BeCauseY #YForAll #ReachOut https://t.co/0EhP3wwUgH

Shared from Twitter ->   https://twitter.com/HockomockYMCA/status/1636699149021184002 

and -> https://twitter.com/HockomockYMCA/status/1636714356116267018

Hockomock YMCA is hiring Camp Counselors for this year's summer camp - set up an interview now

"We are hiring!! Camp is right around the corner and we are looking for Camp Counselors! Reach out to any Foxboro, Franklin, and North Attleboro today to schedule your interview!"

Shared from Instagram ->  https://www.instagram.com/p/Co5nMeurqiP/

For more information about the Y visit their page -> https://www.hockymca.org/

Hockomock YMCA is hiring Camp Counselors for this year's summer camp - set up an interview now

Hockomock Area YMCA camp registration for Summer 2023 is open

We are excited to share that our camp registration for the 2023 season will open this week! 

Stay tuned for more details on the best summer ever. #becauseY #bestsummerever  https://www.hockymca.org/camp/

Listen to Scott Martin, Executive Director; Jim Downs, President & CEO of Hockomock Area YMCA; and Mary Clermont, Franklin resident & critical volunteer with multiple roles over the years, talk about the Hockomock YMCA and its 50th Anniversary  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/discussing-50th-anniversary-of.html

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/HockomockYMCA/status/1620225457806364672

Hockomock Area YMCA camp registration for Summer 2023 is open

Discussing the 50th Anniversary of the Hockomock YMCA (audio)

FM #911 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 911 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation about the Hockomock Area YMCA celebrating its 50th Anniversary. We had our conversation via the Zoom conference bridge on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. 

At a high level our topics were:

• Introductions and background on their Franklin or Y ‘story’

• Scott Martin, Executive Director

• Jim Downs, President & CEO of Hockomock Area YMCA

• Mary Clermont, Franklin resident & critical volunteer with multiple roles over the years

• Capital campaign and growth of services

• COVID response with Food distribution first responders day care

• Good stories of folks growing with the Y

The recording runs about 44 minutes. Let’s listen in to the discussion about the Hockomock YMCA’s 50 years. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-911-hockomock-area-ymca-50th-anniv-12-20-22

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Hockomock YMCA homepage ->  https://www.hockymca.org/ 

Bernon branch in Franklin -> https://www.hockymca.org/franklin/ 

50th Anniversary page -> https://www.hockymca.org/50-years/ 

Membership page -> https://www.hockymca.org/ymca-membership/ 

Donation are welcomed -> https://www.hockymca.org/franklin/social-responsibility/giving/  

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

hockymca.org

Teen CPR & First Aid Course scheduled for Dec 29, register now

Hockomock Area YMCA (@HockomockYMCA) tweeted Wed, Dec 07, 2022:

"Join us for a Teen CPR & First Aid Course! 

https://t.co/sZso48QvRO"

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/HockomockYMCA/status/1600445309536157697

Teen CPR & First Aid Course scheduled for Dec 29, register now

Hockomock Area YMCA’s Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Network provides a safe space

Hockomock Area YMCA (@HockomockYMCA) tweeted on Wed, Nov 09, 2022:

The Hockomock Area YMCA's Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Network provides a safe space for parents and caregiver discussion around youth mental well-being and strategies. 

Visit https://t.co/ShifsPC9aN for more info. 

To register, email BrynneK@hockymca.org. 

Shared from Twitter ->   https://twitter.com/HockomockYMCA/status/1590404013329383424

Hockomock Area YMCA’s Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Network

Hockomock Area YMCA schedules Spooky Games Oct 21

Hockomock Area YMCA (@HockomockYMCA) tweeted on Tue, Oct 11, 2022:

"Come join us for Spooky Games!  Friday, October 21st from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM  

For those who need a sensory-friendly environment, please arrive at 6:00pm. 

Branches in Foxboro, Franklin & North Attleboro. This year's theme is Encanto-Enchanted YMCA. https://t.co/LNRmrI4K8E"

Shared from Twitter ->   https://twitter.com/HockomockYMCA/status/1579985437740802048

Hockomock Area YMCA schedules spooky games Oct 21

Franklin YMCA Gymnasium Renovation Scheduled to being Oct 10, Check for Alternatives

An incredible facility project is coming soon for our Franklin Y – a new, renovated Lee Robbins Memorial Gymnasium!

This renovation is the first in a series of renovation projects in our branches to enhance the members experience, as part of our 50th Anniversary.

Renovations will include:

• New hardwood floor installation
• New safety padding
• New court lines for basketball & pickleball play
• Fresh coat of paint including the 2nd floor track area
• Four New Backboards
• Enhanced storage

Please note the following closure information as part of the renovation:

• The indoor track will be closed for painting Monday, October 3 and will re-open Monday, October 10. All members are welcome to use the Foxboro Y indoor track during this time.
• The gymnasium will close on Monday, October 10th for the renovations to begin. It will reopen in November. An exact re-open date will be shared soon, as the project begins.

All members are welcome to use our gymnasiums in North Attleboro and Foxboro (indoor track too) during this closure & renovation. Visit those branch pages for real-time schedules for open basketball times including pickleball and other gym activities.

Foxboro gym schedule

North Attleboro gym schedule

We are excited for these renovations to begin and will be a great enhancement for our youth and adult basketball & pickleball programs and for group exercise classes taking place in the gymnasium.

You can expect a fresh, modern, welcoming space for our members who play basketball, for our gymnasts, and for family members to enjoy activities during open gymnasium times. Similar to a project completed at the North Attleboro Y in 2019, our gymnasium will have a new maple hardwood floor, new safety padding, enhanced storage, new court lines for basketball and pickleball play, and a fresh coat of paint including the entire second floor track area.

Thank you for your understanding as we make improvements and enhancements to our facilities. We are excited about our new Gymnasium and look forward to sharing it with our members and the community. See you on the court!

Shared from the Hockomock Y page -> https://www.hockymca.org/franklin-gymnasium-renovation/

Franklin YMCA Gymnasium Renovation Scheduled to being Oct 10, Check for Alternatives

Hockomock Area YMCA Family Fun Day featuring the Spier Family Kindness for Kids 5K - Oct 1

On Saturday, October 1, the Hockomock Area YMCA will hold the Spier Family Kindness for Kids 5K and Family Fun Day at the Nature Trail and Cranberry Bog at Patriot Place. Located at 1 Bass Pro Drive behind Bass Pro Shops in Foxborough, this event includes a 5K, a free Kids Fun Run, a two-mile race for kids ages 12 and under, and free, family-friendly activities provided by dozens of YMCA community partners. All proceeds from the day’s event will benefit the Hockomock Y’s Food Access Programs.

Greg Spier, longtime YMCA board member, community leader and Foxborough resident, expressed, “My wife Kathy and I are so excited to sponsor this great event again this year, bringing families together for healthy activities while raising awareness of our Y’s ongoing food security programs.” 

Race participants enjoy each other’s company

Since March 2020, the Hockomock Area YMCA has provided more than 440,000 meals and more than 64,000 bags of groceries, valued at $50 each, to those in need in local communities.

“The Spier Family Kindness for Kids 5K & Family Day is an important event on our YMCA calendar.  The day celebrates and reinforces our focus on healthy living and our commitment to raise funds for our Food Access initiative so that no one goes to bed hungry,” said Jim Downs, CEO of the Hockomock Area YMCA. “Once again we are so grateful for the tremendous support of Greg and Kathy Spier as our presenting sponsors and the collaboration with our friends and our hosts at Patriot Place.” 

The 5K will begin at 8 a.m., and individuals, families and teams are welcome to run or walk. Both the 2-mile Youth Run and 0.7-mile Fun Run will begin at 9 a.m. From 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., all are welcome to participate in the Spier Family Fun Day – a free family event where children can take part in activities, crafts, and more. 

“Patriot Place is proud to once again partner with the Spier Family and the Hockomock Area YMCA to host the Spier Family Kindness for Kids 5K and Family Fun Day this Saturday, Oct. 1,” said Brian Earley, Vice President and General Manager of Patriot Place. “We look forward to this family-friendly event each year as it not only brings our community together for a fun-filled day, but also benefits the important Food Access initiative, supporting members of our community in need.” 

The starting line of the 2-mile Youth Run at the
Spier Family Kindness for Kids 5K & Family Day

Online registration for the Spier Family Kindness for Kids 5K and youth races is open now through September 29th. Interested participants can register for the 5K for $25 and for the two-mile race for $15. There is no charge for the Fun Run, but advance registration is required. Further details and registration information is available at www.hockymca.org/5k-family-day. Attendees are also encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to “Stuff the Truck” to assist those in need.

The first 200 registrants for the 5K and two- mile race will receive a commemorative Kindness for Kids 5K shirt. 

October 1 activities timeline: 

7:00 a.m. Race registration opens at the Nature Trail and Cranberry Bog at Patriot Place (available now at www.hockymca.org/5k-family-day)

8:00 a.m. Family Day begins, runs until 11:00 a.m. 

8:00 a.m. 5K race begins

9:00 a.m. Two-mile Youth Run and Fun Run begin

About The Hockomock Area YMCA

Where Cause Meets Community. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility. 

Our YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities we are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information, visit hockymca.org.

ABOUT PATRIOT PLACE

Patriot Place is a shopping, dining and entertainment destination located adjacent to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Patriot Place features large and boutique retailers, 23 casual to high-end restaurants and other nightlife venues. Among the highlights of Patriot Place are New England’s first Bass Pro Shops, a state-of-the-art, 14-screen Showcase Cinema De Lux, the award-winning Patriots Hall of Fame presented by Raytheon, the retro-style bowling alley, Splitsville Luxury Lanes, the modern gastro sports pub, CBS Sporting Club, the four-star Renaissance Boston Patriot Place Hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn Foxborough/Patriot Place and Helix eSports, the region’s largest egaming center and social hub. Patriot Place is also the home of Brigham Health and Brigham and Women’s/Mass General Health Care Centers. For more information, visit www.patriot-place.com, follow Patriot Place on Twitter (twitter.com/patriotplace) or like Patriot Place on Facebook (facebook.com/patriotplace).

Fitness Open House scheduled for the 3 Hockomock Y locations - Saturday, Sep 24

Join us on Saturday, September 24th for our Association-wide Fitness Open House! This fitness celebration is designed for you to try a variety of group exercise classes, meet our instructors, challenge yourself and have lots of fun!

Bring your friends (for free), no registration required! We’ll have raffles and prizes.

We will also be kicking off our “Back to school, Get Back to Class” Bingo Challenge that will run from September 24-October 23, 2022! Learn more about your branch’s Bingo challenge by clicking your branch below. Print out your bingo card or get one at our Fitness open house.

FRANKLIN  Y  OPEN HOUSE OFFERINGS

Saturday, September 24th: 

• 7:00-7:45am Y Cycle with Amy – Community Room 

• 8:00-8:30am Strength Training w/Jill & Amy – Gym 

• 8:00-8:50am Vinyasa Flow w/JoAnn – Studio 

• 8:30-9:00am TBC (Total Body Conditioning) w/Brenda – Gym

• 9:00-9:30am Mindful Meditation w/JoAnn – Community Room 

• 9:00-10:00am Dance Masters Class (Dance Fusion/Zumba/High Fitness) w/Kaylee, Brenda & Mayumi – Studio 

• 10:00-10:30am Pilates Fusion & Stretch w/Jill – Community Room

For the complete schedule for all 3 locations -> https://www.hockymca.org/fitness-open-house/

Fitness Open House scheduled for the 3 Hockomock Y locations

The Hockomock Area YMCA held its Reach Out Annual Campaign Breakfast on September 15th at Gillette Stadium

The Hockomock Area YMCA held its annual Campaign Breakfast on September 15th at the Gillette Stadium Putnam Club in Foxborough.  

Eric Kevorkian, chair of the Board of Directors at the Hockomock Area YMCA provided welcoming remarks and noted, “This annual gathering of caring, compassionate members of our community never fails to inspire me, and never fails to remind me of why I’m involved and why what the Y does is so important.”

The Hockomock Area YMCA is more than a place; it is a cause that is committed to strengthening communities. The Y’s annual fundraising campaign, known as Reach Out,  ensures this non-profit organization continues to address diverse, emerging, and critical human needs across the 15 communities they serve.

Special guest speakers included friend of the YMCA Norm Bossio and YMCA member Nadine Bullock.  Bossio shared, “For over 50 years, the Hockomock Area YMCA has had a vision. You’re here today to help with that vision.”  During his remarks, Bossio credits his YMCA experiences in his youth for making a difference in his life and making it his mission to continue to help and inspire others.   

 

Mary Clermont, immediate past board chair and member of the Hockomock Area Y's Board of Directors

YMCA Board of Director Mary Clermont, the Y’s immediate past chair, commented, “The Hockomock Y is our home and it’s our community. Charity starts here today. People need help and together, we can impact the lives of so many in our community.”

Hockomock Y member Nadine Bullock addressed the crowd and sharing her own family’s personal YMCA story saying, “The YMCA does a lot of good for a lot of people. I am one of those people as well.”  The Bullock family received a scholarship for their children to attend summer camp sharing, “My children needed to have fun in a place with understanding, helpful people. They needed to be doing fun things for the sake of childhood itself and to experience joy and laughter. Thank you to all the people who have made camp possible for our family and to each of you for considering a scholarship donation.”  

Nadine Bullock, the event's testimonial speaker

The Hockomock Y’s Board of Directors issued a $50,000 challenge to event attendees, matching all leadership gifts of $500 or more. Vice Chair of the Y’s Board of Directors Farzin Karim shared her own personal story,  “I benefited because someone just like one of you in this room, made a donation to the Y and allowed me to experience camp for a couple of weeks at a local YMCA.  And in that experience at the Y, it changed my life.  You have an opportunity to change someone’s life this morning and make a difference.”  

The Hockomock Y’s goal is to raise $1.4 million for this year’s campaign. The Breakfast event raised $203,000, bringing the total raised to-date to $1.2 million for this year’s campaign.  To make a gift or learn how you can volunteer, visit www.hockymca.org/give.

Jim Downs, Hockomock Area YMCA CEO thanked attendees for being at this event, believing in and supporting the Y’s mission saying, “Thank you for your trust in our Hockomock Area YMCA. For the last 5 decades, you’ve trusted us to be here when kids and families needed us most and be that critical community safety net. Our Hockomock Area YMCA is something you can always count on.”

The Y provides a safety net for thousands of individuals and families facing challenges.  The Y encourages members, volunteers, neighbors and friends in the community to join them in making a gift and raising funds to provide confidential scholarship assistance and program subsidies for those facing challenges.  The essence of Reach Out and a cornerstone of the Y’s mission is that nobody is turned away because of inability to pay. 

About Hockomock Area YMCA:

Where Cause Meets Community.  At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility. 

Our YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities we are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit www.hockymca.org/our-cause/

Hockomock Area YMCA: Inclusive Golf Team plays at TPC

On July 25, 2022 TPC Boston hosted a golf clinic for 13 participants of the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Integration Initiative. Participants were given tips from TPC Boston golf professionals, receiving instruction in putting, chipping, and full swing from professional staff at TPC Boston. Later, the newly trained golfers hit the links and played a couple of holes on the championship course in Norton, MA. 

The Hockomock Area YMCA’s Integration Initiative was established in 2004 providing children and young adults with special needs an opportunity to participate with their typically developing peers in all the programs, services, and activities offered at the Y. This inclusion program is designed to improve social skills, build self-esteem, increase physical activity, and independence and to enhance mutual respect among people of all abilities. To date, over 1,300 families have participated in the Hockomock Y’s innovative inclusive program. 

TPC Boston has hosted the golf clinic program since its inception in 2011, giving kids and young adults with special needs the opportunity to learn the game of golf and improve their skills with guidance from the club professionals. 

The day is set up for the participants to rotate through three stations – driving, chipping and putting. The club professionals are spread among the stations and actively coach participants so they can improve their golf game. Following the instructional portion of the day, the kids and young adults were able to play golf on the championship course, guided by the club pros.

While some of the participants were golfing for the first time, some of the kids had years of experience and were excited to return. The golfers from the Integration Initiative have developed their game so much that the Hockomock Y was able to start a 20-person integrated golf team in 2014, a program which is still going strong. 

The Integration Initiative was created to bring children with special needs together to participate alongside typically developing peers, and golf is a great outlet to make that happen. The social interaction, communication and patience needed for golf help emphasize the mission of inclusion. 

The YMCA looks forward to their upcoming Integration Initiative fundraisers later this year including the October 11th Legends Golf Classic tournament, also hosted by TPC Boston, which will feature sports legends from the Boston area, and their annual signature gala, the Legends Ball on November 15th, honoring Former New England Patriots Linebacker & Hall of Famer Steve Nelson and current New England Patriots Center & Captain David Andrews for their commitment to the YMCA and the community.

The Initiative has positively impacted over 1,300 families, a number which grows more and more every year thanks to events like this golf clinic. 

About Hockomock Area YMCA:

The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility.  With over 29,000 members, half under the age of 18, our promise is to partner and collaborate with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities we are privileged to serve.

About TPC Boston

Originally designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer, TPC Boston’s award-winning layout was re-designed in 2007 by celebrated golf course architect Gil Hanse, with PGA Tour player Brad Faxon serving as a consultant. The result is a compelling par-72, 7,241-yard masterpiece named by Golf Digest the “Best Private Remodel of 2007.” 

Members of the Hockomock Area YMCA unified golf team are pictured at the clinic with Don Baldassare, Head Golf Professional at TPC Boston, along with members of the TPC professional golf staff and YMCA volunteer Sophie Scott. L-R, the golfers include: Dan Deschenes, Brian Santos, Daniel Bortolotti, Mike McCarthy, Doug McNulty, Matt Cobb, Jaci Ehrlich, Kevin Leary, Liam Farley, Tim Paquin, Ben Ragazzo, Kevin Prior and Dillan Murphy.

Spier Family Issues Giving Challenge at Hockomock Area YMCA

Greg and Kathy Spier of Foxborough are once again issuing a $25,000 challenge grant to support the Hockomock Area YMCA’s commitment to address food insecurity in area towns and neighborhoods. The Spiers and the Spier Family Foundation will match every donation made July 25th through August 5th up to $25,000. When the Spier Family Kindness for Kids Challenge is met, it will result in $50,000 to benefit food security initiatives through the Hockomock Area YMCA.  

Every Wednesday, since March 2020, the Hockomock Y has provided free family-size grocery bags valued at $50 each at their branches in Foxboro, Franklin and North Attleboro to anyone in need. To date, more than 58,776 grocery bags have been distributed.  Additionally, the Y has been working with community partners and school nutrition departments to ensure that children and families have access to healthy meals when school is not in session. This summer, meals are being provided in Milford and North Attleboro.  Since March 2020, the Hockomock Y has provided 420,219 meals to those in need. 

Individuals and families continue to face financial stresses as a result of the pandemic including basic needs like food.  With the ongoing increase in the cost of groceries and gas, we are again seeing an increase in the number of people challenged with food insecurity.  “We are grateful to be part of communities full of caring people committed to improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods by working together to address community challenges,” said Jim Downs, CEO of the Hockomock Area YMCA.  “I am so proud of the work our Y continues to do in partnership with others to alleviate hunger in our communities through our Food Access initiative.  We are only able to do this through the philanthropic support of a caring community.”

“Greg and Kathy Spier have been passionate, steadfast supporters of our Food Access Initiative and their generous challenge will help ensure that we continue to be here for our neighbors,” added Downs.   

The Spier family’s impact in our local communities runs deep.  Their legacy at the Hockomock YMCA includes the naming of the indoor and outdoor aquatics centers at the Y’s Invensys Foxboro Branch, along with Greg and Kathy’s parents, Sonja and the late Alex Spier. 

Through the Spier Family Kindness for Kids Challenge, Kathy Spier expressed her hope that this challenge “will inspire people to make a gift to help people, spread kindness and provide a caring hand to those who need it in our communities.”

“We were so thrilled with the overwhelming response to last year’s Kindness for Kids Challenge,” added Kathy. “Knowing that the need continues in our community, and proud of how our YMCA is responding, we are offering this challenge again to provide an opportunity for people of all ages to come together and make a difference.” 

Greg Spier shared, “My dad always talked about wanting to leave the world a better place than he found it.  That’s why he and my mom, and Kathy and I, are such passionate supporters of the Hockomock Area YMCA.  We continue to see firsthand the impact our Y is having in responding to so many critical emerging needs.  Kathy and I are so grateful for how our Y is responding to the ongoing challenges of food insecurity.”

“The Hockomock Area YMCA remains committed to ending hunger in our neighborhoods and we join them in these efforts. Please consider a gift and we will proudly match it, July 25th through August 5th,” says Greg Spier. “Thank you in advance from the bottom of our hearts for making a gift and for your generous support.”

Every gift matters. To learn more about this challenge and ways to make a gift, visit www.hockymca.org/spier-challenge

To learn about other ways to support this initiative, please contact Katie Moore at katiem@hockymca.org. 

For more information about the Y’s food securities initiatives, visit hockymca.org/food-access. 

About Hockomock Area YMCA:

Where Cause Meets Community.  At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility. 

 

The Hockomock Area YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities they are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org.

(L-R: Kathy Spier, Greg Spier, the late Alex Spier and Sonja Spier)