YMCA Diversifying your workforce

The benefits to increased employment for people living with disabilities may be obvious. Economic equality and a sense of shared ownership in the social aspects of society are paramount. But what about the other side of the relationship?

“The facts show that businesses can actually boost their competitive edge by making people with disabilities an integral part of their workforce and their customer base,” says David Urban, Employer Liaison/Project Coordinator for the South Shore Collaborative on Employment.

Once barriers are broken down, there are many advantages to hiring employees with disabilities. Finding and retaining skilled employees with the right qualifications and level of experience can be a challenge for any business; employers confident with hiring employees with disabilities can proactively seek candidates others may otherwise overlook in the competitive marketplace. Hiring individuals with disabilities can increase a company’s brand image with consumers. And employees with disabilities can give businesses an inside advantage to an expanded customer base. When deciding how to spend their money, people with disabilities will patronize businesses that are sensitive to and educated about their needs and know how to accommodate them. Like everyone else, they want quality products and services at reasonable prices. In order to market successfully to a specific target market, businesses have to have employees who mirror that specific target market.

On Friday, March 17, the South Shore Collaborative on Employment, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, is sponsoring a free workshop for all employers entitled “Diversify Your Workforce,” speaking directly to these benefits and more. Speakers will include State Senator Patrick O’Connor and a keynote address by Katherine Hesse, a partner of Murphy, Hesse, Toomey and Lehane, LLP, who practices primarily in labor and employment and employee benefits law. Other speakers include representatives from model employers, such as Nicole Coppens of VERC Enterprises, Inc.; Jonathan DaSilva, CVS Health; Laura Stout, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts; and Lisa Drennan, South Shore YMCA.

“I’m honored to be representing the South Shore YMCA to share with the audience the many ways in which our commitment to hiring a diverse workforce has benefited our association,” says Drennan. “This workshop will be a valuable experience for any business owner, HR personnel or hiring manager.” Topics will cover tax incentives, success stories and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The workshop is being held at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Conference Center, 1 Enterprise Dr., Quincy from 8–10 a.m. with breakfast, coffee and networking from 8–8:30 a.m. Seats are limited. Register at www.diversify-your-workforce.eventbrite.com

YMCA serves 11 local communities: The South Shore YMCA is a charity serving eleven local communities: Quincy, Randolph, Weymouth, Braintree, Milton, Hingham, Hull, Cohasset, Scituate, Norwell and Hanover. For information on how to support its work through volunteering or donations, contact Mary Orne at morne@ssymca.org or 781-264-9400, ext. 3306.

To register for South Shore YMCA programs: Visit ssymca.org/programs/online-registrationFinancial Assistance is a Y community benefit available to all families in need, applicable to all Y programs.

SSYMCA 125th Anniversary Moment: In 1943, the YMCA of Quincy reported that “Our association has adapted itself to war time needs, and been of real service to men in uniform. During the early months of 1942 thousands of showers were taken by sailors and soldiers without cost to them. Emergency sleeping facilities were and are still available. In cooperation with the U.S.O. the gymnasium and swimming pool has been available to the service men. Wednesday evenings the gymnasium has been the scene of dancing for service men and U.S.O. hostesses.”

Registration for Winter 2 Programs is now underway: ssymca.org/programs/online-registration.

Financial Assistance: A Y community benefit available to all families in need, applicable to all Y programs.

Taste of the South Shore:All kids should have the chance to just be kids. At the Y’s Resident and Day Camps, kids explore their imagination, form lasting friendships and build memories that last a lifetime. Find out how you can ensure every child gets the life-changing camp experience this summer by joining us at The Taste of the South Shore on Thursday, March 30. For more information, visit

Medical Wellness Classes Forming this March: Emilson Y, Hanover: A Matter of Balance, starts Wednesday, March 22, runs for 8 weeks, once per week. Two classes: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Quincy Y: A Matter of Balance, starts Tuesday, March 21 (eight weeks), 1–3 p.m. Diabetes Self-Management Education, starts Monday, March 20 (six weeks), 3–5:30 p.m. These programs made possible by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund. Anyone interested in enrolling may contact Meghan Patrolia, Medical Wellness Coordinator, 617-479-8500 ext. 4760 or email mpatrolia@ssymca.org, or Katelyn Szafir, Medical Wellness Director, at kszafir@ssymca.org.

Quincy Branch

79 Coddington St., Quincy, 617-479-8500

Tutoring at the YMCA: The Y provides one-on-one tutoring lessons for students in math, language arts and science. We will provide your student with extra support or enrichment in the areas of math and literacy through instruction tailored to meet their individual needs. Book your child’s half hour lesson today! For more information, contact Annie Vraibel, Director of Family Program Engagement, at avraibel@ssymca.org or 781-829-8585 ext. 8232.

Emilson Branch

75 Mill St., Hanover, 781-829-8585

YMCA NFL Flag Football Season Starts in April: YMCA NFL FLAG is the premier youth football league for girls and boys ages seven to 12. The program provides young players a fun and exciting opportunity to engage in non-contact, continuous action while learning lessons in teamwork. Each week they will have the opportunity to enhance their football skills through practice and utilize those skills in weekly games on Sundays. All games and practices are held at the Emilson YMCA outdoor field, located at 75 Mill St., Hanover. All players will receive an NFL identified team jersey and NFL flag belt. All teams are coached by parent volunteers. For more information, contact Sean Morrissey, Director of Sports, Teens, and Camps, at 781-829-8585 x8249 or smorrissey@ssymca.org.

Save the Date for Laura’s Love: On Saturday, April 8, the South Shore YMCA invites you to join us for a fun day of tennis, games, raffles, and more at the 7th Annual Laura’s Love Memorial Event, which directly benefits the Emilson YMCA’s adaptive programs. This event is in memory of Laura Emilson-Riekert, whose passion for the Y’s kids and adaptive programs was always evident. For more information about this year’s event and ways to support, ssymca.org/donations/event/lauras-love. We hope to see you there!

Save the Date! Healthy Kids Day at Emilson, April 29: YMCA Healthy Kids Day is a free, fun-filled day of activities designed to promote healthy kids and families in spirit, mind and body. Saturday, April 29, 12–2 p.m.

Camp Gordon Clark— Summer Starts Here!: Camp Gordon Clark is a place for your child to participate in activities that promote a healthy child. Components of every camper’s day include age-appropriate games and activities designed for learning new skills and promoting self-esteem through playing, running, swimming, and, most of all, fun. Choose from Traditional, Specialty, Sports, Arts and Tennis Camps for a summer for full of unforgettable enjoyment. Visit ssymca.org/camps/day-camps to view our camp brochure, and register today! To access inclusion supports, reach out to Emmy Casagrande at ecasagrande@ssymca.org to begin your child’s intake process prior to enrolling.

Laura’s Center for the Arts

97 Mill St., Hanover, 781-829-8585 x8335

Open Art Studio: Leave the mess at our house! Our art studio will be open to artists of all ages and abilities to come in and paint, draw, collage and create, limited to only what your imagination can do with our supplies. Every week we will offer a palette of mediums for you to explore together. The studio will be open from 12 to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays in March. This program is perfect for kids aged two and up with caregivers. The cost is $5, and this is a drop-in class.

You First: Adult Workshops in the Arts: Emilson’s Arts and Education Department presents a new series of programs for adults, because we are all works in progress! On Saturday, March 25, we present Found Object Shadow Boxes. Create a stunning shadow box inspired by the works of Louise Nevelson and Joseph Cornell. These quirky assemblages use texture, repetition, shadow and asymmetry to create dramatic sculptural displays from found objects. This class runs from 12:30–2 p.m. Registration is required. Cost: $35 for South Shore YMCA members; $40 for nonmembers. Contact Sioux’Sanna Ramirez-Cruz for more information at scruz@ssymca.org or 781-829-8585 ext. 8335.

LCA Preschool Enrolling now for Fall 2017: LCA Preschool is a morning program serving children 2.9 months to 5+ years old. LCA Preschool offers families a traditional preschool program enriched with a special focus on the arts, centering on a child’s creative process as a means of self-expression and discovery. The arts are incorporated into themes to encourage children to grow cognitively, socially, and physically, promoted through a daily art lesson as well as large and small group dramatic play. We are enrolling for our Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Pre-K program and our new Tuesday/Thursday 9 a.m.–11:30 a.m. preschool program. Contact Layni Loumiotis-Hook, Director/Lead Teacher, at layni@ssymca.org or (781) 924-8272, or Laureen Browning, Vice President of Youth Development, at lbrowning@ssymca.org to set up a tour.

South Shore Natural Science Center

48 Jacobs Lane, Norwell, 781-659-2559

STEMsational Superstars:Join us for an exciting day of science explorations while meeting local women scientists and engineers. Through hands-on activities, learn about the cool things they do at work! This program is designed for learners ages 3 and up, and is free with admission to the Science Center. Saturday, March 25, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Nature Center Preschool 2017 Enrollment Open: Schedule a tour to see a classroom in session and learn about our unique nature-based curriculum. Nature Center Preschool encourages each child to learn and grow in all areas of development as he/she gains love and respect for our natural world through exploration and hands-on activities. Contact the Preschool Director, Diane Thureson, dthureson@ssymca.org or call 781-659-2559 to schedule a tour.

Camps Burgess and Hayward

75 Stowe Road, Sandwich, 508-428-2571

2017 Summer Camp registration is OPEN!: Camp Burgess for Boys and Camp Hayward for Girls are traditional brother-sister overnight camps located on opposite shores of Spectacle Pond, with one Co-ed Week option in August. Our separate co-ed Adventure Trips Program for ages 12–17 offers overnight summer adventure trips, service learning and counselor-in-training programs as well as other year-round opportunities. Our programs provide campers with an engaging and supportive environment that encourages hands-on learning, self-expression, leadership building, and an appreciation for the natural world. For more information, email camp@ssymca.org, call 508-428-2571 or visit campburgessandhayward.com.

April Vacation Camp: Instead of spending vacation at home this April, come join us for a fun-filled week. This is an opportunity to catch up with summer camp friends and to welcome new friends into the Camp Burgess & Hayward Community. All participants (9 to 16 years old) are welcome. We will be playing fun camp games, enjoying campfires, and challenging ourselves on the climbing tower and high ropes course. There will also be time to meet our animals, help out on the farm, and to paddle around Spectacle Pond in canoes and kayaks. Don’t worry about the potential for cold nights in April because we will stay in the heated cabins at Camp Burgess and enjoy our meals together at the Burgess Dining Hall. In addition to all the wonderful things to do at camp, there will be opportunities to explore other parts of Cape Cod! In the spirit of the YMCA, participants will get the chance to give back to the community by volunteering with a local organization and there may even be a few surprises along the way. April Vacation Camp is a great introduction to camp for those that are interested in “testing the waters.” Transportation is available from the Emilson YMCA in Hanover. April 17 to 21. $495. Questions may be directed to Jim DiCenzo, Adventure Trips Director, 508-428-2571 ext. 109, or at jdicenzo@ssymca.org. For financial assistance inquiries, please contact Meghan Hill at 508-428-2571 ext. 101, or at mhill@ssymca.org.