BLAIR REGIONAL YMCA

BLAIR REGIONAL YMCA

WELCOME TO THE Y!

BLAIR REGIONAL YMCA is an inclusive non-profit organization of men, women and children joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living, and fostering a sense of social responsibility. At the Y, people from all backgrounds build connections through fitness, sports, and shared interests.

OUR MISSION

BLAIR REGIONAL YMCA is a non-profit association committed to our mission of putting Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

OUR CAUSE

At the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Through our Annual Giving Campaign, the Y is able to provide financial assistance to support opportunities for children, families, and individuals to participate in Y membership, programs, and services. Donations to the Y help young people achieve their potential, empower people of all ages to lead healthier lives, and strengthen the bonds of our community.

OUR AREAS OF FOCUS

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

NURTURING THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD AND TEEN

We believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. Through the Y, millions of youths are cultivating the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and educational achievement.

HEALTHY LIVING

IMPROVING INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING

In communities across the nation, the Y is a leading voice on health and well-being. With a mission centered on balance, BLAIR REGIONAL YMCA brings families closer together, encourages good health, and fosters connections through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. As a result of our shared mission, millions of youths, adults, and families are receiving the support, guidance and resources needed to achieve greater health and well-being for the spirit, mind, and body.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

GIVING BACK AND PROVIDING SUPPORT TO OUR NEIGHBORS

The Y has been listening and responding to our community’s most critical social needs since 1912. Whether developing skills or emotional well-being through education and training, preventing chronic disease, or building healthier communities, the Y continues to foster the care and respect all people need and deserve. Through the Y, hundreds of volunteers, donors, leaders, and partners are empowering our neighbors in Blair County, and throughout the nation, to be healthy, confident, connected, and secure.

child safety at the y

WELCOME TO THE Y!

Ensuring children are safe from abuse and able to learn, grow, and thrive is the highest priority of the YMCA

KNOW. SEE. RESPOND.

Everything we do builds upon these three habits in child abuse prevention.

PARENT RESOURCES

Adults and organizations in the community play a vital role in making our community a safer place.

ONGOING EDUCATION

We are continuously building upon the work we’ve done to educate ourselves and our community.

The safety and well-being of children in our care is, and always will be, our top priority.

OUR COMMITMENT

As a youth-serving organization, The Blair Regional YMCA is committed to keeping children safe in our community. That any child or teen would experience harm in our care is unacceptable. Ensuring the safety and well-being of young people is foundational to everything we do at the Y to help them learn, grow and thrive.

creating a child-safe environment

At the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Through our Annual Giving Campaign, the Y is able to provide financial assistance to support opportunities for children, families, and individuals to participate in Y membership, programs, and services. Donations to the Y help young people achieve their potential, empower people of all ages to lead healthier lives, and strengthen the bonds of our community.

  •  Conduct annual criminal history and sex offender registry checks are conducted on staff and volunteers.
  •  Conduct staff reference checks which include questions on the applicant’s suitability to work with children.
  •  Require staff and volunteers to complete training on preventing, recognizing and responding to abuse. Staff go through refresher training annually.
  •  Require staff and volunteers to agree to our child safety code of conduct which includes rules such as:
  •  Prohibits staff and volunteers from being alone with a child; interactions must be observable and interruptible.
  •  Restricts staff contact with children outside of YMCA programs (including babysitting, social networking, etc.).
  •  Provides acceptable and unacceptable physical and verbal interactions.
  •  Require allegations or suspicions of abuse be reported to the proper authorities in accordance with Pennsylvania State law.
  •  We continually evaluate and improve our child safe practices by conducting an in-depth child abuse prevention self-assessment using Know Your Score   every two years.
  •  We share our policies with parents and the community to create a network that is equipped to know, see, and respond!

Ensuring children are safe from abuse and able to learn, grow and thrive is the highest priority of the YMCA. We are committed to creating programs that protect children from abuse, but we are also committed to providing our families and community with information to keep kids safe everywhere. It is the power of our community knowing, seeing and responding which will make it more difficult for offenders to abuse.

KNOW

Know how to recognize boundary violations and how offenders operate. It’s up to us as adults to do all we can to prevent child sexual abuse and create safe environments for children. Teaching children about their bodies, recognizing warning signs, and responding to any concerns are important first steps. Even very young children can learn some skills to help keep themselves safe from sexual abuse, but it’s up to parents to help them learn what they need to know. 

SEE

Keep eyes and ears open for signs of abuse and talk with your child, asking them about your concerns. If something is wrong, you may see a sudden change in your child’s behavior, or you may hear unusual comments.

If you see or hear these things, follow up. Find a relaxed time to talk with them.

RESPOND

Respond immediately. If your child tells you about sexual abuse or inappropriate behavior, your response plays a big role in how your child understands abuse and how he/she recovers.

  • Stay calm.
  • Comfort your child.
  • Listen carefully.
  • Ask for examples.
  • Do not threaten or criticize the person your child is accusing.

You can report suspected abuse or neglect to ChildLine by calling 1-800-932-0313.

42 Million +

survivors of child sexual abuse live in the United States, yet many child victims may never disclose their abuse.

1 in 4 Girls & 1 in 6 Boys

in the U.S. experience sexual abuse by the age of 18.

1 in 5 Children

is solicited sexually on the internet before the age of 18.

90% of Children

who are abused know the abuser.