YMCAs in Lynn, Marblehead, and communities across the state, are places where kids learn to swim, play sports, and have fun with friends. They are also places where dedicated workers are committed to child development and protecting children.
The Massachusetts Alliance of YMCAs defined the organization’s mission loud and clear during a State House lobby day last Thursday that included asking legislators to support spending $1.8 million on 30 Massachusetts YMCAs for initiatives that serve at-risk youth.
That spending request represents a $500,000 increase over this year’s at-risk state budget allocation. The additional money will help support, according to a State House News Service report, the YMCA’s safety-around-water initiative as well as teen employment, summer literacy programs, scholarships and financial aid for low-income families.
YMCA officials underscored some grim facts in urging legislators to provide additional money for water safety instruction: Drowning is the second leading cause of death in children age 4 and younger. According to the Alliance, children with autism are 160 times more likely to die from drowning than the general pediatric population.
Fortunately, YMCAs are especially equipped to help reduce drowning risks, the News Service reported.
YMCAs provide swimming lessons — including some specifically for children with autism — train and hire at-risk teens as lifeguards, and partner with schools on water safety curriculum, the report said.
The Lynn YMCA is home to initiatives highlighting different ethnic groups in the city and the YMCA and the Lynn public schools are bringing Harmony Nation, a dance program aimed at promoting youth tolerance and stamping out bullying, to the Lynn YMCA on March 2 and to Breed Middle School on March 3.
Many other great local organizations, including Gregg Neighborhood House, Girls Incorporated, Boys and Girls Club of Lynn, and Centerboard, as well as others, work with local children providing important services and care with dedicated staff members. Their efforts and accomplishments deserve legislative consideration along with initiatives proposed by YMCA directors.
The YMCA’s Youth in Government program aimed at promoting civic engagement and honing public speaking skills is as commendable as the women in science and engineering initiatives pursued by Girls Inc., and social engagement activities taught by other youth-oriented organizations.
The state Legislature ensures millions of dollars are spent on educating youth people. But childhood in 21st century America means after school and summer programs provide guidance and experiences children also receive from parents and by participating in extracurricular programs.
Kids who learn socialization skills and how to swim have the building blocks for a happy and productive life on top of the firm foundation provided by family and school. Legislators can send a message loud and clear that they are seriously studying requests for money to pay for programs not only operated by YMCAs, but by other youth-oriented programs.
