WNJY - A Podcast for YMCA Professionals

The second episode featuring recorded content from the 2022 Regional Multicultural Learning Experience conference held December 2, at the Wayne YMCA. Darrin Anderson hosted a CEO panel discussion around such topics as diversifying leadership in the YMCA movement, advice around growing one's YMCA career, and leading with vision as YMCAs continue to emerge out of the pandemic. WNJY presents the full discussion recording. CEO panel includes Bertram Lawson, president and CEO of YMCA of Central New York; Alex Martinez, president and CEO of Lakeland Hills YMCA; Louise McCants, CEO of Capital Area YMCA (Trenton); Rick Gorab, president and CEO of Metro YMCA of the Oranges; and Jarrett Royster, president and CEO of YMCA of Delaware. The Emerging Multicultural Leadership Experience (EMLE) is a learning experience designed to provide emerging professional staff of color the opportunity to become further engaged and connected to the Y Movement. Participants will become better positioned to grow and thrive at the Y by learning from and connecting with Multi-Team or Branch Leaders and Organizational leaders who are dedicated to educating and mentoring younger staff leading to a deeper engagement with the Y Movement. IMPORTANT!! PLEASE SUPPORT THE YMCA EMPLOYEE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND (EAF)! THE FUND IS PAUSING REVIEW OF ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS BECAUSE OF SHORTAGE IN FUNDS. PLEASE DONATE TODAY. THANK YOU.

In what we hope to be a multi-episode series, WNJY presents the morning Keynote speech of the 2022 Regional Emerging Multicultural Leadership Development Experience December 2 at the Wayne YMCA. Rodrigua Ross, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas and Chair of the National African American Resource Network for YUSA, speaks about what it means to mobilize oneself in the pursuit of career growth and leadership opportunities within the YMCA movement. She has collaborated with government entities, public and private nonprofit agencies, and corporate partners nationwide to address issues such as youth development program deficiencies, improving family stability, increasing access in resource deficient communities, poverty, reducing social stigmas associated with certain populations, and the dismantling of inequitable systems. Special thanks to Washima Redding from Metro YMCA of the Oranges for help with this podcast, and WNJY host Nya Noziere for emceeing the event.

In anticipation of the upcoming Regional Emerging Multicultural Leadership Experience (REMLE) happening on December 2nd at the Wayne YMCA in Wayne, New Jersey, we speak with Khalilah Harrison, Manager of Multicultural Leadership Development (MLD) with Y-USA and Liaison to the Regional EMLE Tour Hosts! The Emerging Multicultural Leadership Experience (EMLE) is a learning experience designed to provide emerging professional staff of color the opportunity to become further engaged and connected to the Y Movement. Participants will become better positioned to grow and thrive at the Y by learning from and connecting with Multi-Team or Branch Leaders and Organizational leaders who are dedicated to educating and mentoring younger staff leading to a deeper engagement with the Y Movement. The one-day event is open to ALL YMCA STAFF, and costs $75. To register please visit the LCDC registration page here. Questions about the event may be directed to Washima Redding at [email protected]. Scholarships are available. There is also a pre-REMLE event on Thursday Dec. 1 from 6:30-8:30PM at the Hilton Garden Inn in Wayne called the REMLE Round-Up, open to all. To join the REMLE Round-Up, which is distinct from the December 2 event registration, please RSVP here. To connect with Khalilah Harrison and Multicultural Leadership opportunities, she can be reached via social media:  @MLD_2021 (Twitter); @ymcamld2022 (Instagram); @multiculturalYMCA (Facebook); @Multicultural Leadership Development (YMCA LinkedIn) For more information about YPN, please visit www.YPNchapter17.org.

In this episode, WNJY celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride Month with Taylor Sprague. Taylor is a non-binary educator, advocate, and writer who strives to open hearts and minds by sharing their story and providing accessible training around transgender and non-binary inclusion. Taylor is a Senior Program Manager at Jobs for the Future, a non-profit organization that is driving the transformation of the American workforce and education systems to achieve equitable economic advancement for all. However, Taylor also identifies as a long-time “Y Brat,” having considered the Fanwood Scotch Plains YMCA a second home throughout their childhood and young adult years. Nya and Taylor discuss growing up in the Y family, the role of Y support for teens, transition, and opportunities to get involved and be an ally to the LBGTQ+ More info: PACAA will return to Blair Academy in Blairstown, NJ, July/Aug. 2023. For more info reach out to Emily Rearer at [email protected]. PFLAG: https://pflag.org/ (this is the national site, folks can look for local chapters) Stonewall Sports (LGBTQ sports league): https://stonewallsports.leagueapps.com/ (also national side, folks can look for cities) Taylor's personal website for consulting/training/speaking (includes contact info) if anyone is interested in reaching out: https://spraguetaylor.wordpress.com/ For help with non-binary pronouns: https://www.minus18.org.au/pronouns/

YPN Chapter 17, Metro YMCA of the Oranges and the NJ State Alliance of YMCAs present a conversation with three of the Jersey 4. Nya Noziere from the Sussex Y hosts Danny Reyes, Jarmaine Grant and Rayshawn Brown who, on April 23, 1998, along with Keshon Moore, hopped in Moore’s van to drive down to North Carolina Central University basketball tryouts. USA Today reported it was on the NJ Turnpike heading south that evening when State Troopers John Hogan and James Kenna pulled up alongside Moore, who was driving, to peer across the lane at the van and its passengers. A moment later the state police were behind Moore’s van pulling them over. While reaching for his license and registration, the van slowly rolled backward, bumping the front fender of the police car. Moore had accidentally put the van in reverse, instead of park. NJ State Police open fired into the van, injuring Grant and Brown, nearly killing Reyes. The Troopers were handcuffing and arresting the men while paramedics were trying to administer care. “Under arrest for what?” Brown asked police before being airlifted to a Trenton Hospital. “You guys shot us! We didn’t do anything!” “That’s what you all say,” The Trooper responded. Police shot Reyes six times, Grant three and Brown twice. Fortunately, Moore was not hit by police bullets that night.

In this episode, Michael talks with LeeAnn Wagner, Vice President of Counseling and Social Services for YMCA of Greater Monmouth County about endemic mental health concerns in youth and teenagers. LeeAnn discusses trauma-informed care, her department’s professional trauma response team, and how to approach adolescent mental health concerns from the parent’s perspective. Sue Cornell, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement for the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance, discusses how YMCAs throughout NJ can offer programming and community space to provide care and healing to youth and families impacted by trauma and its manifestations. Online Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/; Getting Help for a Friend in Crisis: For YMCA Employees - Mental Health Go Kits on LINK

In this first episode of Season 2 of WNJY Michael interviews Dr. Meg Fisher about the January 6 updated NJ Dept. of Health Guidelines for Licensed Childcare, with post-interview analysis provided by Cindy Shields, Senior Director of Childcare Services for the Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge and South Amboy YMCA.  Ahead of that, we announce the launch of YPN Chapter 17's new website, www.YPNchapter17.org and 2022's YPN Board volunteers.   

In this episode, we talk with YPN Membership Peer Community Chair Tammy Yates, Director of Business Systems Administration for the Madison Area YMCA about coming out of COVID and bringing members back into the fold of the Y. Michael and Tammy discuss membership engagement and reinvention with James Chiappone, Associate Executive Director of Branch Operations for the Meadowlands YMCA; Edward Norgard, Associate Executive Director for Bridgewater and Somerville Branches of the Greater Somerset County YMCA; and Donna Wells (fmr. Ocasio), Member Services Director of the Cumberland Cape Atlantic YMCA. This panel discussion reviews successes during COVID, as well as forward strategies for Y's in North, South and Central New Jersey locations. YMCAYPN17

Michael interviews YPN Communication Chair Emily Michaels on current YPN Chapter 17 Events.  Then Michael interviews Dr. Meg Fisher from the NJ Department of Health's Office of the Commissioner about the COVID-19 vaccines: facts, fiction, and why you need to get it.

Michael talks with NJ's YPN Equity Committee's Jackie Silva and Nya Noziere about the work of the committee, including the NJ Equity Fund, Leadership Learning Circles and mentorships. If you are interested in more information about these YPN efforts, including participating in mentorships, please reach out to Jackie Silva ([email protected]) or Brian Sheafer ([email protected]).