At the YMCA, our greatest priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of every child who enters our doors. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time when communities across the country unite to raise awareness and take action. For the Y, this work happens every day, all year long.
We believe all children deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve in an environment where they feel physically and emotionally safe. That’s why our Y has established comprehensive child protection policies and practices that set the standard across youth-serving organizations.
From the moment a child enters one of our programs—whether it's swim lessons, afterschool care, summer camp or youth sports—they are surrounded by trained, caring adults who are committed to fostering safe, supportive spaces. Our staff undergo annual abuse prevention training, background checks and ongoing supervision. We teach children how to recognize safe boundaries and encourage open communication. We work closely with families to build awareness and strengthen protective factors at home.
But prevention doesn't stop at our front doors. The Y partners with schools, social service agencies and local law enforcement to create a community-wide safety net for children. By working together, we can intervene early and prevent abuse before it occurs.
This month, we invite you to join us in spreading awareness. Talk to your children about body safety. Learn the signs of abuse and neglect; and most importantly, be present and engaged in the lives of the children around you.
Protecting children is a shared responsibility—and at the Y, we’re proud to lead the way because when a child feels safe, they are free to learn, grow and thrive.