Category Archives: Other

Adult Classes and Workshops

Take some time for yourself, expand your interests and connect with community. Check out virtual classes and workshops offered by JCC Greater Boston.

Topics include babies and parenting, the benefits of Cannabis and CBD, cooking and baking, upcycling crochet, helping children learn to read, virtual gatherings for new parents and single parents and more! Explore all classes at bostonjcc.org/adultclasses. For more information contact family@jccgb.org.

What’s Happening at the West Suburban YMCA

Participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
This year, the Y’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is going virtual. The West Suburban YMCA is putting together care packages of succulents, a handmade card or bookmark, and a puzzle book with a pencil, eraser, and sharpener for the clients of Newton At Home, which includes senior citizens in the community that may be isolated at home due to COVID. You can help by sponsoring care packages or creating cards or bookmarks. Learn more and get involved at https://www.wsymca.org/events/mlk-day-service-event-0

Summer Camp Registration Opens on January 11th 
In 2020, the Y operated a fun and safe summer for hundreds of campers! In 2021, the Y plans to operate similarly with all COVID safety procedures in place. The Y offers two day camps, Camp Pikati on-site at the Y and Camp Chickami in Wayland, as well as one overnight camp, Camp Frank A. Day, in East Brookfield. Learn more at https://www.wsymca.org/camps

Registration is still open for Winter Programs
2020 was a challenging year that required families to break from their typical routines and adapt to new ways of doing things. Since July of 2020, the Y has been adapting as well. The Y remains committed to helping you and your family stay active, engaged, and above all, safe. The Y’s 6-week Winter Program Session will run from January 4th-February 14th and there is still time to register for these programs. Stay active as a family by signing up for swimming, sports, music, and fitness programs!

Upcoming Virtual Camp Info Sessions
Questions about camp? Sign up for a Virtual Camp Info Session. Meet staff and learn more Continue reading →

Elder Law 101 – Who will take care of my special needs adult child

Temple Emanuel presents ELDER LAW 101 : Who will take care of my special needs adult child after I am gone? Elder law attorney Don Freedman, social worker Joan Katz, and care manager Audrey Zabin, will speak on the special case of the adult special needs child and how their elder parents can protect assets and plan for their adult child’s future. The public is invited to participate on zoom. Please email Tracy at Tracys120@yahoo.com for flyer and zoom link. There is no charge.

As parents age, the concern in managing funds and planning out estate plans that focus on disability benefits and balancing the needs and burdens of other adult children becomes crucial. This conversation can involve adults with diminished capacity as well as adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Even if the adult child is in his /her teens or twenties or thirties, it is helpful for middle aged parents to think about the long term future.

Underwritten by Benchmark.

January 19th, 6:15 pm
Via Zoom

Surprise Raffle from Newton Rotary!

Thanks to a generous donor, the Newton Rotary Club now has this magnificent gift basket to raffle off! Visit RotaryNewton.org to buy tickets. Hurry – tickets are only on sale for about a week!

The best of the best all placed together in a traditional Oval Metal Basket. Truly, a galore of delights reunited to make this Holiday Season simply spectacular! Such delicacies included in this gift are Hamilton House Classic Crackers, Alehouse Snack Co. Bacon Habanero Bites, Creative Snacks Hot Honey Crunch Mix, Bella Campagna Bistro Style Whole Mixed Olives, Alehouse Sweet & Spicy Honey Mustard Dip, IL Panettiere Classic Bread Sticks, but wait! Just when you think it’s over… indulge in decadent Guylian Milk Chocolate, Socado Tiramisu Milk Chocolate Truffles, Walkers Pure Butter Shortbread Cookies, Smooth Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate with Caramel Filling, Godiva Dark Chocolate Covered Pretzels and the exceptional warm essence of Ahmad English Tea and oh so much more!

Youth Happenings at the West Suburban YMCA

December 2020 Winter Vacation Programs – December 28th – December 31st
Give your kids something to look forward to – no screens attached! Sign up for one of the Y’s school vacation programs for an active week of socially distanced games, sports, crafts, swim, and more! Learn more and download a registration form at www.wsymca.org/childcare/school-vacation-programs.

Winter Programs: January 4th – February 14th Registration is open!
2020 was a challenging year that required families to break from their typical routines and adapt to new ways of doing things. Since July of 2020, the Y has been adapting as well. The Y remains committed to helping you and your family stay active, engaged, and above all, safe.  Stay active as a family by signing up for swimming, sports, music, and fitness programs! Register today: https://www.wsymca.org/find-a-program

Create A Class – Put together the roster, and the Y will run the program!
Stay involved in your favorite activities AND keep within your bubble or cohort! The Y has introduced the option to form your own group of participants to create a class. Whether it’s your school cohort, a family bubble, or a neighbor group, the Y will work with you to set up a day and time for your group and the program of your choosing.

Most Y programs can be adapted to Create A Class. Everything from toddler tumbling to teen basketball, youth swim lessons to yoga, and everything in between! Classes can take place indoors, outdoors, or virtually.

West Suburban YMCA programs have been adapted to operate in accordance with all safety protocols and sector-specific guidelines outlined by the CDC, the state of Massachusetts, and local health authorities. If you have questions about a specific program or class, please visit the Y’s website for more information and registration.

Family Swim during December School Vacation Week
Have the pool to yourself with family swim! 30-minute reservation slots are available in the Y’s small pool. Family swim is limited to ONE family/household with a maximum of six family members. Additional family swim times available during winter vacation week! Make a reservation and learn more: https://www.wsymca.org/schedules-events/pool-schedule

YMCA Summer Camp Registration opens January 11th
In 2020, the West Suburban YMCA operated a safe, successful, and fun camp season for hundreds of children at YMCA Camp Pikati and YMCA Camp Chickami. Registration for day camp and overnight camp (YMCA Camp Frank A. Day) opens on January 11th. Day Camp deposit(s) are fully refundable until April 1, 2021, so families can maintain flexibility when making summer plans. Learn more at www.wsymca.org/camps.

Financial Assistance is always available for Y Memberships and Programs
The West Suburban YMCA is a non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to never turn anyone away due to an inability to pay. Please contact the Membership Department at 617-244-6050 ext. 3653 for financial assistance with membership or program participation.

Addressing Cyberbullying in an Online World

It may come as no surprise that increased time online in the age of COVID-19 has increased concerns about cyberbullying. Sometimes kids feel powerful by putting another person down, and it’s even easier to do now when our children aren’t face to face. CAP’s strategies help keep children SAFE, STRONG, and FREE from bullying and cyberbullying by practicing with children how to say “No” or “Stop” to stand up for themselves or for their friends. You can help them, too, by starting a conversation.

Read More for information from CAP about how bullying and cyberbullying can negatively impact children and to get resources to recognize signs, prevent the bullying, and help all the children involved.

NSHS FORJ Book Group

NSHS FORJ will host a book discussion on Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You with middle and high school students, parents and teachers. Knowledge is power, and knowledge of racism and how it works will benefit everyone living in this country. This highly engaging book has been praised as essential reading by many authors and media sources.

Join the group in reading Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds. Read or listen to Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi as they connect you to the history of racism from 1415 to today. You’ll walk away more educated so that you can powerfully practice antiracism in your daily life.

Zoom – RSVP here to receive the Zoom link for the event.

January 13th,  7:00 pm

Building Resilience Series

The Resilience Project is an innovative school- and community-based initiative designed to promote the mental health and well-being of adolescents. It provides support to students, parents, educators, counselors and communities through collaboration with school personnel, customized educational programming and improved access to treatment resources.

Join the next event in the Building Resilience Series: Coping and Distress Tolerance Techniques and Strategies. Register here: Resilience

December 17th, 10:00 – 11:00amd
Via zoom