Core Values in Action: Inclusiveness from YMCA of the USA

02/15/2017

Hello Everyone! and Happy Core Values in Action Wednesday!

I hope everyone was able to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a loved one, and has been putting INCLUSIVENESS into action this month! Keep your Inclusion Resolutions coming in! (I have attached a photo on this blog here)

For this week, I am posting part of a letter written by Kevin Washington, CEO of YMCA of the USA. This is his explanation of inclusiveness, and how the YMCA can be a place of inclusion. I am excited to share with you! Think about how we put inclusiveness into action at Frost Valley as you read, and think about the ways you can be inclusive in your community outside of camp. Excited to hear what you think!

“More than ever, our core values, our inclusive mission and our work to strengthen community are imperative. We must continue to be a safe place where individuals and families of all walks of life — and all political ideologies — can learn, grow and thrive together. We must continue to foster empathy and be a voice for the marginalized. We must continue to be a bridge builder and an agent of social equity. This will not always be easy, as we know, but that is precisely why our resolve is so necessary. The Y is one of the few organizations in our country with the capacity and credibility to engage all segments of society.” – Kevin Washington

As always, please share stories with me about how you are putting inclusiveness into action! You can email them to me at lhutchinson@frostvalley.org.

Peace, Love, Bibbley,

Lindsay

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nick Lomauro

Nick Lomauro is a lifetime lover of camp (overnight and day), outdoor recreation, and value-based programs. Nick grew up in the YMCA and discovered his passion for working in youth development as a summer camp counselor. Full of curiosity, Nick graduated from Montclair State University with a degree in General Humanities. Immediately following graduation Nick set off to Spain to hike the 500 mile ancient pilgrimage trail, El Camino de Santiago. Nick then returned to his childhood YMCA in NJ, of over 20 thousand members, as the Director of Youth Development. In this role he designed, developed, and implemented day camp and teen programs. In 2015, Nick returned to Frost Valley and he is now the Director of Camp Wawayanda. This is Nick's 16th summer at Frost Valley.