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Innovate for Impact Brings New Programs to the MVYMCA

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At the Merrimack Valley YMCA, we know our most valuable assets are our staff and the programs they have developed in support of the community. With that in mind, this year we launched the Innovate for Impact program, which invited employees to come up with an idea for a new program or initiative, work on a proposal, and pitch it to a panel of judges. In all, nearly a dozen new project ideas were pitched by staff members, either working alone or in teams. In a ceremony on March 10, 2020, four projects were awarded mini-grants to help make these ideas a reality.

YMCA Art Gallery

Health and Wellness Instructor at the Andover/North Andover YMCA Beverly Therkelsen was awarded $1,000 to create an art gallery designed to build healthy minds and spirits for all. The idea is to display art from local artists in the hallways leading to the Active Living Center at the Andover/North Andover YMCA. The art would be switched out periodically and would be available for sale, supporting both local artists and the Y. The art gallery would be a source of inspiration and connectivity for members and guests of the Y.

Sunday Swim

Lawrence YMCA Lifeguard Devin Murphy was awarded $1,500 to implement his aquatics program designed for children with special needs at the Lawrence YMCA. This program would teach basic water safety and swim techniques, but it would also offer support to families with shared experiences. The program serves a need that is not currently being addressed in the community. Devin came up with the idea through his desire to make a difference in the life of a child in need.

My Kids Closet

A team from the Methuen YMCA, including Senior Director of Child Care Mary Ellen King and preschool teachers Heidi Gebhardt, Britney Lebel and Caitlyn Haneffant were awarded $3,000 for their program to provide high-quality seasonal clothing for families in need. The closet would be open once a month and stocked with clean donated clothing from Y members and the community. Participants will be able to donate back to the closet, creating an environment where everyone has access and everyone gives back.

Volunteers Matter

Executive Assistant to the CEO Dianne Andriolo and Lawrence YMCA Aquatics Director Jessica Murray were awarded $4,500 to create a program dedicated to centralizing our volunteer initiatives. This program will strengthen the partnership between volunteers and staff. By growing a vibrant volunteer community to initiate and support programs across the organization, this program will address a mission critical issue for the Y. After all, volunteers are at the heart of our organization!

All of the Innovate for Impact participants attended trainings throughout the process and all grew as a result of the experience. Four dedicated Y volunteers served as judges for the program. Rev. Bill Ingraham, Mark Kristiansen, Jennifer Montgomery and Rosa Munoz generously shared their time and talents with the participants and made the difficult decision to choose just four projects. Funding for the mini-grants was made possible through the generosity of VJ Mill III.

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