NEWS & UPDATES
HOCKOMOCK AREA YMCA


Posted on: Friday, August 13th, 2021

Health Management Classes

We provide comprehensive support programs to address specific challenges associated with diseases such as cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and diabetes. We’re excited to resume these classes in 2021 safely at our YMCA in both in-person and virtual settings.

Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program

Our YMCA is a provider of the Blood Pressure Self Monitoring program which supports individuals with hypertension lower their blood pressure by following an evidence-based program that combines blood pressure self-monitoring, nutrition education and personalized support. This 16-week program helps individuals better manage hypertension and improve their overall health. Less than half of all Americans living with hypertension have it under control. Research shows that the simple process of checking and recording blood pressure at least twice a month over four months may lower blood pressure in some people with hypertension.

Please email Kasia Frenette kasiaf@hockymca.org or call 508-643-5271.

Cost is $30 for members; $50 for non-members.

Participants must meet the following criteria to participate in the program:

  • 18 years old or older
  • diagnosed with high blood pressure
  • not have experienced a recent cardiac event
  • not have atrial fibrillation or other arrhythmias
  • not be at risk for lymphedema

LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA Program

Cancer is a life-changing disease that takes a tremendous physical and emotional toll on those affected. The Y and LIVESTRONG have joined together to create LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, an evidence-based physical activity and well-being program designed to help adult cancer survivors reclaim their total health. Participants work with Y staff trained in supportive cancer care to safely achieve their goals such as building muscle mass and strength, increasing flexibility and endurance, and improving confidence and self-esteem. The program includes a no-cost 12 week membership for the participant and his/her family.

New Fall sessions now forming and classes will begin the week of September 13th.

  • Foxboro Y:Tuesdays & Thursdays: 10:30am-12:00pm session or 6:00pm-7:30pm session
  • Franklin Y: Mondays & Wednesdays: 6:00pm-7:30pm
  • North Attleboro Y: Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:00am-11:30am

To learn more about the program, please contact: Jackie Robison at jackier@hockymca.org or call at 508-772-1310.

Participants work with Y staff trained in supportive cancer care to safely achieve their goals such as building muscle mass and strength; increasing flexibility and endurance; and improving confidence and self-esteem. By focusing on the whole person and not the disease, LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is helping people move beyond cancer in spirit, mind and body.

Diabetes Prevention Program

The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is designed to support adults who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and reduce their risk.

Prediabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Risk for developing type 2 diabetes may be reduced or eliminated by weight loss, healthier eating and increased physical activity. More than 86 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk of developing diabetes.

Prediabetes may be reversible; diabetes has no cure. Fortunately, our Diabetes Prevention Program is designed to support adults at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and to reduce their risk for developing the disease. This 1-year program, consists of 24 sessions, providing a welcoming environment where participants work together in a small group with certified YMCA instructors to learn about healthier eating and increasing their physical activity. Program fee includes a 12-week YMCA membership.

Classes are Thursdays 12:30pm-1:30pm at our North Attleboro Y beginning September 9th. Evening classes to begin in October.

Cost is $285 for members; $429 for non-members.

The goal of the program is to help adults at risk for diabetes reduce their body weight by 5 to 7 percent and increase their physical activity to 150 minutes per week. Studies have shown that programs like the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program can prevent or delay new cases of type 2 diabetes in adults by 58 percent and by as much as 71 percent in those over age 60.

For more information, please call Donna Higgins at 508-772-1310 or phl@hockymca.org.

MS Wellness

A 12-week program designed for individuals living with multiple sclerosis, with a focus on regular physical activity and improved nutrition. Includes a 12-week membership to the YMCA.

New Fall sessions now forming.

Free for members and non-members.

For more information, please call Donna Higgins at 508-772-1310 or phl@hockymca.org.

Posted on: Tuesday, June 15th, 2021

Spooky Games – Free Halloween Party

Join us for our annual Spooky Games – a free Halloween event for our members!

Details

WHERE: at our branches in Foxboro, Franklin and North Attleboro

WHEN: Friday, October 22nd

  • 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in North Attleboro. We will have a Trunk or Treat event starting at 6pm in our secondary parking lot outdoors – with activities happening in our gymnasium as well. Please bring a bag to collect items.
  • 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in Foxboro and Franklin. These are outdoor events so please dress accordingly.

No advanced registration is needed.
Activities will include: face painting, inflatables, camp fire, crafts and much more.

   

We look forward to seeing you in your Halloween costume!

Posted on: Sunday, June 13th, 2021

Help Us Keep in Touch

We want to be sure our members are receiving our communications.

Update your contact info.


TO UPDATE:

CLICK HERE.

A) If you already have an account, enter your email address and password into the Left Box.
When you get to the next screen, you will see your photo in a gray box. In that box you will see a ‘pencil’, click the pencil and update your contact information.


B) If you need to set up online access for your account, select “Find Account” in the Middle Box.

STEP 1: Enter your last name, birth date and zip code. When you click submit, you will be prompted to enter your email address associated with your Y membership*.

STEP 2: Check your email and follow the instructions.

*If you don’t have a valid email address connected to your Y membership, please contact a Member Service Desk and we will assist you. Foxboro: 508-543-2523; Franklin: 508-528-8708; North Attleboro: 508-695-7001. Email addresses are the unique identifier for set up. If one email is listed on more than one member, you will not be able to set up your online account. Please contact your home branch to have the duplicate email removed.

STEP 3: When you return to Daxko, you’ll be able to enter your new credentials. You are ready to view your account and register online for future programs.


By updating your contact information, we will keep you in the know with the most up to date information about our Y and about resources that are available to you.

Thank you for being a member of our Y.

Posted on: Friday, June 11th, 2021

Fall Sports Leagues

Get back in the game this Fall with YMCA Youth Sports! Now registering for Fall Season!

Basketball, soccer and flag football for boys and girls ages 3-12 are back! Come learn to love a sport at the Y. These spots will fill up and most are FREE for Hockomock Area YMCA family type members (see note below*) so take a look and reconnect through great sports games, classes and community time.

** CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW **

Crafty 3v3 bball games are back—using the innovative scoring and fast paced short sided games of the Crafty program that’s been running at the Y since 2019. Click here to learn more about the points system (and let us know if you have any questions). We truly believe this is the best way to learn basketball. (Crafty Basketball takes place at the indoor courts)

Runs Saturdays ≈ Foxboro, Franklin: 9/11-10/30 (75 min.)
Runs Wednesdays ≈ North: 9/15-11/3 (75 min.)
Cost: $85.00 for all in the community (no uniform and no promo code discount available)
Crafty 3v3 Basketball Details:
• @ the Foxboro Y SAT 10:00 am grade 2 coed; 11:15 am grades 3 & 4 boys; 12:30 pm grades 3 & 4 girls; 1:45 pm grades 5 & 6 boysgirls
• @ the Franklin Y SAT 1:00 pm grade 2 coed; 2:15 pm grades 3 & 4 boys; 3:30 pm grades 5 & 6 boys; 4:45 pm grades 3 & 4 girls
• @ the North Attleboro Y WED 4:15 pm grades 1-2 coed; 5:45 pm grades 3 & 4 coed; 7:15 pm grades 5 & 6 coed
Register for Crafty Basketball today.

FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Three coed league practices will be followed by five games on our outdoor fields. Everyone plays and is encouraged to perform at the best of their ability. Uniforms will be distributed after your first practice.

Runs Fridays: 9/10-10/29 (1 hour)
Cost: $122 member / $150 non-member includes NFL Flag Football jersey
Flag Football League Details:
• @ the Foxboro Y 6:00 pm ages 6-8; 7:10 pm ages 9-12
• @ the North Attleboro Y 6:00 pm ages 6-7; 7:15 pm ages 8-10
Register for Flag Football Leagues today.

SOCCER LEAGUE

Three coed league practices will be followed by five games on our outdoor fields. Everyone plays and is encouraged to perform at the best of their ability. Uniforms will be distributed after your first practice.

Runs Saturdays ≈ Franklin: 9/11-10/30 (1 hour)
Runs Sundays ≈ Foxboro, North: 9/12-10/31 (1 hour)
Cost: $86 member / $110 non-member includes uniform t-shirt
Soccer League Details:
• @ the Franklin Y SAT 10:15 am age 4; 11:30 am ages 5-6
• @ the Foxboro Y SUN 10:00 am age 4; 11:10 am ages 5-6
• @ the North Attleboro Y SUN 9:30 am ages 4-5; 10:45 am ages 6-7; 12:00 pm ages 8-10
Register for Soccer Leagues today.


** WE ARE ALSO RUNNING PREP-FOR-LEAGUES CLASSES **

Read on for all the ways your younger athletes can get out to the Y and get their game on this fall!

FLAG FOOTBALL PREP FOR LEAGUES

Young athletes wanting to learn to play football and what it’s like to be coached can get in on the game with outdoor classes held weekly. Your chance to play YMCA league sports will be here soon so get some experience this fall and connect with your peers for a ton of fun. Developmentally appropriate curriculum will be followed that’s proven to engage boys and girls and teach fundamentals of the sport.

Runs Fridays: 9/10/-10/29 (45 min.)
Cost: $64 member / $128 non-member
Football Prep Details:
• @ the Foxboro Y 4:30 pm ages 4-5
• @ the North Attleboro Y 5:00 pm age 5
Register for a Sports League Prep Program today.

SOCCER PREP FOR LEAGUES

Three year old children in our community have tons of learning potential and limitless energy. Let them seize the opportunity to be outdoors running and kicking the soccer ball at the YMCA. This option will include lots of coaching and developmentally appropriate fun on the soccer field.

Runs Saturdays ≈ Franklin: 9/11-10/30 (45 min.)
Runs Sundays ≈ Foxboro, North: 9/12-10/31 (45 min.)
Cost: $64 member / $128 non-member
Soccer Prep Details:
• @ the Franklin Y SAT 9:00 am age 3
• @ the North Attleboro Y SUN 8:45 am age 3
• @ the Foxboro Y SUN 9:00 am age 3
Register for a Sports League Prep Program today.

* ATTN: FAMILY MEMBERSHIP TYPES

As a perk of membership, all Hockomock Y “Family” & “One Adult Family” members receive FREE enrollment for all of the options listed above, excluding Crafty Basketball. Please use the promo code sent on 7/19 to the email address associated with your YMCA membership and simply register as you normally would. Please be prepared at checkout to pay uniform fee(s): $15 (soccer league), $30 (football league) when using a promo code.

Questions, please call the Y at our numbers listed at the bottom of the website or email your local YMCA: foxboro@hockymca.org | franklin@hockymca.org | northattleboro@hockymca.org.

We can’t wait to see you at the Y!

Posted on: Sunday, May 30th, 2021

Summer Gymnastics

Summer Sizzles at the Y. Did you know we offer Gymnastics programs for children age 6 months up to 14 years? From cartwheels to confidence, the Hockomock Area YMCA Gymnastic Centers in Foxboro, Franklin and North Attleboro are proud to celebrate youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Our facilities host a variety of programs designed to help children and young adults thrive at their own pace while building strength, flexibility, self-confidence and coordination. Programs for Summer 2021 are described below.

GYMNASTICS CAMP M-F

Flexibility, strength training, dance, recreational swimming and crafts will be followed by full afternoons of gymnastics. Campers will end their week with a special Friday performance.

  • $305 member / $427 non-member
  • 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (coed)
  • WHO: age 3-14 – with groupings made by age to ensure the development of gymnastics and social skills for each participant. Everyone in the community is welcome!
  • DETAILS:
    • NORTH ATTLEBORO » June 21–Aug 27 (no meeting week of July 26)
    • FRANKLN » June 28–Aug 20 (grade 1+, no meeting week of Aug 9). We offer 1/2 day programming (described below) for preschool aged children.
    • FOXBORO » July 12–Aug 13
  • CLICK HERE to Register for Camp

1/2 DAY PROGRAM

Let’s get moving, preschoolers! The Franklin Y offers a full morning of gymnastics and more. Children will move through skill stations and obstacle courses on all the gymnastics apparatus: bars, beam, floor and vault. Program includes creative movement exercises and lots of new activities including games and art & crafts.

  • Per day: $35 member / $70 non-member (Per week $168 member / $336 non-member)
  • 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (coed)
  • WHO: age 3-6
  • Choose your week (and any number of days per week) starting July 5 and running through August 6
  • CLICK HERE to Register for Gymnastics Half Day

Please have campers bring lunch, snacks and water each day to break and re-charge. Half day participants will also need water and snacks. Pre and post camp is offered at all locations as early as 7:00am and ending at 6:00pm.

GYMNASTICS CLASSES

We are also running 45 minute classes throughout summer. Options starting the week of June 21st range from parent/child to classes for preschoolers and up to advanced gymnasts ready for team competition. If you’re interested in our gymnastics competition or pre team opportunities, please reach out to your local Y’s gymnastics director at the email addresses below. All in the community are welcome.

  • $94 member / $188 non-member FOR 10 WEEKS OF CLASS*
  • DETAILS:
    • FOXBORO
      • age 6 months-4 years (parent or guardian/child) Sat 8:30 am; Sun 9:00 am
      • age 3-6 Sat 9:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm
      • age 6-14 Sat 10:30 am
    • FRANKLIN
      • age 3-14 Tue 3:45 pm, 4:45 pm; Wed 3:45 pm, 4:45 pm, 5:45 pm; Thu 3:45 pm, 4:45 pm
      • age 6-14 (boys only) Tue 4:45 pm
    • NORTH ATTLEBORO
      • age 1-3 (parent or guardian/child) Mon 8:30 am; Sat 8:30 am
      • age 3-6 Thu 8:30 am; Sat 9:30 am
      • age 6-14 Thu 3:30 pm; Fri 3:30 pm, 4:30 pm; Sat 10:30 am
  • CLICK HERE to Register for Parent or Guardian and Child Gymnastics Classes
  • CLICK HERE to Register for Preschool Gymnastics Classes
  • CLICK HERE to Register for School-Aged Gymnastics Classes

* Classes are priced at what we’d normally charge for eight weeks to accommodate your summer travel plans. You can sign up for 10 weeks but feel ok about missing one or two classes at no financial loss.

We look forward to a great summer with your kids! Questions? Please contact Gymnastics Directors: Ashli Philips (Foxboro) ashlip@hockymca.org 508-543-2523 (member services) | Lacey Whitaker (Franklin) laceyw@hockymca.org 508-528-8708 (member services) | Erin Shea (North Attleboro) erins@hockymca.org 508-695-7001 (member services).



For information on additional youth programs at the Y, please visit HOCKYMCA.ORG/SUMMER-CLASSES and HOCKYMCA.ORG/CAMP.

Posted on: Wednesday, March 17th, 2021

Tony Calcia’s Celebration of Life

Tony Calcia’s Celebration of Life

  • Saturday, June 19, 2021
  • 10:30am
  • Community Field in North Attleboro, MA

When our beloved Tony Calcia passed away unexpectedly in March of 2020, it was during a time of strict restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While every effort was made to honor Tony in a fitting way back in March, it was done with a promise that when restrictions were eased, we would provide an opportunity for family, friends, colleagues, and the community to pay tribute to this amazing man.

Staying true to this promise, we invite you to share in celebrating the life and legacy of Tony Calcia.

Posted on: Monday, March 1st, 2021

Make a gift today, to help us do good

During times of crisis, together we can make a difference to help our friends and neighbors in our communities.

As all of us face this unprecedented time of uncertainty, we ask you to consider joining us in our mission driven work. We are proud that our Y is working with school nutrition departments and community partners to ensure that children and families have meals while schools are closed.

Please consider making a gift to support these important efforts.

Donations made to our YMCA during the current health crisis will be designated to Emergency Food Access to help neighbors and friends in your community have access to food.

Your support helps ensure that our mission is grounded in serving the greater good and that we continue to be there for people and communities to be stronger together.

DONATE NOW

As a not for profit charitable organization, we are proud our YMCA ensures that every individual and family has access to our Y and the essentials needed to learn, grow and thrive. Now more than ever, we need to support all those around us.

This is made possible through the generosity of our compassionate donors, members, business and community partners, staff and volunteers working together to enhance lives and enrich our community.

We are thankful for our extraordinary partners and businesses who have joined our philanthropic efforts during this time. A special thanks to the following leadership donors:
Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts
Baby2Baby
The Greater Attleboro Stronger Together Fund
Foundation for MetroWest
Greg and Kathy Spier
Bristol County Savings Bank
Anonymous
Jeff and Julie Kinney
Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation
CVS Health
United Way of Massachusetts Bay
Dave and Anne Doran
Anonymous
Harvard Pilgrim Health Foundation
Albertsons Community Foundation
Eastern Bank
No Kid Hungry
ConvenientMD Urgent Care
Vickie Lechner and Mike Lally
MetroWest Health Foundation
Kraft Family, the Patriots Charitable Foundation and the Mass Military Support Foundation
Greater Boston Food Bank
Eos Foundation
Honey Dew Family Foundation
CHNA 7 MetroWest
Jeff and Pam Dufficy
Rodman Ride for Kids
Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation
Dick and Gail Stevens
Tom and Trish Gruppioni
The Captain Kyle R. Van De Giesen Memorial Award Fund
Boulevard Liquors
Stop & Shop
The Clermont Family
Ed and Sue Hurley
Jim and Amy Downs
Jill Bell
The Mosca Family
Microsoft
Stephen Clapp and Michelle Bernier
Project Bread
John and Erin Spinney
Dr. Gerry Shaw and Dr. Paula Rooney
YMCA Leadership Team
The Boston Foundation
Todd and Yadira Patkin
RSA Daycare Supplies

Thanks again to all of our generous donors. We couldn’t do this important work without dedicated, caring people and businesses.

For more information or if you have questions, please contact Katie Moore at 508-643-5265 or katiem@hockymca.org.

We are grateful to be part of the Stronger Together Attleboro Fund which supports 26 nonprofits in Attleboro, North Attleboro, Mansfield, Norton, Rehoboth and Dighton.

Posted on: Monday, February 22nd, 2021

Virtual Fitness Class Schedule

In order to stay connected with your friends — both YMCA members and your fitness coaches here at the Y, we are pleased to share our virtual schedule with you, which you can do from home. Let’s roll out our mat, grab some weights, lace up our sneakers and stay fit together.

Live-Streaming On Facebook and Zoom

View our Virtual Fitness Calendar of live classes every day. We are live-streaming classes on Facebook and on Zoom, so you can get together with Y members and your favorite trainers and instructors to bring us closer as a YMCA family.

Like us on our Facebook pages: our Hockomock Area YMCA Facebook Page and our Hockomock Area YMCA’s Health and Wellness Facebook Page.

Virtual Fitness on YouTube

We’ve built a large collection of recorded Virtual Fitness videos on the Hockomock YMCA’s YouTube. You’ll find everything from Bootcamp to Yoga classes, nutrition, stuff for kids and active older adults.


For our live streaming ZOOM classes:
Zoom has recently increased security protocols which include password protected links.

To join a Zoom class, simply click the class link at the designated time and you will enter a waiting room. A staff person will admit you to the live class! When using Zoom, you can join with your camera on or off. If you join with your camera on, you and your surroundings are visible to other participants. If you join with your camera off, only your name is displayed.

*If you have any troubles joining the Zoom workout, please message us on our Health and Wellness Facebook Page. Right before and during the virtual class, Y Staff will be available for questions on our Health & Wellness Facebook Page as well as on Zoom to help you.

We look forward to staying connected with you. When you workout with your Y community, be sure to share and tag us so we know you are here.

Please take care of yourself and your loved ones. Thank you for being part of our Y family!

Enjoy your workout!

Posted on: Monday, January 18th, 2021

Child Sexual Abuse Prevention

Throughout the year, we encourage all individuals and organizations to play an active role in making our local communities a safer place for children and families. Together we can prevent child sexual abuse by ensuring that adults have the knowledge, skills and resources needed to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.

Statistics from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that 1 in 6 boys and 1 in 4 girls in the United States are sexually abused before their 18th birthday, typically at the hand of someone they know and trust; and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reports that 1 in 5 children will be solicited sexually on the internet. Sadly, child abuse is happening, and it’s regardless of age, gender, race, religion or socio-economic class.

In support of April being Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Month, our Y’s 14 childcare centers will be participating in Norfolk Advocates for Children’s “Rocking for Kids” event. NAC is putting together a rock garden in Foxboro, for their Garden of Hope, a spot to help brighten the lives of children who have been the victims of sexual abuse. For their garden, NAC is providing rock kits for participants to pick up which contain paint, paintbrushes, and rocks to paint. By the end of April, we will provide NAC’s Garden of Hope with 353 painted rocks. If you would like to drop off a painted rock to add to our pile, please bring it in to one of our Member Service Desks, and we will include it with our rocks when we deliver to Norfolk Advocates for Children.

In April we shared educational resources on social media on what we can do every day to help prevent child sexual abuse. When adults know how abuse happens, see the warning signs, and respond quickly to prevent abuse, they foster a culture of child abuse prevention. Together we can stop it from happening. Please join us in sharing these messages on social media with network of family, friends and colleagues.

For more information about training opportunities for your organization, please email protectkids@hockymca.org.

Our next Five Days of Action Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Initiative will take place June 7-11, 2021. We look forward to doing even more to help stop this crisis.


WHAT CAN YOU DO?:

Pledge to protect children every single day, one day at a time.

Know the facts. See the warning signs. Respond quickly to prevent child sexual abuse.


ORGANIZATIONAL RESOURCES

it’s important to know how to recognize and respond if someone needs help or support. Below are a list of resources to help.

What can you do as an individual or as an organization to help protect children from sexual abuse? Watch our Know See Respond video to learn more.


Hockomock Area YMCA Child Protection Trifold

Step-Up & Speak Out: A Parent’s Guide to Selecting Youth Serving Organizations

Mandated Reporting: What You Need to Know

How to Respond to a Survivor

Local Resources
English version
Spanish version
Arabic version
Portuguese version
Vietnamese version

CHILD PROTECTION TRAININGS

Have your place of business implement child protection trainings and policies.

5% of a community trained in Child Protection to be aware and responsive is the tipping point to make a positive change*. (Statistic from Darkness to Light)

If you are a member of an organization or community group that would like to learn more about our comprehensive trainings on Child Abuse Prevention, please email us at protectkids@hockymca.org.

For more information or strategies for talking with kids, you can access Darkness to Light’s 30-minute “Talking with Children” Training at no charge by registering and using code Talk2020.

Take the free “Protecting Children During a Crisis” Training in English or Spanish. You will need to create a login/password first on the Darkness to Light website before accessing the video.

Take the Darkness to Light Online Training.



Thank you for reading and helping learn more to prevent abuse so that we can give children the childhood they deserve.

#BeCauseY

Posted on: Friday, January 1st, 2021

Looking Back at 2020

2020 was a challenging year for many of us both personally and professionally. Throughout the pandemic one thing never changed: community minded supporters of our YMCA coming together in inspiring ways to be there to support each other and rekindle hope.

Despite the many challenges of the past year, I am so proud that our YMCA continued to make impactful contributions in the areas of food insecurity, child care, health & wellness and other emerging needs in our local communities.

And my commitment to you is that in 2021 our cause-driven YMCA will remain focused on being there in innovative and progressive ways to continue to provide a safety net for our neighbors in their time of need.

I hope you enjoy this brief video highlighting the collective impact we experienced in 2020.

With deep appreciation,

Ed Hurley
CEO, Hockomock Area YMCA