Youth Volunteer Honored by the YMCA of Eastern Union County

Union, NJ, October 07, 2013 --(PR.com)-- The YMCA of Eastern Union County - Five Points Branch honored Sadesia Wray, a dedicated Youth Volunteer, naming her 2013 Youth Volunteer, at the 13th Annual New Jersey YMCA State Alliance Dinner on October 3, 2013. Ms. Wray has been an active volunteer in the YMCA School Age Child Care Program for two years. She has dedicated many hours to volunteering and making a difference in the lives of these Kindergarten through Fourth grade students. Under the guidance of the SACC counselors, Ms. Wray assisted with homework and small group activities. In addition, her high level of energy an enthusiasm for working with youth helped her establish a positive rapport with many of the students, particularly in the older grades, who look forward to her being at the site every week. Ms. Wray has always acted in a professional and mature manner, serving as a role model for the children and working cooperatively with both the YMCA staff located at the site and at their branch. Her dedication to the program has been evident the last two years by her consistency and dedication to her duties as a volunteer despite a busy academic and extracurricular schedule

Volunteers are at the heart of the YMCA, providing positive impact to the communities they serve. Jessica Samolewicz, Senior Director of Youth Development at the YMCA of Eastern Union County – Five Points Branch, credits Ms. Wray’s volunteerism ethic to her family values; “Sadesia’s family is big on volunteering and had instilled that value in their child, encouraging her to volunteer with the YMCA.”

The NJ YMCA State Alliance Dinner is an annual event highlighting volunteers and community partners who support local NJ YMCAs in the focus areas of Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. Ms. Wray was joined by other Youth Volunteers honored from YMCAs across the state for their impact in the community and dedication to improving the lives of others.

The School Age Child Care program at the YMCA of Eastern Union County serves youth in Elizabeth, Linden, Rahway and Union. The Y program impacts the community by nurturing and developing healthy habits in children through supportive staff who assist children in reaching their full potential through experiences and learning in a caring, honest, respectful and responsible atmosphere. Children are impacted by learning together, playing together, becoming part of a family that supports fun, friendship and endless possibilities. Exclusive components of the program include: Convenient before and/or after care services offered directly at the school location, Healthy Dinner and snacks are provided daily at no extra cost, Safe adherence to NJ state ratios and a minimum of two counselors in the program at all times, Supportive and designated time frames designed for home and/or quiet activities, as well as Character Development activities to emphasize the YMCA four core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility.

The YMCA of Eastern Union County - Five Points Branch is located at 201 Tucker Avenue in Union, NJ. The YMCA of Eastern Union County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, health and community service organization of caring staff and volunteers dedicated to strenghthening the foundations of community and stands For Youth Development, For Healthy Living and For Social Responsibility. The Y impacts the community by providing quality services to people of all ages, races, faiths or incomes. The Y is a powerful association of men, women and children of all ages and from all walks of life joined together by a shared passion: to strengthen the foundations of community.

For more information, please contact the YMCA of Eastern Union County – Five Points Branch at fivepointsinfo@ymcaeuc.org, 908-688-9622, Elizabeth Branch at elizabethinfo@ymcaeuc.org, 908-355-9622, Rahway Branch at rahwayinfo@ymcaeuc.org, 908-388-0057 or visit us at www.ymcaeuc.org.

About the YMCA of Eastern Union County: The YMCA of Eastern Union County is a not-for-profit community service membership organization working to meet the health and social service needs of the children, men and women. Committed to our mission of building healthy lives through programs that strengthen spirits, minds and bodies for people of all ages, religions and cultures, the YMCA serves over 15,000 youth, teens, adults, families and seniors through four branches located in Elizabeth, Union (Five Points) and Rahway. All of our programs are tools the YMCA uses to achieve its vision of strengthening the foundations of community and to reinforce the YMCA’s core values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility. Visit our website www.ymcaeuc.org .

For Youth Development – Nurturing the potential of every child and teen through child care, afterschool child care, day camp, sports, arts, learn to swim, teen and health and well-being classes.

For Healthy Living – Improving the nation’s health and well-being with programs and membership for youth, teens, adults, seniors and families. Programs include: yoga, zumba, volleyball, basketball, tae kwon do, arthritis, dance, health assessments, personal training, diabetes prevention, swimming and adult and child learn to swim.

For Social Responsibility – Giving back and providing support for our neighbors. The Y has supportive housing for individuals and families, Adult Day Care, Financial Assistance along with community engagement.