SOUTH SHORE YMCA

Celebrating Sheryl Rosa’s 22 Years of Service to South Shore YMCA Partnership Program

Posted: Dec. 02, 2022 Partnership Program

The South Shore YMCA’s Partnership Program is an adaptive, recreational, non-clinical fitness program designed specifically for people with physical disabilities to more fully enjoy all that the Y has to offer. Using specialized equipment, a team of Y training partners assist participants with exercise routines to improve or maintain physical conditioning and activities of daily living.

And, when you think of our Partnership Program here at the Hale Family YMCA in Quincy, you automatically think of Sheryl Rosa, who is retiring this year after coordinating the program here for 22 years.

Sheryl started at the South Shore YMCA as an intern in 1996 while she was a Senior at UMASS Boston, earning a degree in Exercise Physiology. Sheryl is a 2010 published co-author in ‘Strength & Conditioning Journal’, with her article on “Physical Fitness Programming for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries.” Under her guidance, the Partnership Program won the Nova7 Award Certificate of Excellence in 2000.

“Education is everything,” says Sheryl. “Strengthening weak muscles or maintaining the strength that one has so that they can live as independently as possible is a priority for our physically disabled members. I feel very privileged to be able to assist them toward that goal. Improving the quality of life for all, that is the Partnership Program in a nutshell.”

Through the years, Sheryl has grown the Partnership Program from 3 pieces of adaptive equipment to over 20 pieces. With her knowledge and experience, she has helped guide and mentor hundreds of high school and college interns majoring in Physical Therapy, Exercise Science, and Kinesiology. She does her research to fully understand each individual and their diagnosis, truly meeting them where they are in their journey to help them be successful and feel proud.

“Words are inadequate when I try to describe what Sheryl Rosa has meant to me and the Partnership Program at the South Shore YMCA over the greater than 20 years she has served,” shared Jane McInerny, MD. “I met Sheryl greater than 15 years ago. I was trying to adjust to living my life as a middle-aged woman with multiple sclerosis. The welcome I got exceeded all my expectations and I have been a committed member of the program for greater than 15 years. Sheryl has served as a role model and mentor for untold numbers of students studying exercise physiology and physical. therapy. The value of this program for the disability community cannot be understated.  I have always felt that I have a home and welcoming community at the Y, thanks to Sheryl.  Although she deserves the time to rest and attend to other priorities in her life, I will miss her greatly. Sheryl, thank you for all your hard work and dedication.”

Longtime Y member and friend Matthew Bivens has shared how much the Partnership Program and Sheryl have meant to him. After a spinal cord injury, Bivens had to rely on a wheelchair. He came to the Y and has worked with Sheryl and her staff for years to do things his doctors never imagined possible, including exercising regularly, playing sports, even standing. “Had it not been for Sheryl and the Partnership Program…I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today,” he says.

Like so many of us in our Y community, I am beyond grateful to Sheryl for the tremendous impact she has had on all of us, as a mentor, a teacher, a trainer, and a friend. Sheryl will be retiring as of Monday, December 5, and we wish her nothing but the best of luck in her next chapter of life as she enjoys her much-deserved time with her family and three grandkids.

Learn more about our Partnership Program and Adaptive Programming

See how you can get involved with the South Shore YMCA Partnership Program as a participant, volunteer, intern or supporter.

Partnership Program