The South Shore YMCA is proud to announce that it is the recipient of a $3,465 grant from the office of Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey to underwrite the participation of two camp counselors at the Y’s Camp Quirk in Quincy. The two positions were specially created to promote the health of young campers through nutrition programming, healthy eating, physical activity, and more.
In total, AG Healey’s office is giving nearly $322,000 in grants to 100 organizations across the state this summer – including the SSYMCA – as part of its Healthy Summer Youth Jobs Grant program to fund jobs for young people that are focused on health and wellness.
“Our annual summer jobs program provides young people with an opportunity to challenge themselves, develop new skills and make a difference in their communities,” said Attorney General Maura Healey. “We are pleased to support the South Shore YMCA with this funding that will help keep young people safe and active this summer.”
The Y offers a variety of youth-centered programs, including summer day and resident camps, after-school activities and mentorship programs. At Y summer camps, kids from all socioeconomic backgrounds have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
“Through this grant, two positions were funded for the summer: an Aquatics Specialist, who is helping to teach kids swim lessons and water safety with a special focus on staying active in the pool, and a Sports Specialist who is helping to bring different and unique games to kids,” said Phil Gay, Director, Camp Quirk. “The Camp experience gives children a sense of belonging. It gives them a place where they are safe to try new things, to be themselves, and make new friends. The positions funded by this grant will help to contribute directly to that experience.”
In connection with this grant, AG Maura Healey visited Camp Quirk summer day campers on Thursday, July 25. While on site, she was able to meet with one of the teens hired through the funding. Mostafa (Moose) Al-Ibrahimy, Sports Specialist at Camp Quirk, stepped away from a lively game of Quidditch with his campers to speak about his experience in the Specialist position this far.
“I love the work and am grateful for Attorney General Healey’s support of the Y,” said Al-Ibrahimy. “Through this position, I’m learning that failure can be positive, it’s a learning step. Not every game that I plan will work out with the kids and it’s helping me to learn how to modify and adjust on the fly. I was a camper here when I was younger, and so I was very excited to hear about this position and get started in helping kids be active and stay healthy while school is out. There’s a lot of diversity around here – we offer so much for kids to take advantage of and there’s something for everybody. Through my position here at camp this summer, I’m glad that I’m able to help kids stay active and healthy.”
AG Healey’s Healthy Summer Youth Jobs Grant Program will fund employment for young people at the organizations from July 8, 2019 through Aug. 30, 2019. This grant is in addition to a separate $70,000 grant from the Attorney General’s office that the South Shore Y received last month for teacher instruction.
“This grant provides us with an exciting opportunity to expand our work with young children in the Quincy area through specialized activities within our day camp programming,” said Paul Gorman, President and CEO of the South Shore YMCA. “We’re looking forward to promoting healthy living and youth development in new and unique ways thanks to this grant, and are grateful for the ongoing, positive collaboration between the Attorney General and the South Shore YMCA.”
For more information about the South Shore YMCA’s Camp Quirk, please contact Phil Gay, Camp Director, at 617-479-8500 ext. 4712 or philg@ssymca.org.
###
About the South Shore YMCA
The South Shore YMCA is a not-for-profit association of individuals dedicated to improving the quality of life for all through programs that promote healthy spirit, mind, and body. Serving the communities of Quincy, Randolph, Holbrook, Weymouth, Braintree, Milton, Hingham, Hull, Cohasset, Scituate, Norwell, Hanover and beyond, the South Shore Y provides the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive through its services and programs. Financial Assistance is a Y community benefit available to all families in need, applicable to all Y programs and services. To learn more about the South Shore YMCA, visit www.ssymca.org. The South Shore YMCA. The Better You Belongs Here.
