Strong Social Media Aids our Strong Kids, Family and Community

I am very excited to witness our new Twitter followers that we have gained just within 3 days time. Social media is so convenient that it has been hard to imagine the world without it.

I created my first website when I was 12 and then continued to be competitive with a best friend of mine when I was 13; creating html and dealing with coding on a daily, hourly basis, solely for fun. We would see who could make the better frames with more links and things to do on their page. I still remember the sites that would have the click counters to borrow and we would see who had the more popular ideas.

A few years later unfortunately, I fell out of it. To this day I still wish that I had stuck with it. I do not see myself as being out of the look, but the web has become so much more useful in the past 10 years.

My first blog was created when I was 14, but it was just mindless babble and I stressed my need to be heard on sites like Teen Open Diary (which is no longer even runnning). Now I take pride in my newer blog: http://writingandwritten.blogspot.com/ , even though I do not update it as much as I should.

Anyway, The Pittsfield YMCA is proud to be up-keeping our social media through the use of facebook, twitter, and various online postings of events and our business directly. I have also personally become a huge fan of http://www.berkshirenonprofits.com since they are providing free publicity for all of our organizations in the county. Any company that is aiding non-profits deserves a thumbs-up in my book...I should also include idealist when I mention this too.

Have a good weekend all, keep posting, I will return on Monday.

Positive Cultural Change

There is a true need to bring more life, diversity, and fun to the Pittsfield Family YMCA. This is an organization that takes pride in treasuring our youth and unique members. We are looking into adding new programs, dance classes, computers and more. Please let me know what you believe is needed!

Increasing Family Time

The Pittsfield Family YMCA is looking into expanding the family aspect of the organization. We want to make sure that people are able to use their memberships to their full capacities. The YMCA is looking into bringing back "Family Fun Nights" as well as more slots for the youth that have memberships in order to increase friendships and bonds. Any and all suggestions are welcome. Feel free to contact Susan at sjacobs@nycap.rr.com.

Thanksgiving and Thank yous

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! We will be closed tomorrow so that everyone can enjoy their local (or perhaps not so local) family and friends. Have a safe long weekend.

Is anyone indulging in food other than turkey? Perhaps a vegan based meal?

Reminder: Only about a month left for our end of the year promotion where a new member can sign up and still waive their joiner's fee.

Enforcing Strong Kids, Strong Families, and Strong Communities in 2 States

The Pittsfield YMCA is happy to be able to offer members the chance to see all of the YMCA's across Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

The reciprocal program offers all current paid members of our Y to enjoy any other YMCA's within 2 states for no extra charge. So if you are traveling to the neighboring state to see a friend, to attend an event, or anything else, you will still be able to enjoy your experience with the same friendly organization.

8.5 Million Children in the United States Are Enrolled in a Form of Childcare

Today we are getting the word out about the Afterschool Fund. From December 4 until December 13, 2009 JcPenney at the Berkshire Mall will be helping to donate to the Pittsfield Family YMCA's After School Care Program. This program is fundraising made simple, in other words, when one checks at out at JcPenney cash register they will be given the opportunity to "round-up" their change to the next dollar. The left over change will then go on to benefit the YMCA's growing program.

For more informaton, one can visit JcPenney's website at http://www.jcpenneyafterschool.org/.

We want to make sure that people from Pittsfield are aware of the the numerous childcare programs that the YMCA has to offer and that it is knowledgeable of the fact that financial aid is available to any and all participants who would like the options. Our childcare spans from the age of 1 month to 10 years of age. Call 413-499-7650 for more information.