New Canaan YMCA

Please join us in honoring and congratulating our August Cause-Driven Leader, Anna Kennedy! Anna began working for the New Canaan YMCA in the summer of 2018 as a counselor at Camp Mini. Noticing how well she worked with our youngest campers, she was asked to help out in the Rainbow Station classrooms after camp ended.   In May of 2023, Anna transitioned to a full-time role as an Assistant Teacher in Rainbow Station, where she has made a huge difference in the early toddler 1’s classroom. Anna’s co-teachers shared, “Anna is kind, respectful, and calm in the face of toddler tantrums!”   Cathy McClure, Childcare Director shared, “Anna is hard working and dependable. She is always willing to step up and help when needed. She is an amazing co-worker to all staff.”   An extra bonus is Anna’s creativity! She designs and decorates her classroom bulletin board so well that she was recruited (and happily accepted) to do the main board outside the entrance to Rainbow station as well as other camp and childcare rooms’ boards!   Thank you, Anna, for your optimism, your welcoming good nature, and for your beautiful smile! Do you know a Y employee who you feel should be honored? Submit a nomination form online at https://lnkd.in/eq7UZCbC. #causedrivenleader #becausey #newcanaanymca

Please join us in honoring and congratulating our July Cause-Driven Leader, Snjezana (SJ) Trgic! SJ has been working at the New Canaan YMCA since March of 2023, as both a personal trainer and a group exercise instructor. Her energy and enthusiasm were apparent from the get-go, and she quickly made herself a well-established presence in our facility.   SJ’s classes are very well attended, and she is in high demand for personal training because of her broad knowledge and upbeat personality. Whether she is working with teenagers or active older adults, she is able to connect and engage in ways that are noticeable to all around her. She is respectful, caring and welcoming to her clients and to fellow staff. Whenever she says hello to anyone, it is always accompanied by a huge smile on her face, which brightens up the room.   SJ is well loved and respected by members and co-workers alike – we are lucky to have her as a member of our wellness team!   Do you know a Y employee who you feel should be honored? Submit a nomination form online at https://lnkd.in/eq7UZCbC.   #causedrivenleader #becausey #newcanaanymca

The New Canaan YMCA is looking for a skilled and knowledgable Facility and Grounds Assistant to join our team. This is a full time (benefit eligible) position, with hours primarily from 11am to 6pm (with flexibility to alter hours as needed) Please click the link below for full job posting and on-line application #hiring #ymca #facility #maintenance

Please join us in honoring and congratulating our June Cause Driven Leader, Kristen Godin! Kristen Godin started with our Y just shy of a year ago and has already made an incredible impact. She has stepped in to help out with middle school programs when extra hands were needed, worked diligently to hire and train staff to open Kids Club (our on-site babysitting program), assists in all areas of childcare, and has expanded Camp Mini to accommodate more campers this year. A nominating co-worker shared, “Kristen is just an extremely bright spot in our staff. I’ve felt impressed and fortunate to work much closer with her recently and her focus, patience, and work ethic is exemplary. She balances this with a down to earth mindset and willingness to see the humor even when tasks are stacked high. She’s a great communicator and is always looping others into what is happening around her and them.” In her role as Assistant Preschool and Family Program Director, Kristen is not only a dedicated Y employee, but she is thoughtful and a great teammate. Her positive spirit and can-do attitude are admirable and we are lucky to have her on our team at the New Canaan YMCA. Do you know a Y employee who you feel should be honored? Submit a nomination form online at https://lnkd.in/eq7UZCbC. #causedrivenleader #becausey #newcanaanymca

Please join us in honoring and congratulating our May 2024 Cause-Driven Leader, Darren Lyons! Darren joined the New Canaan YMCA in 2013 as part of the Member Relations team. Clearly, the Y mission and vision runs through Darren’s blood, having worked at the Norwalk YMCA for over 15 years prior making the switch to New Canaan! Julie Ballard, Member Relations Supervisor, tells us, “Darren is always willing to take additional early morning shifts when the Front Desk is short staffed. The members love being greeted by name with his sunny personality. I can always count on Darren for a smile and a lot of laughter!! Darren is an amazing coworker!” In addition to his time at the Front Desk, many also recognize Darren from his work in Dante’s Café —where he assists EB222 in serving fresh healthy meals or snacks with a focus on excellent customer service. Another coworker shared, “Darren serves everyone with a smile every day and is just the perfect social hinge of the staff and members alike. He has insights into all our daily routines and that promotes a friendly "Cheers"-like atmosphere in the cafe.” Darren’s can-do attitude and friendly disposition exemplify the values of the New Canaan YMCA and we are proud to call him a Cause Driven Leader. Do you know a Y employee who you feel should be honored? Submit a nomination form online at https://lnkd.in/eq7UZCbC.

Please join us in honoring and congratulating our April 2024 Cause-Driven Leader, Deb Cardamone! Deb has been working with the New Canaan YMCA for 22 years—as a group exercise instructor, personal trainer, and a key staff member of our Livestrong at the YMCA Cancer Survivor program.   Whether training a client or teaching a class, it is clear how much Deb cares about the people that she is working with. Many of Deb’s clients and class participants are older adults, some of whom express feeling intimidated to start working with a trainer or taking a new exercise class. Deb is compassionate and caring and helps make new participants feel safe and welcome. Due to the nurturing environment Deb creates in her classes, many participants have connected and formed friendships that extend beyond their time at the Y.   It is these qualities and more that make Deb a wonderful employee who is well liked and respected by members and staff alike, and which make her a perfect example of a Cause Driven Leader. Do you know a Y employee who you feel should be honored? Submit a nomination form online at https://lnkd.in/eq7UZCbC. #causedrivenleader #becausey #newcanaanymca