YMCA promotes unity with Welcoming Week
Events are planned through next Sunday to show off the facility and unite the local community.
The Mon Valley YMCA is one big, happy family — and they want everyone to be part of it.
Starting today, the YMCA, located in Carroll Township, will hold a week of activities, events and celebrations in hopes of bringing the community together.
Celebrated each year in September, Welcoming Week elevates the growing movement of communities that fully embrace new Americans and their contributions to the social fabric of our country. It’s a chance for neighbors — both immigrants and U.S.-born residents — to get to know each another and celebrate what unites us as a community.
It’s the first time the Mon Valley YMCA has participated in the national event, an initiative of Y-USA’s national partner, Welcoming America.
Membership Director Alison Ducoli believes it’s the right time to get involved.
“It is all about bringing everyone in the community together regardless of gender, race, ethnic background or age,” she said. “It’s the first year we are participating, but with the changes going on in our community, we wanted to show that the YMCA is and always will be a place for everybody.”
Things will kick off today with no guest fees at the facility.
“Today, (Friday), anyone can come without a fee,” she said. “So it’s a great opportunity to just come and check us out with a friend, or not, and see what we have to offer because it’s really something for everyone.”
A world map in the lobby will encourage participants to place a dot to show where they are from.
On Saturday, classes will be free to anyone interested. There will be a spin class at 7:30 a.m., followed by a total body training class at 8:30 a.m. that anyone can attend free of charge, member or not.
The pool will open Sunday to anyone looking to take a dip before it’s too chilly. On Monday, there will be a celebration of immigrant-owned businesses.
Ducoli visited businesses throughout the area and was impressed by what she saw.
“I visited myself over the past few weeks and it’s something,” she said.
Pho Valley, located down the road in Carroll Township, has donated gift cards to give away.
Unique China restaurant in Charleroi has provided a basket of fortune cookies for the event. With help from Lulu Cisse of Fourth Street BBQ, Ducoli is putting together a list of businesses for residents and members.
“We think it will be nice for people to know and I think it’s important to share that so people can stop by to visit,” Ducoli said. “We’re going to put something together so it is available at the front desk.”
On Tuesday, the YMCA family will celebrate citizenship.
“Being a U.S. citizen is wonderful to begin with, and we have several members who have been here before and after,” Ducoli said. “We will have someone here, one of our members to speak to why it was important to them and why they love it so much.”
On Wednesday, members will be invited to participate in the YMCA board’s monthly meeting to get an idea of what happens to make the organization run so smoothly and what is new and upcoming.
For Thursday, Ducoli has cleared her schedule to offer tours of all of the facilities and programs.
Interpreters will be available that day in hopes of recruiting new members of the immigrant community.
Next Friday might be the best day of the week, Ducoli said.
“It’s all about food,” she said. “We have lunches and different things, but this pot luck is about sharing our cultures and our recipes and I am really excited about it.”
Sign-up sheets at the YMCA welcome people to bring their favorite dish, but more than that, to be willing to share recipes of their own with other members of the community to recreate.
Next Saturday, the YMCA will host its annual family fun night, which is always a hit.
“We do this every year, usually to kick off the school year,” she said. “Families come, we do crafts, people go swimming, we have snacks. It’s always a really good time.”
Sunday will be about seeing how much the YMCA’s family tree might grow as membership fees are waived.
“If people have liked what they have seen, Sunday I will be here all day long to help get people registered and I hope we are busy,” Ducoli said. “We have different people coming from different parts of the country, around the world. Some are from just down the road. We have 7,000 members and 5,000 memberships.
“But for me, I grew up in Belle Vernon and never knew about the YMCA until I met my husband. I started here part-time and just fell in love with it and know I am never leaving. I call this place home. I call this place a family because to become part of the YMCA is to extend your family. We have seniors who come to meet here for coffee and go to lunch together, we have mothers who come in the evenings to take a class together, we have something different for everyone, but the thing is we all agree and all welcome anyone who wants to be a part of this” Financial aid is available for people who are not able to cover full membership costs. Applications must be filled out with proof of income to qualify.
For more information, call 724-4838077, email info@monvalleyymca.org or go to monvalleyymca.org.
