Community Initiatives reflect our commitment to social responsibility and the safety of every individual we serve. Through ongoing training, strong policies, and partnerships, Old Colony YMCA works every day to create safe environments for children and families while raising awareness around the importance of protecting youth in our communities.  

 

REPORT A CONCERN

The safety of every child in our programs is our highest priority. If you suspect or witness child sexual abuse, we encourage you to report it right away. Reports can be submitted anonymously through our reporting form or by calling us directly.  

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OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUTH AND CHILD SAFETY 

Founded in 1887, the Old Colony YMCA is a nonprofit charitable organization serving more than 140,000 people annually across Southeastern Massachusetts. With seven branches located in Brockton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Middleboro, Plymouth, Stoughton, and Taunton, more than half of those we serve are under the age of 18.

Each day, we provide childcare at all seven branch locations and offer before and after school programs at 31 sites, both onsite and within local schools. Our KidZone program operates across all seven branches, offering up to two hours of supervised care daily. During the summer months, we operate four camp programs that provide safe, enriching experiences for youth and peace of mind for families.

The trust families place in the Old Colony YMCA is something we value deeply. A safe environment for children combined with quality programming is an important part of our focus on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Guided by our core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of child protection while fostering a culture where young people feel valued, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential. 

 

CREATING A CHILD SAFE ENVIRONMENT 

We take the following steps to keep children in our programs safe:

  • Detailed employment application forms.

  • Comprehensive reference checks that include standardized questions that assess risk for abuse.

  • Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check & Sexual Offender Registry Information (SORI) check.

  • Statement of compliance with the Old Colony YMCA Youth Care Policy and Abuse Prevention Policies. Please read our Youth Care Policy. If someone is non-compliant, let us know immediately.

  • All staff complete on-going, extensive Child Abuse Prevention Training Programs.

  • Supervisors complete regular trainings to further promote a child-safe environment.

  • Staff and volunteers are mandated to report any suspected child abuse.

  • Our association follows and enforces 10 Child Safety Absolutes. Following them is critical in our role as child protectors.

  • Staff are prohibited from working 1-on-1 with or contacting youth outside of the Y (including babysitting and social networking).

  • Policies exist to ensure staff & volunteers are not alone with a child. All interaction between a staff and child must be observable and interruptible.

Employees who are trained in abuse prevention are more likely to understand their role as protector, to recognize the signs that abuse is occurring, and to report suspicious or inappropriate behaviors. Trained staff members are also less likely to place themselves in situations where they could be falsely accused. 

 

INFORMATION ABOUT ABUSE 

We want all children to be safe. Unfortunately, child abuse does exist, taking on many forms.

  • Emotional: Threatening a child or using words that can hurt a child’s feelings and self-esteem, withholding love and support from a child.

  • Physical: Causing injuries to a child on purpose, such as bruises, burns, scars, broken bones, etc.

  • Sexual: Having sexual contact in any form with a child, including exposing, fondling, intercourse, pornography, or internet solicitation.

  • Neglect: Not providing children with enough food, clothing, shelter, medical care, hygiene, supervision, etc. 

 

9 WARNING SIGNS OF CHILD ABUSE: 

  1. Unkempt or malnourished appearance

  2. Unexplained bruises, welts, or burns

  1. Disturbed sleeping or eating patterns

  1. Abrupt changes in behavior, anxiety, clinging, aggressiveness, or withdrawal

  1. Sexually transmitted diseases and infections

  1. Discomfort with physical contact

  1. Fear of a certain person or place

  1. Fearfulness or depression

  1. Abuse of other children 

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT ABUSE 

  • REGISTER for child abuse prevention training to learn more about protecting children
  • TALK regularly to your child about his or her experiences in YMCA programs, school, sports, and other activities.
  • DROP IN on your child’s programs.
  • TRUST your instincts. Don’t wait to tell us if something seems ‘strange.’ Speak up.
  • Learn to recognize and WATCH for warning signs of abuse. 
  • LISTEN & WATCH for signs of your child receiving special attention that other children or teens are not receiving.
  • Periodically ASK your child these questions:
    • Is anyone scaring or threatening you?
    • Is anyone asking you to keep secrets?
    • Has anyone said anything to make you feel bad?
    • Is anyone touching you in a way you do not like?
  • EDUCATE your child about self-protection, including information about strangers and good and bad touches.
  • LEARN to control the stress level of yourself and family members.
  • COMMUNICATE with your child and really listen to their concerns.
  • RECOGNIZE the fact that most abuse happens by people that children know and trust.
  • BECOME AWARE of your community resources.
  • KNOW where your children are and who their friends are.
  • TEACH your children it’s not okay to keep secrets from you; that they can always tell you the truth. 

 

CHILD SAFE RESOURCES 

For reporting suspected child abuse or neglect in Massachusetts, call the Department of Children and Families (DCF) or the local Children’s Advocacy Centers.

 

Department of Children and Families (DCF):

  • DCF Southeast Regional Office – Brockton: 508-894-3700

  • DCF Taunton Area Office: 508-821-7000

  • DCF Plymouth Area Office: 508-732-6200

After 5:00 p.m. and on weekends/holidays dial the Child-at-Risk Hotline at 1-800-792-5200. 

 

Children’s Advocacy Centers: 

Children’s Advocacy Centers provide coordinated services for child victims, including trauma-informed care, victim advocacy, and support for families.

  • Plymouth County Children’s Advocacy Center – Brockton: 508-580-3383 
    Website: cac.plymouthda.com 

  • Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County – Fall River: 508-674-6111 

To find additional Children’s Advocacy Centers serving Massachusetts, including the Southeast region and Cape & Islands, visit: machildrensalliance.org/locate-a-cac 

 

OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES 

  • Parental Stressline: A 24-hour hotline for support & guidance in Massachusetts. 1-800-632-8188

  • Childhelp’s National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453

  • New Hope: A 24-hour domestic violence and sexual assault hotline. 1-800-323-4673

  • LINK-KID Trauma Referral System (Ages 0–18): Connects children with trauma-informed therapy services across Massachusetts. 1-855-546-5543

  • Massachusetts Children’s Alliance (MACA): Statewide coalition supporting Children’s Advocacy Centers and child abuse prevention efforts. Website: https://machildrensalliance.org

  • MassKids – Enough Abuse Campaign: Provides prevention training, community education, and advocacy. Website: https://masskids.org

REPORT A CONCERN

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CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH 

A Letter from our President & CEO:

 

Old Colony YMCA Community,

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to focus on keeping kids safe, informed, and supported. At the Old Colony YMCA, protecting young people isn’t just a seasonal effort. It is part of everything we do every day.

This month, and throughout the year, we participate in Five Days of Action®, an initiative that gives us a platform to share resources, provide education, and strengthen our community’s ability to prevent and respond to abuse. YMCAs across Massachusetts join in this work, offering tools and guidance to help adults recognize risks and take action.

Our staff and volunteers are trained to create environments where young people feel safe, respected, and empowered to grow. Beyond our walls, we collaborate with schools, and community partners throughout Southeastern Massachusetts to promote best practices and awareness around child protection.

I encourage everyone, parents, guardians, mentors, and neighbors, to stay engaged. Talk with the young people in your life, familiarize yourself with prevention strategies, and speak up if you ever have concerns. Every conversation, every action strengthens the safety net for our children.

Thank you for helping make the Old Colony YMCA a place where every young person can thrive with confidence, safety, and support. 

 

Charles R. Clifford 
President & CEO, Old Colony YMC

501(c)(3) charitable cause. Tax ID: 04-2125014

Copyright © YMCA of Old Colony 2022

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