What's New at the Y

Coffee for a Cause

Support Facing the Future Child Development Center$10 Per Bag, available to purchase at the Front Desk starting Friday, November 18 while supplies last!

Purchase a half pound bag of newly roasted Kenya coffee as a gift or just for yourself. These make great gifts for hosts/hostesses, teachers, co-workers or as grab bags and stocking stuffers!

All proceeds will benefit our friends at Facing the Future (FAFU), in the Kibera slum of Nairobi, Kenya. Enjoy a cup of coffee while also supporting vulnerable children across the globe.

For more information about our partnership with FAFU, click here. To make a donation to FAFU through our Annual Support Campaign, please contact Diana Riolo at 203-920-1653 or by email.

More at the Y

Strengthening our Community

Winter Programs & Activities 2022-2023

Registration is currently available online and at the Front Desk.

Classes begin: Monday, November 28

New Programs this Winter:

-  Leaders Club (Grades 5-12)

-  Youth & Government (Grades 9-12)

-  American Red Cross Wilderness First Aid (Ages 15+)

-  First Aid Course for Parents & Caregivers (Ages 16+)

-  Introduction to Pickleball (Ages 18+)

Support the Aquianas!

Aquianas Artistic Swimming Silent Auction

Now-Sunday, November 20

Begins today! Get ready for holiday shopping with tons of items, including an Aston Martin for the weekend, artistic swimming art, wine, coffee and more!

All bidding takes place online and closes at 12:00 PM on Sunday, November 20.

For additional information about the Aquianas silent auction, contact Jen Muzyk by email.

All proceeds benefit the New Canaan YMCA Aquianas Artistic Swimming Team

Holiday Gift Wrap Drive

Support our Community's Families Ahead of the Holidays

Now-Wednesday, November 30

Please consider donating NEW gift wrap materials to benefit families in need through New Canaan Human Services. Budgets are already tight for these families and extra expenses during the holidays just add to their struggles.

Let's help New Canaan families enjoy the holiday season!

Suggested Items to Donate:

-  Wrapping paper

-  Gift bag

-  Ribbon

-  Bows

-  Gift Tags

-   Tape

Donation box located in the Y's lobby. All donations are greatly appreciated!

For additional information and any questions, contact Diana Riolo at 203-920-1653 or by email.

Y Winter Wonderland & Snowman Festival

Free Community Event

Sunday, December 4 • 4:00-6:00 PM

Our Y Winter Wonderland and Snowman Festival event returns! Join us for holiday fun featuring a variety of kids and family activities, including a snowman festival and live music from Jordeli Entertainment! FREE & open to the community.

Snowman Festival Details: The Y is providing free snowman wreaths for families and local organizations to decorate and return for display at our Y Winter Wonderland event.

Snowman Pick-Up: Now through Wednesday, November 21 from 3:00-5:00 PM. Snowman wreaths are located in the Y's lobby where pick up instructions will be posted.

Snowman Drop-Off Deadline: Please return your decorated snowman to the Y's Front Desk by Thursday, December 1.

Wreaths are available on a first come, first served basis. One snowman per family or organization.

For additional information and any questions, contact Matt Busse at 203-920-1643 or by email.

Achieving Greatness Together

Youth Basketball League 2022-2023

For Boys, Grades K-12

For Girls, Grades K-8

K-8 Registration:

Online registration for the 2022-2023 Y-Ball season is closed for grades K-8. Limited spots are available for certain grade levels. To register, contact Lenwood Latta at 203-920-1634 or by email.

High School Registration:

Registration for the Y's 2022-2023 Youth Basketball League (Y-Ball) for players in high school is currently available online. High School registration ends Thursday, December 8.

Click here for league information, the 2022-2023 registration packet including required forms, and the volunteer coaches form.

Introducing the Y's Wellness

Nurse Coordinator

Melisa Pelikan, RN

Meet Melisa Pelikan! Melisa is our on-site, registered Wellness Nurse Coordinator from Stamford Health. She comes to our Y with 30 years of experience in treating people in both inpatient and outpatient settings, community outreach and education, clinical research, and patient advocacy. She spent much of her time working with people in neuroscience and related specialties while also spending time in urology and infectious disease practices.

Given her career-long interest in neuroscience and the chronic nature of many of the disease processes, she developed an interest in sustainable health and wellness habits for co-existing and thriving with alterations in health. Melisa supports practical, person-centered suggestions for success in seeking and maintaining health and she recognizes and values an informed approach.

Melisa offers varied office hours at the Y for members to stop by and chat, ask a question, or get a referral:

-  Tuesdays from 4:00-7:00 PM

-  Thursdays from 7:00-10:00 AM

Contact Melisa at 203-920-1642 or by email.

LET'S CHAT ABOUT THAT!

New Canaan YMCA members are also welcome to join Melisa for informal discussions surrounding medical and emotional wellness on Thursdays from 10:30-11:00 AM in Dante's Café.

NEW! Diabetes Prevention Program

Information Session Ahead of January 2023 Launch

We are excited to announce that we will be offering the YMCA’s National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) in January. The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is a lifestyle intervention program that can help you actively engage in moving towards your personal health and wellness goals. Participation in this program at the YMCA will connect you with a lifestyle coach and a greater community of like-minded health-seekers that will motivate you in your journey towards a healthier lifestyle.

If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes or believe you may be at risk for developing diabetes, the Y is here to help you! This small-group program can help you eat healthier, find new ways to engage in regular physical activity, and lose weight, which can delay or even prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Led by trained lifestyle coaches, the program strives to help participants achieve two primary goal:

-   Reduce body weight by 5-7%

-   Increase physical activity to 150 minutes per week

Information Session:

Monday, December 5 at 9:30 AM

We are hosting information sessions where you will have an opportunity to learn more about the program, meet the coaches, and ask questions.

If you would like to sign up an upcoming information session or are interested in enrolling in the DPP program, please contact Eva Saint, Wellness Director, at 203-920-1623 or by email.

Lost and Found

If you LOST it, we may have FOUND it!

If you are missing any items that you think you could have misplaced while at the Y, please take a look in our Lost & Found cabinet. The cabinet is located in the Wet Hallway (on the way to the pools) at the Y. Items found include various articles of clothing, water bottles, and goggles. Please note that unclaimed items are donated to charity at the end of the month.

'Y' Not Work at the Y!

Employment Opportunities: Join our Team!

Looking for that special job in a special place? ‘Y’ not work here at the New Canaan YMCA? We have job openings!

Rainbow Station Infant-Preschool Teacher (Full-Time)

If you love working with children, we want to hear more about YOU! The New Canaan YMCA's Rainbow Station Infant-Preschool program is looking for enthusiastic, energetic, and nurturing candidates to join our team.

Our classroom teachers work together to provide a program to foster children’s social, physical, emotional, and cognitive growth. Our childcare classes participate in YMCA programming departments, including professional swim instruction, Bouncing Bears gymnastic time, music classes and more, all within the regular weekly schedule.

Early Morning Lifeguards (Part-Time)

Calling all early birds! If you are a Rise-and-Shine morning person, the New Canaan YMCA may be the right fit for you! Flexible hours & a great part-time opportunity for students, retirees, or anyone wanting to stay actively employed while still having a large portion of their day free for other interests.