Inter-Generational

At The Gateway Family YMCA, programs are available for all, and that includes all ages.  YMCA Child Care is available for Infant through Preschool, Family Memberships include all ages, and Swimming Lessons begin at 6 months.  In the WISE Adult Social Day Services program, it’s not unusual to celebrate a 90, or even 100 year old milestone birthday party.  The YMCA Child Care program at the Youth Development Branch completed and inter-generational storytelling project with the Virtual WISE Adult Services program, bringing together the youngest and oldest members of the Y, at this time when social distancing and isolation are a major societal concern.

“No other organization offers the expansive breadth of programs and services that we provide at the Y,” stated Krystal R. Canady, CEO, The Gateway Family YMCA. “From emergency housing to water safety, from infant care to dementia care, from arts programs to chronic disease management, our Y has served the community for over 120 years.  We are truly here for all members of the local community.”

Utilizing the same photo story prompts, each group of program participants created their own collective story, which was recorded by the Director.  As part of the inter-generational project, both the YMCA Child Care participants and the Virtual WISE Center participants worked together to create both stories and pictures around the same story prompts, then presented their work to each other.  Each director was instrumental in sharing the stories and artwork with participants, both in person and virtual.  Eager to keep this project going, the child care participants even created artwork to illustrate the stories which were created by the WISE Center participants for additional sharing.  This also led to discussions on the various programs the Y offers, with participants, caregivers and guardians.

“Lisa Yanez, Senior Director of Child Development and Susan Butler, WISE Center Director worked together to deliberately create a shared curriculum to engage both our youngest and oldest members in this fun and educational inter-generational storytelling project,” stated Melynda A. Mileski, EVP/COO.  “At a time when our most vulnerable members, those participating in programs for Alzheimer’s or dementia care, were perhaps feeling isolated while at home, this project brought them together in a fun way, and introduced them to a completely new demographic of YMCA members.”

At the conclusion of the inter-generational storytelling project, the recorded stories were added to The Gateway Family YMCA’s website at www.tgfymca.org/news and the newly created artwork was distributed to WISE Center participants during meal delivery for those who may be food insecure, or activity supply delivery for Virtual WISE Center participants.

The Gateway Family YMCA is a leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to strengthening community by connecting all people to their potential, purpose and each other.  With a focus on empowering young people, improving health and well-being, and inspiring action in and across the local community, the Y brings together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and generations, to ensure that all have access to the opportunities, relationships and resources necessary to learn, grow and thrive.  The Y doesn’t just strengthen bodies – it strengthens people, families and communities.

For more information on the inter-generational project, visit www.tgfymca.org/news  For more information on The Gateway Family YMCA programs and services, visit www.tgfymca.org or call 908-355-9622.

Children at The Gateway Family YMCA – Youth Development Branch work on Inter-Generational Storytelling Project.

Pig in Boots

Preschool Room (3 ½ – 5 years) 3-5-2021

 This is a story about a little piggy. The little piggy has ears and a nose and eyes and boots. The little piggy has a head and a body and it’s in a puddle…and it has a tail. He splashed and he has ears. The piggy is going in the house. He is getting his jacket because he’s cold. He needs to go to mommy and daddy because he’s going to be cold. The piggy is small and his mommy and daddy are big. He’s getting his coat and his hat. He’s getting his xylophone but he doesn’t want to get hurt. He’s leaving, back outside. He had his boots outside. He went to the park with his jacket. He went to the forest to go eat vegetables. Vegetables are healthy and will help you grow up strong. The piggy was happy, enjoying the water and his vegetables and now he’s with his family.

The End!

The Curious Kitty

Preschool Room (3 ½ – 5 years) 3-4-2021

 This is a story about a kitty. The kitty is touching with hand and looking over there. He’s jumping. The cat is turning his head. There are eggs and water, but kitties can’t use spoons. The kitty can choke on the spoon. He’s in the kitchen and he’s gonna cook with the eggs. Then he’s going to eat it. The kitty just ate and then ran away and the bird flies. He got a pot and then made the food burn. Because he’s going to school and going to eat it. He goes back home. The kitty took a shower. He got his soap and went back home. He ate fruits and vegetables. He was playing with his hands. He was feeling the flour with his paws. The kitty cat was tired and had a busy day. He was going to rest and went to sleep.

The End!

What Do You See?

Preschool Room (3 ½ – 5 years) 3-2-2021

 I see a baby feeding another baby.

I see a dog and a baby drinking water together.

The baby is giving water to the tiger.

The baby and the baby tiger are on the rug and the baby is laughing and the baby tiger is drinking milk because he is hungry.

The baby is sitting and the tiger is also because he is drinking milk and I also see a lamp that has light.

The baby and the lion are playing together and the lion is drinking chocolate with milk.

The Boy Walking

Preschool Room (3 ½ – 5 years) 3-5-2021

 Once upon a time there was a boy. The boy was walking. He was walking home. He is in the forest and he’s going to get a soft bear. He is scared of the forest because there’s a lot of wolves in the forest. He’s going to eat breakfast. He’s walking to his grandma’s house. He is going to get cakes and a drum. He’s going to get a teddy bear. He’s going to the restaurant. The boy is still walking. He’s hungry. He’s walking in the sand and the trees are making him warm in the forest. He’s getting food over there. He was walking with an elephant, in his shirt and shorts and shoes. He was slowly walking down the path. They were enjoying all of the beautiful trees.

The end!