YMCA Offering Free Sexual Abuse Prevention Training

North Suburban YMCA has partnered with Darkness to Light to bring a free sexual abuse training prevention program, Stewards of Children.

The local YMCA is teaming up with sexual abuse prevention experts to train local groups and parents to help protect children. According to Katie Stinchon of the YMCA of Greater Boston the statistics on sexual abuse are alarming. She said 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before their 18th birthday. In response, the North Suburban YMCA has partnered with Darkness to Light to bring a free sexual abuse training prevention program, Stewards of Children, to Woburn, Winchester, Burlington, Arlington, and Lexington residents, according to a release. "Stewards of Children is the only training workshop available nationally that is proven to increase knowledge and change child protection behavior in adults," a release on the program …

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Last Chance: No YMCA Joining Fee, Free Teens

Your last chance is this week!

  Welcome to Last Chance, a feature that previews upcoming deadlines that you may want to know about. We’ll feature the latest deadlines to take a class, join a bus trip to Foxwoods or register to vote. Here are two great programs that Woburn residents will want to know this week.   Your last chance to join the North Suburban YMCA with no "joining fee" is June 23. The Y is signing up new members all this week during it's Open House and waiving the $25-50 fee.  Also, group exercise classes are open to the community during Open House week (June 17-23). In addition to the no fee program, the YMCA is also offering free memberships for teens between the ages of 13 and 17. Those memberships are valid after June 23.

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The Y Celebrates Healthy Kids Day

Free family event is this Saturday, April 28.

  YMCA organizations across the country are hoping to spread the word about "healthy kids" with a special event Saturday. The North Suburban YMCA, and almost 2,000 Ys in the U.S., will hold "Healthy Kids Day" on Saturday, April 28 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This free initiative is open to kids and families. “At the North Suburban YMCA, we know that when the school year ends, many kids lose exposure to activities that keep them moving and learning," said Jeremy Stiles, Health and Wellness Director at the Woburn Y. Stiles said he is hoping that Healthy Kids Day will help parents start to think about how to keep their children "physically and intellectually active in the summer." “Summer is just around the corner and is an ideal time for kids to …

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Attention Woburn: Survey for Adult Ed Classes

What classes are needed in the city?

The North Suburban YMCA is hoping to add more adult education classes, but it needs your help to see what the city is looking for. Answer these survey questions today, to help give them more information on what classes are needed in the city.

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WorldFest Woburn Celebrates Diversity

With dance, music, food, handcrafts and art from different cultures.

First came dancers in jewel-colored costumes performing classical dances of India. Then Irish step dancers in black, red and white. Around them, on Main Street at the Common, fabrics, jewelry, rugs, handwork, and food from a cornucopia of countries, including Brazil, Japan, Korea, Peru and Thailand framed the performance area. Woburn’s WorldFest drew performers, vendors and visitors Sunday afternoon in spite of heavy gray skies. It’s always good when you can see and learn about other cultures, other languages, commented visitor Maria Nascimento, who was born in Brazil and has lived here for 20 years. Similarly, Ivette Manrique said she came from Tewksbury because “I like exposure to international experiences.”  She goes, she said, to the …

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Patch People

Arabic to Thai: Elaine Dougherty Leads Language Program for Non-English Speakers

She received an award this week for her bridge-building in the city of Woburn.

Voices in a classroom, some thickly accented, were reciting the alphabet in English. When they reached “V,” the teacher had the students pronounce and compare  “V” and “B.” Down the hall from the classroom, Elaine Dougherty came in to her office after talking with a student from Brazil. Dougherty oversees a program that helps immigrants learn to speak English. Students can also take conversation, computer and leadership classes and, some sessions, learn about citizenship. On Wednesday, Dougherty, site director of the international learning center of the North Suburban YMCA, received an award from SCI, Social Capital Inc., for what she described as building bridges in the community. Students in the program she directs—an average of about 50…

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Irene Simas

9:09 am on Monday, April 4, 2011

Congratulations Elaine! You're an awesome Lady!   more ›

Grab & Go Kids Planner

Spring Sports and Pancakes Galore

Family-friendly events happening in and around Woburn this week.

From hometown sports to pancake breakfasts to local performances, we’ve got you covered for family-friendly fun all week long. FAMILY BEST BETS OF THE WEEK • Girls Varsity Lacrosse Where/When: Woburn Memorial High School, Friday 4 p.m. Why Go: Cheer on the Woo and enjoy spring weather. Pricing: Free, open to all. • Emerging Artists Concert Series Where/When: Real School of Music, Burlington; Friday 7-9 p.m. Why Go: Jam out with the kids and support two local bands. Pricing: $5 general admission / $3 member For more information, see the Real School of Music’s website. • Family Workout Times Where/When: North Suburban YMCA, Friday 6-10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 2-7 p.m. Why Go: Blow off some steam from the week, work up a sweat as a family …

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