Noonan is the branch executive for the Northern York County location of the YMCA of Southern Maine in Biddeford and says that the YMCA is a place of diversity and inclusion available for everyone, regardless of ability to pay.
“My job as team leader here is to rally our staff at the Y to move in the same direction and fulfill our organization’s mission,” Noonan said. “We’re here to build strong kids, individuals, families and communities through programs and services that promote a healthy spirit, mind and body.”
Noonan leads a massive undertaking for a YMCA branch that’s open seven days a week and offers a wide array of health and fitness activities at the Biddeford facility and off-site with appeal to all age groups.
The YMCA in Biddeford is at 3 Pomerleau St. and was built in the 1980s. It features an Olympic-sized swimming pool; a teaching pool; strength training; free weights; a cardio and weight machine room; certified wellness staff members; a summer camp serving 200 students; school vacation camps; a full-day, off-site childcare center; after-school programs in conjunction with Biddeford schools; and free, on-site child care Mondays through Saturdays.
The popular facility hosts high school and youth swimming meets and in some way, shape or fashion touches a wide cross-section of adults, seniors and children in Biddeford and surrounding areas.
“The YMCA of Southern Maine has many programs and services that promote youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility at all branches,” Noonan said.
Programs and services unique to the Northern York County Branch include the full-day Child Care Center, the Camp Sokokis summer day camp, the competitive Manta Rays swim team for boys and girls, lots of hiking and walking trails and a series of high and low ropes courses.
Having been entrusted by so many to fulfill the community’s recreational and fitness needs is a responsibility not lost on YMCA leadership.
“The Y offers something very special – a sense of community built by people from all walks of life working and playing together, said Helen Breña, chief executive officer of the YMCA of Southern Maine. “Everyone is welcome here. We celebrate the many dimensions of diversity each person brings.”
Breña said that members regularly tell the YMCA staff that their lives are enriched by the diversity of the community they find at the Y, that they learn things about themselves and the world that they might not otherwise have discovered.”
She said the YMCA remains a key partner for the public in offering healthy activities at an affordable cost for anyone.
“The Y is committed to helping people thrive. We believe that true well-being is holistic and – that a sense of belonging and a feeling of safety are as critical to health as good nutrition and physical movement,” Breña said. “That’s why the relationships people build at the Y, and the community they find here, are so important. We work to ensure our facilities and programs are accessible to people of all ages and abilities.”
And, she said the YMCA offers financial assistance to ensure that everyone can participate, regardless of ability to pay.
She said local businesses in Maine also benefit from having a relationship with the YMCA.
“A healthy, engaged community is good for business. It makes for a stronger workforce and an invested population,” Breña said.
According to Breña, businesses partnering with the YMCA can accomplish this in three ways.
“They can promote their employees’ health by supporting them on their journey to whole health with the Y,” she said. “They can build long-term relationships by volunteering at the Y while strengthening our community.
“And, they can broaden opportunities for their community by financially supporting the Y and allowing us to serve more people,” Breña said. “Working together, we can accomplish so much more than when we act alone.”
For more information about becoming a YMCA member or for businesses wanting to partner with the Y, visit ymcaofsouthernmaine.org or call 283-0100.
— Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be contacted at (207) 282-1535 ext. 326 or by email at editor@journaltribune.com
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