YMCA’s Scheller Named to Child Protection Thought Leader Cohort

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Beth Scheller, chief operating officer of the YMCA of Youngstown, has been chosen to represent the YMCA Movement as a member of the Child Protection and Aquatics Safety Thought Leader Cohort.

Facilitated by Y-USA, but driven by local YMCAs, this cohort will expand and improve upon existing child protection and aquatics safety efforts.

“Educating parents on what to look for and how to talk to their children about this important social issue is at the core of the YMCA’s mission and social responsibility work,” Scheller says. “We not only want kids to be safe at the YMCA, but we want all kids to be safe in our community and in their homes.”

By leveraging partnerships with third-party experts, the group will research and assess current initiatives, identify gaps, and test innovative solutions and tools that advance the YMCA’s child abuse prevention and aquatic safety efforts across the movement.

“The safety and well-being of our youth has always been a top priority at the YMCA of Youngstown. We are proud that Beth is being recognized for this critical role in the YMCA movement,” says Tom Gacse, CEO of the YMCA of Youngstown.

Over the past 12 months, YMCAs have demonstrated the ability to adapt programs and services quickly to meet community needs in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Locally-created solutions have been shared and adopted throughout, Gacse says.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.