May 27, 2022

Dear Parents:

Like so many of us, I am heartbroken by the recent shootings in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, TX.  Sadly, these are not the only senseless acts of violence that have happened recently, and they have become all too common in our society today.

I am neither an educator nor a parent.  YWCA of Newburyport is fortunate to have an extremely talented group of educators on our staff.  Nicole Brennan and Amanda Bradbury have years of experience working with children and parents.  They lead an incredible group of women and men, many of whom are parents themselves – so they understand firsthand the anxiety that news like this can cause for children and their families. They understand the developmental needs of the children in their care and have developed exceptional programs in which children and learn and grow.

YWCA places the care and concern for the children in our care and our employees first on our list of priorities. We are working with our employees to review safety procedures and ensure that the childcare environment is as safe as it can be.  We are also providing them with some resources to help them in the event children talk to them about these tragedies.

Here are several resources for you as you talk with your children and answer their questions:

Helping Students After a School Shooting: The American School Counselor Association

Talking with Children About Tragedies & Other News Events:  American Academy of Pediatrics

Helping Children Cope with Frightening News:  Child Mind Institute

We cannot ignore the environment in which we are raising and educating our children – but we can strive to change it. We believe that our mission:  Eliminating Racism, Empowering Women and promoting Peace, Justice, Freedom and Dignity for All is the solution to the violence around us.  We will work tirelessly on toward creating a peaceful and safe environment in which our children can grow, learn and hopefully love.

John Feehan
Executive Director
YWCA Greater Newburyport