Community Corner
YMCA President: Organization Offers Many Programs to Special Needs Children
In response to a letter by Middletown's Ryan Woods Autism Foundation founder, Michele Rulnick says she's saddened by disparagement of YMCA youth programs.
This is written in response to a letter to the editor by Brenda Wilson, founder of the Ryan Woods Autism Foundation: Reader: Autistic Children Snubbed by Gov. Malloy's After-School Grants.
To the Editor:
I read with great dismay this article written by Brenda Woods. The YMCA has been a strong partner to the Ryan Woods Autism Foundation for many years.
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It was the YMCA who provided free consultation to Brenda Woods to support her effort to obtain a license with the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. Our recent professional development opportunity is another example of our willingness to partner to better serve children on the spectrum.
The YMCA provides a wide variety of services to children with autism. We offer swim lessons, after school child care and summer camp to many children with special needs. Our staff receives ongoing training to assure that they have the knowledge and skills to best serve all children in our care.
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The recent training provided by the Ryan Woods Autism Foundation is an example of our dedication to providing high quality care for all children. Parents enroll children in our programs and pay for the services.
YMCA staff work very hard applying for grants and raising funds to assure that low-income families can pay for service based on a sliding fee scale.
I am disappointed that Brenda Woods found it necessary to disparage a partner organization.
The Middlesex YMCA was one of over 70 programs in the state of Connecticut to submit a request for proposal for the After School Grant and one of 26 to receive the two-year state grant. We are proud of that accomplishment and for the valuable youth development work we do year round in our community.
Michele Rulnick, President/CEO of the Middlesex YMCA, Middletown
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