Madison YMCA CEO Works to Prevent Child Abuse in NJ

Training for adults about preventing child sexual abuse is available in the borough as part of a program developed by a state task force chaired by the CEO of the Madison Area YMCA.

CEO Diane Mann heads the task force that developed the program to make "Stewards of Children" child sexual abuse prevention training available to the public.

The New Jersey YMCA State Alliance, including the Madison Area YMCA, joined forces with Darkness to Light, a child advocacy organization that developed the award-winning "Stewards of Children" child sexual abuse prevention curriculum, on the educational initiative.

In-person, facilitator led trainings are open to the public and could be of interest to youth sports organizations, school districts, faith centers and non-profits, according to an announcement about the program. Local businesses, large or small, are encouraged to participate.

Free online training (https://d2l.csod.com) is available for New Jersey residents through April 23. Participants can obtain continuing education credits.

“As Social Responsibility is one of the Y’s key areas of focus, we are committed to developing community-based solutions that unite people to participate in and work for positive social change,” Mann said. “By partnering with Darkness to Light, we will educate and empower adults to become agents of change to protect children from sexual abuse.”

For more information contact the following facilitators at the Madison Area YMCA: Diane Mann, President and CEO at 973-822-9622 ext. 2249 or dmann@madisonymca.org; Kathy Martini, Associate Director of Human Resources at 973-822-9622 ext. 2570 or kmartini@madisonymca.org; or Harriet McCarter, Executive Director of the Madison Area YMCA F.M. Kirby Children’s Center at 973-973-377-4945 or hmccarter@madisonymca.org.