AllOne Charities Grant Supports new Mental, Emotional, Social Health Staff at the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA
With the support of $10,000 in AllOne Charities funding, the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA hired a new full-time MESH (mental, emotional, social health) staff member.
The need for MESH programming was clear before COVID closures, and has gotten even more evident since then. Luis Avila, the new staff member, has a BA in psychology from Kings College, and over 5 years of experience working with elementary school students in the Y’s Afterschool programs. In his new role, he helps interface with TSS workers, parents and school guidance counselors, and especially is there to listen to children. He can help talk to kids who need one-on-one attention. Luis says, “I’ve seen firsthand how these conversations help kids realize that strong emotions are something we all struggle with. When they are able to sit down and talk about their emotions, they are less likely to feel overwhelmed or “weird”, and they have more ability to understand their feelings and to ask for help.“
Pictured Left to Right: Michele Schasberger, Healthier Communities Coordinator, Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA; John Cosgrove, Jim Thomas, President and CEO, Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA and John Graham, Chair, AllOne Foundation.
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