May 28, 2025 Daniel Tiger Teams Up with YWCA for Pool Season Safety Tips The YWCA and the producers of the animated series “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” have provided safety tips in a new episode for parents and caregivers to keep preschoolers safe as pool season begins. Learn More A new episode of “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” was released this week that shows Daniel and his friend Juan Carlos having fun at a pool and pretending to be whales. Caregivers and children can watch the pool-themed episode and listen to a Daniel Tiger song about staying safe near water to start a conversation about pool safety. Safety Tips Lindsay Mondick, director of strategy and quality practices of aquatics at the YMCA of the USA, said the following safety tips should always be considered when young children are at the pool: Always Ask Permission: Parents must instill this simple rule during a day at the pool, beach, or lake. Children must always ask for permission before entering the water. Find a Water Watcher: Whenever children are in or around water, make sure an adult is identified as the “water watcher.” They are tasked with keeping an active eye on and supervising everyone without distractions – in other words, no phones, books, or conversations. Use the Buddy System: Never let children swim alone, regardless of how strong a swimmer they are. Before leaving for the pool or beach, designate swimming buddies for everyone in the group. Suit Up Accordingly: Swimsuits and sunscreen – but also Coast Guard-approved life jackets when necessary – should be worn by children at the pool. Do not rely on water toys, such as inflatable floats or pool noodles, as safety equipment. Ban Breath-Holding Contests: Although a common pool game, breath-holding contests under water can be dangerous and lead to complications or a possible emergency. Be sure to watch the Daniel Tiger episode, follow the YWCA’s safety rules around water, and have a great pool season.
March 5, 2025 YWCA Racial Justice Challenge to Kick Off on March 31 The YWCA’s 2025 Racial Justice Challenge digital initiative will offer nearly a month of activities aimed around raising awareness of social justice issues. It runs from March 31 to April 28. Learn More The YWCA’s free initiative is designed to help to build community and teach participants more about racial justice. Those who take part will be able to access such activities as reading articles or listening to podcasts. The challenge is the action component of the Until Justice Just Is campaign, which takes place in April and raises awareness of systemic racism and how to take action to advance justice. It was created in 2019 by the YWCA Greater Cleveland. Returning for its fifth year, the challenge is also designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, especially those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership. It also aims to foster personal reflection, encourage social responsibility, and motivate participants to identify and act on ways to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination. During the course of the challenge, new content will be released each weekday and participants who log onto the challenge’s app or visit the website will have access to activities. To learn more about how to participate in the 2025 YWCA Racial Justice challenge or to learn about sponsorships, visit the challenge’s website.
May 3, 2019 Pittsburgh Infant/Toddler Symposium Kaplan and YWCA Greater Pittsburgh PD/TA are partnering to provide a day of training and networking for area infant/toddler teachers. The day will consist of an opening keynote address, four hours of professional development training, resource tables. Lunch will be provided at no cost. This event is PQAS approved. CDA Content Areas The symposium will focus on the following CDA content areas: Principles of Child Growth and Development Social and Emotional Development Safe, Healthy Learning Environments Learning Objectives The students will be able to: Discuss and explain topics that are relevant to the care and growth/development of infants and toddlers. Participants will have the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of courses related to infant/toddler caregiving. Courses offered at the Symposium will focus on topics such as; activities to stimulate brain development, social/emotional development, trauma-informed practice, and health/safety. Registration Registrations must be submitted by May 24, 2019 via the Symposium’s event page. Questions For questions, contact Tom Yeager at 412.255.1173 or tyeager@ywcapgh.org. To learn more, see their event page.
November 28, 2018 Film Screening | We Wear the Mask: The Hidden Faces of Women in Poverty Join Just Films in their free screening of Pittsburgh filmmaker Tammy Thompson’s “We Wear the Mask.” After the screening, Thompson and the women featured in the documentary will participate in a panel discussion and Q&A session. This event is free and open to the public. Register here. For any questions, contact Melody Harris via phone (412.365.1578) or email (m.harris@chatham.edu). About the Film “We Wear the Mask” powerfully represents the challenges for low-income women in Pittsburgh, and demonstrates the psychological effects of poverty. Women are disproportionately disadvantaged by growing economic inequality in our country and region. This evocative documentary follows three different women who have faced similar struggles, and illuminates the human impact of economic injustice through their stories. Just Films Just Films is brought to you by the Chatham University Women’s Institute, Gwen’s Girls, the Women and Girls Foundation, the Women’s Law Project, and YWCA Greater Pittsburgh. Share their flyer with your networks.
