South Shore YMCA Takes Action to Protect Children During National Five Days of Action

This April, the South Shore YMCA is reaffirming its unwavering commitment to child safety by participating in the national Five Days of Action®, a weeklong awareness campaign running April 13–17, while also celebrating a major milestone: earning Praesidium Accreditation, the highest honor in abuse prevention for youth-serving organizations.

Observed annually during Child Abuse Prevention Month, Five Days of Action mobilizes YMCAs nationwide to raise awareness and empower adults with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to help prevent child sexual abuse. This year’s campaign focuses on an increasingly urgent topic, keeping kids safe in digital spaces, as children and teens spend more time learning, socializing, and playing online.

Throughout the week, the South Shore YMCA will share resources and education for parents, caregivers, and community members centered on the nationally recognized Know. See. Respond. framework. The campaign encourages adults to:

• Know what questions to ask youth-serving organizations about abuse prevention
• See the warning signs and grooming behaviors that may indicate risk
• Respond appropriately and confidently when a child needs help

As a visible show of solidarity and commitment, YMCA staff across the South Shore will proudly wear blue on April 15, joining communities across the country in raising awareness for child abuse prevention. Community members are encouraged to wear blue as well and take the Five Days of Action pledge to stand up for child safety.

The South Shore YMCA’s participation in Five Days of Action is reinforced by a significant achievement announced earlier this month: the organization has officially earned Praesidium Accreditation, a rigorous, evidence-based credential recognized as the gold standard in abuse prevention. Praesidium Accreditation is awarded only to organizations that demonstrate excellence across eight critical operational areas, including policies, staff screening, training, supervision, reporting, and continuous improvement.

“This accreditation sends a clear message to families in our community: the safety of children in our care is our highest priority,” said Trevor Williams, President and CEO of the South Shore YMCA. “We will not compromise on safety, ever. This recognition reflects the intentional, year-round work our staff, volunteers, and leadership do every day to protect the children we serve.”

The Praesidium Accreditation process included an extensive review of YMCA practices across all programs, from early learning and after-school care to camps, aquatics, sports, and gymnastics. The accreditation is valid for three years and requires ongoing accountability and adherence to the highest standards in child protection.

Together, Five Days of Action and Praesidium Accreditation underscore a core truth at the South Shore YMCA: child safety is not a one-week campaign, it’s a daily commitment.

To learn more about Five Days of Action, take the pledge, or access free child safety resources, visit ssymca.org/fivedaysofaction.

About the South Shore YMCA

The South Shore YMCA is a leading nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to strengthening community through programs that promote healthy spirit, mind, and body. Serving the communities of Quincy, Randolph, Holbrook, Weymouth, Braintree, Milton, Hingham, Hull, Cohasset, Scituate, Norwell, Hanover and beyond, the South Shore Y provides the opportunity for families, children, and adults of all ages to grow, learn, and thrive through its services and programs. Financial Assistance is a Y community benefit available to all families in need, applicable to all Y programs and services. To learn more about the South Shore YMCA, visit www.ssymca.org.

About Praesidium

Praesidium specializes in preventing sexual abuse in organizations that serve youth and vulnerable adults. Over a period in excess of 30 years, the company has reviewed over 4,000 cases of abuse within organizations to determine the root causes of sexual abuse within organizational settings. Praesidium employs more than 50 staff, including licensed social workers, lawyers, health care researchers, and other experts. The company has served over 5,000 clients with a broad range of products and services to aid organizations in preventing abuse, including online and instructor–led trainings, organizational risk assessments, model policies, and background checks. Having trained more than one million people online and hundreds of thousands in person, Praesidium is the largest and most comprehensive sexual abuse risk management firm globally.