STEPS Receives YMCA's Reaching Out Award

On November 14, 2011,  the Southington Community YMCA officially announced their recipients for this year's annual outstanding awards.  STEPS is the  "Reaching Out Award" recipient, which is given to a community organization for their charity and goodwill efforts.

"On behalf of STEPS, we are very proud to receive the 2011-2012 Reaching Out Award from the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA.  It is a great honor to be recognized by such a distinguished organization for making a difference in the Southington Community.

 From the beginning, our goal has been to work together to make Southington a better place for our kids to grow up in.  We understand that it takes a village to raise a child, which is why it is so important we all understand how much of an impact we can make on our youth.  From our students, to parents, the Southington Police Department, the Clergy Association, our school system, business community, to our town government, we have started a movement to build developmental assets, and provide safe, healthy outlets for our youth, which will result in the reduction of youth alcohol and other drug use.  This is only the beginning for STEPS and we hope to continue to change the environment of our community for the better.

Although this award is given to STEPS, it is really given to the Town of Southington because if it wasn’t for the collaboration between all of us, STEPS wouldn’t exist.

Other YMCA award recipients include, Rachel Wache (Unsung Hero Award), and Tony Sheffy (Person of the Year Award).

 Thank you to the Southington community for doing your part and to the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA for this special recognition." - Kelly Leppard, STEPS Coordinator

All three recipients will receive their awards at the YMCA Annual Meeting on February 1, 2012 at the Aqua Turf Club.

Featured in the photo above from left to right is Beth Smedick (YMCA Board President), Rachel Wache (Unsung Hero), Kelly Leppard (STEPS Coordinator), Tony Sheffy (Person of the Year), and John Myers (YMCA Executive Director.  A special thanks to the Southington Citizen for the photo!

Photo taken by Julie Sopchak, Southington Citizen