Safety at the Y
As one of the nation’s largest providers of youth and family programs, the YMCA has made the safety of children and everyone we serve a top priority. Providing a safe, secure and clean environment for members and other guests is essential to the Y’s cause of strengthening community. Â
Safety Screening & Access
At McGaw YMCA, we prioritize safety and child abuse prevention through a variety of screening and access protocols. In alignment with a national YMCA initiative, we screen all adults (18 and older), including members, program participants, guests, and prospective staff, volunteers and Men's Residence applicants against the National Sex Offender Registry. Individuals with convictions listed on the registry are prohibited from working or volunteering at the McGaw Y, entering YMCA facilities, holding a membership, participating in programs, or residing in the McGaw Y Men's Residence.
Access requirements:
Member Check-In: All members are checked in by McGaw Y staff each time they enter the facility.
Non-Members and Visitors: Anyone age 18 or older who is not a member—including guests, program participants, and visitors—must present a valid, government-issued photo ID with date of birth (e.g., driver’s license or passport) for each visit.
Guest Pass Holders:Â Those using a guest pass of any kind must meet the same ID and screening requirements as all other visitors before entering the facility.
- During designated large public events (e.g., Community Day), non-members may be granted entry without presenting a government-issued photo ID, provided they are attending in an open, public capacity. However, security measures such as staff supervision, event-specific check-in stations, and on-site monitoring remain in effect.
McGaw YMCA may suspend or terminate membership or facility access for anyone who falsifies identification, misuses a membership card, brings unauthorized guests, or engages in other policy violations.
Creating a Child Safe Environment
The McGaw YMCA works in partnership with parents and guardians of children in Y programs to protect children from abuse. Our youth participate in a wide variety of programs, including child care, camps, sports, aquatics, mentoring and more. Our programs follow the principles of youth development, which includes the belief that children need to be physically and emotionally safe in order to learn and thrive.
To help keep children in our programs safe, we take the following steps for staff and volunteers:
- Detailed application forms and comprehensive interview process
- Personal and professional references
- Criminal record checks/fingerprinting
- Staff complete an extensive child abuse prevention training program
- Staff and volunteers are mandated to report any suspected child abuse
- Staff are not allowed to babysit children they meet through the YMCA
Recognizing and Responding to Child Abuse
Child abuse can take many forms—emotional, physical, sexual abuse, and neglect. Recognizing the signs and responding appropriately is a shared responsibility.
Possible signs of abuse may include:
- Abrupt changes in behavior, anxiety, clinging, aggressiveness, or withdrawal
- Discomfort with physical contact
- Fearfulness or depression
- Abuse of other children
- Avoidance of a particular person or refusing to go to a friend’s or relative’s home for no apparent reason
- Sexual language or behavior that is not age-appropriate
- Unexplained bruises, welts, burns
- Unkempt or malnourished appearance
- Disturbed sleeping or eating patterns
- Sexually transmitted diseases and infections
Why are children afraid to tell?
- The abuser tells the child that their parents will be angry.
- The abuser confuses the child about what is right and wrong.
- The abuser tells the child that they will hurt the child's family member(s) if the child tells.
- The abuser tells the child it is a game or a secret.
- Children think it was their fault, or that they should have done something to prevent it.
- The abuser may encourage the child to break rules set by their parents, causing the child to fear punishment.
Why should I do if your child discloses that someone hurt them, scared them, or made them feel uncomfortable?
- Listen and stay calm - your reaction has a powerful influence on your child.
- Believe your child and make sure your child knows it.
- Thank your child for telling you and praise your child’s courage.
If you have questions, concerns, or wish to report abuse:
- YMCA Helpline to report an incident (anonymous): 1-855-347-0751 (staffed by Y-USA’s partner, Praesidium)
- DCFS Child Abuse Hotline to report a suspicion of abuse or neglect: 800-25-ABUSE (800-252-2873 or TTY 1-800-358-5117)
- If you believe a child is in immediate danger of harm, call 911 first.