As chief operating officer, Jeanine Achin is responsible for the successful operation of the five branches of the YMCA of Pawtucket, including membership, program development, volunteer recruitment, staff supervision, community relations, collaborations, properties, budgeting and financial results.
Most recently, Achin served as executive director of the YMCA Southcoast throughout Bristol County, Mass., where she successfully opened a new YMCA branch in Swansea. Achin graduated from Springfield College in Springfield, Mass., with a bachelor’s degree in health, recreation and physical education. She then completed the Springfield College executive master’s program in human services with a concentration in organizational leadership.
PBN: You’ve been in the position for more than two months now, what are your top priorities for the YMCA of Pawtucket?
ACHIN: One of our top priorities is youth development. This fall we will work to expand our before- and after-school child care. Our enrichment programming has been designed to help extend the learning opportunities for our youth in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) and we exercise a holistic approach to our programming.
It has been proven that children must be healthy in order to maximize their education. We offer a nutritious breakfast and snack program, and will soon be opening a new family dining option at our Pawtucket Family YMCA downtown branch. Children enrolled in our before- and after-school program also participate in a wide variety of physical activities, including free swim lessons. The YMCA accepts state payments and offers financial assistance to ensure no child is ever turned away.
Another top priority is to help individuals, families and our communities become healthier. We serve people of all ages and physical conditions and, in the near future, we will announce innovative programming designed specifically for people living with chronic disease. Early next year, we will be rolling out the LIVESTRONG program – a 12-week physical activity course designed to help cancer survivors get back on their feet. Survivors participate in free, customized exercise regimens from certified fitness instructors trained in cancer survivorship, post-rehabilitation exercise and supportive cancer care. Survivors and their families also receive a membership to the YMCA for the duration of the program.
PBN: What are the biggest challenges the organization faces and how do you plan to address them?
ACHIN: The biggest challenges, in my opinion, are those most crucial to serving our members and the community. We have five branches that comprise the YMCA of Pawtucket, two of which are housed in older buildings requiring renovation. To address this need, task force committees have been formed to develop a master plan for each location.
In addition, since the YMCA of Pawtucket has the tremendous opportunity to work with various cultural populations, we are challenged to make certain our staff is equipped to serve their needs. We are working to hire additional bilingual staff and are providing extensive training opportunities highlighting diversity and inclusion.
PBN: There are five branches of the YMCA of Pawtucket. As COO, is it a juggling act to make sure everything runs in tandem?
ACHIN: It is indeed a juggling act, but we are fortunate to have a talented and dedicated staff. At each branch, our employees work as a team to adapt to the needs of their respective community. To promote and strengthen the “team” environment, we created departmental quality teams, which share best practices and adopt association-wide procedures. For instance, when a member participates in a group exercise class in Lincoln (MacColl YMCA) and follows with another class in Pawtucket, they enjoy the same experience and benefits.
PBN: You previously worked as the executive director of the YMCA Southcoast in Massachusetts and opened a new branch, what was that experience like?
ACHIN: Opening a new branch is always invigorating and exciting. It presents a unique opportunity to handpick an exceptional staff and offer members a pristine, state-of-the-art facility. My biggest thrill was introducing the YMCA to the community. Residents were overjoyed to have a new YMCA in the neighborhood and our impact was immediately felt. As is common in many suburbs, the area did not have a community gathering location. The new facility not only provided programs and services for healthy living and positive recreation, it also offered an opportunity for social interaction and community building.
PBN: What skills can you apply to your role as COO of the YMCA from Pawtucket from that experience and your time at the YMCA Southcoast?
ACHIN: Throughout my career, I have strived to best implement the cause of the YMCA to empower people and promote social responsibility. Having worked in the YMCA for 25 years, I have acquired perspective, facilitation skills, negotiating skills and the ability to communicate in many different styles.
Besides the YMCA Southcoast, I also enjoyed the experience I received at the YMCA of Greater Providence and at the Attleboro, Mass., YMCA. I had the privilege of working with wonderful YMCA leaders, several of whom have gone on to lead initiatives at the national level. I learned extensively from each of them and many still serve as my mentors.
I have also been fortunate to serve in many different communities, both urban and suburban, which helped me understand the uniqueness of our five locations and how each YMCA branch can best serve the local community’s needs.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
