New position will focus on developing community relationships with schools and other educational organizations in the region.
[September 29, 2021] — The YMCA of Metro North is proud to announce Winthrop resident Ricky Baez as the new Director Curriculum and Educational Advancement for three Y Academy Out-of-School Time (OST) program sites in Lynn, Peabody, and Saugus that offer afterschool, school vacation week, and summer programs.
In this new role, Baez will lead the administration and operation of the association’s program portfolio with a strong emphasis on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) curriculum development and provide high-quality afterschool childcare programs. Baez will coach and mentor Y Academy directors and will develop partnerships with schools, families, and community organizations; and ensure compliance with best practices and state licensing standards for programs to ensure that youth (5 to 14 years of age) have access to high-quality OST programs.
“I am thrilled that Ricky will re-join the YMCA team,” says Katelyn Papadopoulos, Vice President of Child Care for the YMCA of Metro North. “His experience in community relationship building and curriculum development will continue to advance the Y Academy programs for our region’s youth and teens.”
Ricky Baez holds a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and brings more than 22 years of experience in the public and private sectors to this new position. Multi-lingual, he speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese fluently and has experience with Italian, Creole, and American Sign Language. In addition to growing up in afterschool programs, Baez previously worked in the field for many years, ultimately serving as an Afterschool Director with the YMCA of Greater Boston. Most recently, as District Director of the For Kids Only afterschool programs in the Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop communities.
“I am excited to be back to the Y,” says Baez. “I was a Y kid growing up and really appreciated what the Y gave to me. Now, I am thrilled to be able to give back through my work.”
The YMCA of Metro North Y Academy program has seven locations and enrolls 850 children in its infant, toddler, early learning, and out-of-school time programs each year.
“In this new role, I am really looking forward to establishing Y Academy as an active participant in children’s education. Through hands-on learning and enrichment activities my goal is to ensure the children will expand on their knowledge and develop a passion for lifelong learning,” says Baez. “I also look forward to supporting the Y Academy team to tap into their knowledge and expertise to bring more fun and creativity to the program.”
Baez’s tenure at the Y Academy begins this Fall.
Learn more about Y Academy: https://www.ymcametronorth.org/yacademy/
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About the YMCA of Metro North
The YMCA of Metro North changes lives for the better. For more than 150 years, their health and child care centers in Lynn, Melrose, Peabody, Saugus, and Stoneham serve more than 69,000 people annually and provide $1.2 million in financial assistance to access YMCA programs, child care, and summer camps.