When the Rye YMCA started its search for just the right person to oversee its community initiatives, they were fortunate to find a candidate who covered all the bases. On March 15, they announced the hiring of Denise Woodin as Director of Community Impact and Social Responsibility.

When the Rye YMCA started its search for just the right person to oversee its community initiatives, they were fortunate to find a candidate who covered all the bases. On March 15, they announced the hiring of Denise Woodin as Director of Community Impact and Social Responsibility.

 

Her first week on the job we invited her to our office for an interview. With so many activities going on at the Y, it was actually quieter at the newspaper.

 

Having served previously as Senior Director for Resource Development at United Way of Westchester, Ms. Woodin was well versed in working with government leaders, volunteers, schools, and the business community. She also has a reporter’s nose for a good story having freelanced for The Rivertowns Enterprise, a weekly newspaper covering Dobbs Ferry, where she lives, and the surrounding communities. Before working for United Way, she coordinated public involvement campaigns for major transportation and environmental projects for Helen Neuhaus & Associates, a Manhattan-based consulting firm

 

“I’m looking forward to expanding the Rye Y’s educational awareness role,” said Ms. Woodin. “We’ve started an ‘Ideas’ folder, and the folder is getting bigger every day.”

 

It is through a United Way grant that the Y was able to fund its Family Gardening intergenerational initiative, which blossomed this month. “Head Start children are coming to garden through the grant,” she said enthusiastically. “This is the first time we’ve partnered with the Rye Nature Center. The garden theme is one we’ll continue. The Y is the perfect organization to foster those relationships.”

 

The Rye Y is also hoping to work with the Nature Center on a community garden project. “We’re working with them on a $50,000 joint grant from General Mills. We’ll find out in June.”

 

Meanwhile, Ms. Woodin is on a fast learning curve of the Y’s existing initiatives — Safe Routes to School, Complete Streets, Edible Gardens at the schools.

 

“Denise’s experience, educational background and enthusiasm for the YMCA’s mission make her a wonderful addition to the Y family,” said Executive Director Gregg Howells.