Sussex County YMCA honors staffer, Sparta teen and Byram family
HARDYSTON — The Sussex County YMCA gave out several awards recently honoring Wellness Director Alma Dhuyvetter, Sparta teenager Chris Smith and the Justiano Family.
Alma Dhuyvetter earns staff member of the year
Throughout her 11 years as the Sussex County YMCA wellness director, Alma Dhuyvetter has introduced numerous programs designed to help members transform physically and mentally.
She “teaches members how to make healthy lifestyle changes so that they are not only able to achieve short-terms goals, but are able to sustain a new way of living," said Sussex County YMCA Executive Director Jennifer Gardner. “Alma’s passion for her job, the member and the community we serve are apparent every day.”
The Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges, the largest association of YMCAs in New Jersey, honored Dhuyvetter with the 2015 Rudolph N. Hawkins Staff Member of the Year Award at its 39th annual dinner, held April 7 at the Hanover Manor in East Hanover. The Sussex County Y is a branch of the Metro Y.
“It’s truly an honor to be seen in this light. The Metro YMCA is such a progressive YMCA," Dhuyvetter said. “It’s a little overwhelming because I’ve always tried to highlight the talented staff I’ve hired who do the work," the Wantage resident added.
Concerned about the obesity epidemic, Dhuyvetter in 2009 created a way for doctors to prescribe a fitness plan for their patients. Nearly 1,200 children and adults have enrolled in the free, 12-week Y First Physicians Referral Program, which includes a personally tailored exercise plan, ongoing support from a wellness coach, and nutritional education.
Participants “go through a big change, and can’t believe how good they feel," Dhuyvetter said.
In 2007, Dhuyvetter introduced a program to help people, especially those with neurological disorders, make exercise a habit. In 2015, the program expanded to serve children with autism and other developmental disorders, and is now called, Everyone Can Play.
The Y has partnered with the Sussex-Wantage Regional School District so schoolchildren can participate weekly in Everyone Can Play, increasing both their physical activity and social engagement.
“We look to see what the needs of the community are, and create programs to address them," Dhuyvetter said.
She also heads the Sussex County Y’s Healthy Kids Day, the annual barbecue, and the staff and volunteer dinner, and serves on branch’s golf committee. Her department raised $18,640 for the 2015 annual campaign.
As part of the Young Leaders Program at the Fairview Lake YMCA Camps, Smith led the Sussex County Y’s first food drive alongside other teens. They collected a truckload of canned goods for the Salvation Army in the fall, while inspiring other teens to volunteer for an important cause.
“No matter the time of year, Chris can be found at the Y participating, leading, volunteering, and even taking time to work on his own wellness," Sussex County YMCA Executive Director Jennifer Gardner said.
Smith’s efforts have earned him the Sussex County Y’s 2015 Russell Colgate Youth of the Year Award. Smith was honored at the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges’ 39th annual dinner, held April 7 at the Hanover Manor in East Hanover. The Sussex County Y is one of six branches of the Metro Y, the largest association of YMCAs in New Jersey.
Smith’s mother, Lisa Pompey Smith, couldn’t be prouder. “The YMCA brings out the best in him. It has help make him into the fine young man he’s become," she said.
Last summer, Smith volunteered more than 100 hours at the Y summer camp, and he plans to do it again this summer. “My counselors at camp inspired me," said the Sparta Middle School eighth grader, who began attending Sussex County Y camps when he was in elementary school.
Yami Justiniano, the mother, volunteered as a coordinator of the boys’ team. Her husband, Tony, took on setting up for meets (and cleaning up afterward), with the help of 17-year-old Antonio, an accomplished Swordfish swimmer. And 15-year-old Brandon has worked the all-important concession stand, organizing and tracking the inventory, much of which the family donated.
“The many hours this family has donated over the past four years is truly amazing,” Sussex County YMCA Executive Director Jennifer Gardner said.
The family affair in volunteerism has earned the Justinianos of Byram the 2015 W. Daniel McCain Award for Youth Development from the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges, the largest association of YMCAs in New Jersey. The family was honored at the Metro Y’s 39th annual dinner, held April 7 at the Hanover Manor in East Hanover. The Sussex County YMCA is one of the Metro Y’s six branches.
“It’s amazing to be honored this way, to be picked out from so many dedicated volunteers," said Yami Justiniano, who, like her husband, works full-time. When they first volunteered, the Justinianos had no idea how involved they would become.
“We volunteered when they asked, and then we just kept helping out," Yami Justiniano said.
Antonio Justiniano, a senior at Lenape Valley High School, has been on the Swordfish swim team for four years, and has achieved the platinum swim level.
“The swim team means a lot to him, so it meant a lot to us," his mother said. “We’ve developed good friendships, and it’s been nice to be there for each other.”
The boys have also volunteered at the annual Healthy Kids Day event, and at the Adult Mini Meet, a swim team fundraiser. The whole family works out at the Y.
Gardner said the family has a “willing-to-do-anything attitude’’ that has made swim meets a success, including last summer’s first swim team championships at the Y.