YMCA of the USA honors U.S. Rep Katherine Clark as Congressional Champion

  U.S. Representative Katherine Clark (Fifth District of Massachusetts) was named a “YMCA Congressional Champion” in Washington, D.C., on February 15, 2023, for her leadership as an advocate for affordable early education and care and on March 17 was awarded for her work at the Mystic Valley YMCA.

  “The Y is fortunate to have elected leaders such as Rep. Clark,” said Mystic Valley YMCA President & CEO Debbie Amaral. “Her leadership on funding for crucial early childhood education programs such as Head Start and the Childhood Development Fund is just one example of her work to improve lives throughout the state of Massachusetts and the rest of the country.”

  “I am deeply grateful for the YMCA’s life-changing work on behalf of kids across Massachusetts, and I’m honored to be recognized as one of their Congressional Champions,” said Representative Clark, who is the Democratic Whip. “I ran for office to help build a brighter future for our Commonwealth’s families. Working alongside extraordinary organizations like the Y, House Democrats have taken historic strides toward making that vision a reality. I look forward to keeping up our fight for early education to ensure that every family has the resources they need to succeed.”

  Representative Clark has been a staunch supporter of the YMCA since she was in the Massachusetts State House. As a member of Congress, Representative Clark has always been there for the YMCAs in her district. The Y has been honored to partner with her and her office as she leads in the early childhood education space.

  Ryan Li, a Youth and Government representative from the Mystic Valley YMCA, presented the award during a ceremony at the Mystic Valley YMCA in Malden. Also in attendance were Malden Mayor Gary Christenson, State Representatives Paul Donato, Christine Barber and Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Metro North YMCA CEO Kathleen Walsh, Cambridge YMCA CEO Nancy O’Brien, YMCA of Greater Boston Chief Program Officer Amy Turner, YMCA of Greater Boston Senior Director of Partnerships & Community Relations Kathryn Saunders, Mystic Valley YMCA Chief Volunteer Officer Ronnie Puzon and Karen Gately, who leads Mystic Valley YMCA’s Youth and Government program.