How We Protect Kids

Our Commitment to Protecting Young People

The YMCA of Honolulu believes that parents, caregivers, and trusted adults all play a vital role in protecting kids and teens from sexual abuse and in creating safe environments for them. In alignment with this commitment, we:

Rigorously and regularly screen and train staff and volunteers
- We conduct a criminal background check and drug testing prior to and during employment, as well as a child abuse registry check
- All potential volunteers need to provide references, clear a background check, and complete volunteer training
- Comprehensive online and in-person child abuse prevention training is mandatory to all YMCA employees and volunteers, and they are required to refresh their training annually

Follow a staffing model that ensure all kids and teens are constantly supervised by screened staff and volunteers while participating in YMCA of Honolulu programs, which include and aren’t limited to:
- Preschool and early-learning programs
- Before- and after-school programs
- Dance, music, and martial arts classes
- Summer programs and camps
- Swim lessons and swim team

Have codes of conduct for employees and members, plus abuse-prevention policies and procedures in place, including those regarding:
- Appropriate and inappropriate displays of physical affection
- Appropriate and inappropriate verbal communication
- One-on-one interactions and outside contact between employees/volunteers and participants
- Electronic communication between employees/volunteers and participants
- Gift giving and receiving with participants and employees/volunteers
- Appropriate and inappropriate interactions between participants