Whatcom Family YMCA Earns Praesidium Reaccreditation, Among First 11 YMCAs Nationwide, and Invites Community to Participate in Five Days of Action

The Whatcom Family YMCA has once again received the prestigious Praesidium Accreditation®, renewing its commitment to the highest standards in abuse prevention and youth safety. With this achievement, the Whatcom Family YMCA is among the first 11 YMCAs across the country to receive reaccreditation.
This distinction reflects not just a moment in time, but a continued dedication to protecting the children, families, and individuals who rely on the Y every day.
This milestone comes as the Y also prepares to participate in the YMCA’s annual Five Days of Action, a week-long campaign dedicated to raising awareness and empowering communities to prevent child abuse.
Together, these efforts highlight a shared focus on one simple but powerful idea: keeping kids safe is everyone’s responsibility.
To earn reaccreditation, the Whatcom Family YMCA underwent a comprehensive and rigorous review process led by Praesidium, a global leader in abuse risk management. The process evaluates critical areas across the organization, including staff training, screening and hiring practices, supervision, policies, reporting systems, and accountability.
“At the Y, safety is not optional. It is something we build into every program, every interaction, and every decision we make,” said Courtney Whitaker, Chief Executive Officer at the Whatcom Family YMCA. “Being reaccredited reflects the intentional work our team continues to do every day to create spaces where families feel confident and kids can truly thrive.”
Building on that commitment, the Y is inviting the community to take part in Five Days of Action, happening April 13-17. This year’s theme for the national YMCA initiative is Keeping Kids Safe in the Digital Space.
Throughout the week, the Whatcom Family YMCA will share resources, tips, and tools to help parents, caregivers, and community members better understand how to recognize warning signs and take action to protect children. On Thursday, April 16, from 5:30-6:30pm, the Y will host a training for parents and caregivers regarding digital safety for youth.
“Five Days of Action is about extending this work beyond our walls,” Lynda Purdie, Association Director of Human Resources added. “When adults feel informed and empowered to speak up, it creates a stronger, safer community for all kids.”
Praesidium Accreditation is valid for three years and represents a sustained commitment to continuous improvement, vigilance, and accountability.
For the Whatcom Family YMCA, this reaccreditation reinforces a promise not just to meet standards, but to lead with care, transparency, and responsibility.
Serving Whatcom County since 1890, the Whatcom Family YMCA is dedicated to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Each year, the Y provides programs and support that help people of all ages build confidence, connect with others, and reach their full potential.
Community members can learn more about Five Days of Action and access safety resources by visiting whatcomymca.org/5doa or stopping by the Y during the campaign week. About Praesidium Praesidium is the leading innovator of scientifically based solutions designed to transform the way organizations approach the prevention of sexual abuse. Praesidium’s expertise, consulting, and solutions help to foster safer environments for children, vulnerable adults, staff, volunteers, and all parties involved. For over 30 years, Praesidium has trained more than one million people online and hundreds of thousands in person. As the largest and most comprehensive sexual abuse risk management firm globally, Praesidium knows how sexual abuse happens and, more importantly, how to prevent it.