Tag Archives: Anjali McCormick

Roundup: Town Boards, Staples Cabaret, GFA Robots …

Posted on March 2, 2025 | 3 comments

First Selectwoman Jen Tooker’s most recent newsletter, “Westport in Focus,” has hit email inboxes all over town.

Among the items: a call for volunteers for town boards and commissions.

She writes: “Over the past few years, 2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore has spent considerable time meeting with and recommending eligible residents for appointments to non-elected town boards, Committees and commissions. Many people have heeded the call for civic involvement, and we are very appreciative of their efforts. These volunteers are making a difference in your community!

“The work of filling these positions is ongoing. Opportunities remain that may be of interest to those with unique skill sets, life or professional experience. This includes those with architectural experience for possible appointments to the Historic District Commission, or perhaps a background in building or engineering for the Building Maintenance Committee or the Public Site and Building Commission.

“Other agencies, such as the Parks Advisory Committee, Racquets Advisory Committee, Human Services Commission, Flood & Erosion Control Board (alternates), and Tree Board are for those seeking an opportunity to volunteer, listen, and learn about town operations and how they may contribute in an advisory capacity.

“You must be a registered voter to be considered. Please submit an interest form (click here) and discover how you may volunteer to serve Westport. You will find it very rewarding, I’m sure!”

The Flood & Erosion Control Board plays an important role in Westport life. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)

==================================================

On Friday night, former CNN TV journalists Alisyn Camerota and Dave Briggs emceed Fashionably Westport, the Westport Downtown Association’s fun fundraiser for Homes with Hope, at the Westport Library.

Just moments before though, they were back in breaking news anchor mode. The pair — who recently began a joint podcast series — used the Library’s Verso Studios facilities to interview Ian Bremmer.

They asked the founder and president of Eurasia Group — a highly regarded political risk research and consulting firm — about that afternoon’s global alliance-shaking meeting in the Oval Office between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky.

The interview was almost as stunning as the presidents’ session.

“This was probably the worst day for the world since 9/11,” Bremmer began.

It marked “a catacylsmic shift in the Western order … a core break.”

Bremmer noted that the US has been the only NATO nation ever to invoke Article 5 — the principle that says if one member country is attacked, all other members will defend it.

“America’s allies now look at us and say, ‘We don’t feel we have a trusted ally,'” Bremmer added.

Click below for the full 14-minute podcast:

Click here for Alisyn’s Substack. Click here for Dave’s Instagram.

==================================================

Cabaret Olé — the fundaiser for Staples High School’s Orphenians trip to Spain, with performances by that elite a cappella ensemble, and highly regarded VOCES8 — just got even more special.

Mary Kate Morrissey — lead in Broadway’s “Wicked” — and Dan Micciche, the show’s music director and conductor — will also perform at the March 30 event (6 p.m. Christ & Holy Trinity Church).

Morrissey spent a decade touring 92 cities with “Wicked,” “Mean Girls” and “Hair,” before making her Broadway debut in Wicked in 2023. Micciche has been with the show for over a decade, including national and international tours.

He will coach the Orphenians on their song with Morrissey.

Cabaret Olé includes tapas and other light bites, and a silent auction. Funds raised go to both the Spain Choral Festival and the VOCES8 Foundation.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Monday, March 3, noon) at www,Orphenians.com.

==================================================

Mindy Wolkstein’s husband died recently, from complications of dementia.

During his illness, ElderHouse Adult Day Center in Norwalk took great care of him.

For 48 years they have provided care for many others too, while giving caregivers much-needed breaks.

To give back, Mindy joined their board of directors. Now, she’s spreading the word about an upcoming Elderhouse benefit.

“Night at the Aquarium” (April 3, Maritime Aquarium, Norwalk) features hors d’oeuvres, dinner, drinks and an auction.

The evening will also honor the Greens Farms Academy Community Service Program. Led by Susan Wilchinsky, it has engaged hundreds of students in service to ElderHouse for over 25 years. Students meet weekly at the Norwalk adult day center.

For tickets, sponsorship opportunities and more, click here.

==================================================

Speaking of Greens Farms Academy: Their Dragonoid team recently completed a very impressive robotics competition season.

They earned several engineering and programming awards, showcasing their skills at the State Championship, held at Bridgeport’s Total Mortgage Arena.

The Middle School team, Dragonoid Mechanics finished second overall. They also received the Create Award, for innovative problem-solving.

The Upper School team, the Dragonoid Brawlers, demonstrated adaptability and resilience, fine-tuning their robot under pressure. Earlier in the season they received a Judges’ Award, for dedication and ingenuity.

Greens Farms Academy Dragonoids Middle School robotics team. From left: Ben Kiev, Cooper Mleczko, Will Manes, Liam Haverstick, Mackenzie Bloom.

==================================================

In 2021, Anjali McCormick was named CEO of the Westport Weston Family YMCA. She came from New Jersey, where she served as senior vice president and chief operating officer with the Summit Area YMCA.

McCormick left Westport this past August, after navigating the local Y through COVID, and celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Now she’s back in the Garden State — at the same Summit Y. She returns as interim CEO of its 4 branches on March 10.

Board chair Maria Brugg says, “Her extensive leadership experience, deep knowledge of the larger Summit area, and business acumen as a graduate of Harvard University with an MBA from New York University will help us forge new paths during this transitional period for our nearly 140-year history.”

Click here for the full story. (Hat tip: Pete Wolgast)

Anjali McCormick, at the Westport YMCA. (Photo/Dan Woog)

=================================================

Sorelle Gallery’s new show, “Refraction,” features abstract watercolor paintings by Connecticut artist Nealy Hauschildt.

It opens next Saturday (March 8), with a reception andn artist meet-and-greet from 2 to 4 p.m. Click here for more details.

Nealy Hauschildt

==================================================

It’s Tummy Time!

That’s the class — sponsored by Little Gan — Chabad of Westport’s pre-school — to help parents and caregivers support their baby’s physical development (ages 0 to 6 months), through fun activities led by a pediatric physical therapist.

The sessions emphasize the important of “tummy time,” with exercises to build strength, balance and coordination.

The class runs from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. on Mondays, from March 31 to June 2.

Click here for more information, or email jewishwestport.com/grownupandme.

Looking for tummy time.

=================================================

Slowly warming temperatures have drawn residents to our beaches — including, in this “Westport …Naturally” photo, Sherwood Island State Park.

Today’s high temperature will struggle to reach freezing. By Tuesday, it will be back near 50. Welcome to March!

(Photo/Celia Campbell-Mohn)

==================================================

And finally … in honor of Tummy Time, the program for infants’ parents and caregivers (story above):

 (“06880” echoes 1st Selectwoman Tooker’s call to get involved. Our suggestion: Click here to make a tax-deductible contribution to this hyper-local blog. And then, yeah, join a board. It’s all good.)

 

3 Comments

Posted in Library, Media, YMCA

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

McCormick Steps Down As Y CEO

Posted on August 17, 2024 | Comments Off on McCormick Steps Down As Y CEO

The pandemic affected every organization in town. Among the hardest hit: the Westport Weston Family YMCA.

In the spring of 2021 — when strict rules still governed the pool, workout and class areas, gym, even the Mahackeno Outdoor Center — Anjali Rao McCormick arrived as CEO.

She had quite a resume. A Harvard graduate, with an MBA in marketing from NYU’s Stern School of Business, she’d worked for American Express and Citibank.

Most recently, she had been COO of the 4-branch Summit Area YMCA in New Jersey.

Anjali McCormick (Photo/Dan Woog)

McCormick saw the Y through its recovery from COVID. They’ve now reached the town-mandated limit on memberships. The place hums with activity 7 days a week, from early morning to night. It’s as vital a part of the community as it ever was in its downtown digs.

Yesterday, the Y board announced that McCormick will step down on August 30. CFO Glen Hale will serve as interim CEO.

“It was an honor to play a small role in this amazing organization’s century-long service to the Westport and Weston community,” McCormick says.

She thanked the “brilliant staff … amazing members and generous donors” for their work for the Y, and support of her. She also cited the Y board.

Last year, the Y celebrated its 100th anniversary, with a fall gala.

The Y was founded by Edward T. Bedford. More than 50 years earlier, he’d been a teenager standing outside the Westport Hotel — a wooden building on the corner of State Street (the Post Road) and Main Street — watching men play pool. He could not go inside, “on account of the saloon.”

Edward T. Bedford.

Decades later — now a wealthy man, as a broker of lubricating oils for railroads, an executive who helped chemist Robert Chesebrough sell his new product, Vaseline, and a director of Standard Oil — he spent $150,000 providing a “place for boys and young men to congregate.”

It was the perfect location: the Westport Hotel. It was the same spot, in the heart of town, where half a century before he’d been denied entrance.

The Y left downtown in 2013. Today, the Tudor style building is Anthropologie.

1923 was a momentous year in local history. Two other institutions founded that year are also still flourishing: The Westport Rotary Club, and Westport Garden Club.

The Y Board is creating a search committee for the new CEO. For questions about the position, email info@ceoinformationwestportwestony.org.

(“06880” cover Westport from A to Z — including the Y. But we can’t do it without readers’ help. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)

Comments Off on McCormick Steps Down As Y CEO

Posted in Looking back, YMCA

Tagged ,

“06880” Podcast: Anjali McCormick

Posted on September 6, 2023 | 2 comments

When Anjali McCormick took over as Westport Weston Family YMCA CEO, the pandemic was still in full swing.

People longed to swim, work out and take classes. They wanted their kids in summer camp. But they worried about doing it too close to others. The Y was much quieter than usual.

Today, the Bedford Family Center and Mahackeno Outdoor Center buzz with activity. The pools, fitness center, gym and classrooms are full (the parking lot too).

As the Y prepares for its 100th anniversary gala October 6, McCormick looks both back and ahead. She’s learned a lot about the organization’s illustrious history.

And she is eager to build on it.

The other day at the Westport Library, McCormick joined me for an “06880” podcast. She talked about her route from Harvard and New Jersey to Westport; the Y’s strengths (and challenges), and what’s to come.

Click below to view.

 

2 Comments

Posted in YMCA

Tagged ,

“My First Job”: Mahackeno Mentors Teenage Staff

Posted on August 14, 2023 | 6 comments

The 16-year-old applied to be a Camp Mahackeno counselor.

But he struggled when Westport Weston Family YMCA officials — who run the popular summer camp — asked for online forms.

Then he had difficulty getting to, and through, training sessions. He was about to lose his job.

When Y human resources director Brian Kuzmiak sat with the boy, he learned the full story. The teenager had a difficult home life. He had no ride to and from work, and the only time he used a computer was at the library.

Kuzmiak took a chance. He and Mahackeno director Emily Regan mentored him.

“He turned out to be one of our best and most energetic counselors,” the HR head says. “Kids always surrounded him.”

He returned this year, for a second summer. Again, he bikes to and from work every day.

That’s one success story among dozens. With 175 staff members — 35% of the Y’s total employees — the organization is one of Westport’s largest employers of young people.

175 young people work at Camp Mahackeno. Many are teenagers; nearly all are under the age of 25.

More than half of the counselors are 16 to 18 years old. For many, it’s their first job ever. They’ve never applied for work; never sat for an interview; never been entrusted with work responsibilities.

And at Mahackeno, those responsibilities include the safety and well-being of hundreds of younger kids.

So Kuzmiak, Regan and Westport Y CEO Anjali McCormick have responsibilities of their own, as they hire and supervise camp staff.

They take that aspect of their roles very seriously.

“The Y’s mission is ‘youth development, healthy living and social responsibility,'” McCormick notes.

“So we develop the whole youth. We prepare children for life, for being mature, contributing adults. We are there as they move from playing sports and doing our programs, to being in many cases their first employer.”

A young person’s first job is an important life milestone. 

That means not just hiring young people. It involves teaching life skills like punctuality, dressing respectfully, communicating with supervisors, treating others well, and being role models.

“It’s really leadership training, without being an official leadership program,” McCormick says. (That training includes helping staff members in college mentor those still in high school.)

Those are big challenge. But, she adds, “it’s great when kids excel and shine. We’re serving the community — and adding to the labor pool.”

The application process begins online. That’s the first hurdle for many teens: They’re not used to checking email.

“There’s a lot of ghosting” — no further communication — “after the application,” Kuzmiak says. “We try to make contact, but at some point we assume the kid is not interested.”

The hiring process weeds out those who really want to work, from those whose parents want them to.

Then — for those who follow up — comes an in-person interview.

“Kids are usually nervous,” Kuzmiak says. “We try to put them at ease, with a casual conversation. At the same time we look for things like, are they making eye contact?

“Eventually we want to know ‘Why are you applying? What are you looking for in a job?’ Most of them genuinely want to work, and they like kids. Some are doing it because their parents are making them.”

Parents can be an issue in other ways too.

“When a mom or dad asks me why their child wasn’t hired, I say, ‘Tell them to call us,'” Kuzmiak explains. “They’re the ones who applied for the job.”

How often do parents involve themselves in their child’s application (or eventual work, with questions about — for example — their pay)?

“More than you think,” Kuzmiak says.

Once hired, there are forms to fill out — contracts, information on sexual harassment and social media policies, direct deposits — and training sessions.

The most important element, McCormick emphasizes, is safety.

“We are a child-service organization. We’re licensed by the state. We have to train 175 people about counting heads, bathroom policies, you name it. It’s a mammoth exercise.”

Counting heads is an important part of camp policy.

And, of course, many of them are still teenagers.

“There’s a lot of hormones. Some of them have their own issues. It’s a lot,” McCormick says.

Most counselors quickly assume responsibility, and grow in the job. “I’m surprised at the number who ‘get it,'” Kuzmiak says. “Punctuality and professionalism has been great.”

Many counselors are only a few years older than their campers.

Of course, Y leaders must spend “a lot of time on those who don’t.”

“Emily really bumps them up,” McCormick says. “She makes sure they show up on time, dressed appropriately, and work as a team.”

But when late summer hits — and it’s hot, and their friends are at the beach — the “I don’t want to be here” feeling hits a few of the staff.

It’s Kuzmiak’s job to deal with those kinds of matters.

He’s an HR professional. But most of his career was spent with adult workplaces. This is only his second year at the Westport Y.

“Anjali has taught me to be patient with teenagers,” he says. “I’m not as quick as I would be to let them go.

“I don’t have a trigger finger for firing,” McCormick adds. “I have to show our older staff that these are not 50-year-olds. These are kids, who may not have been in certain situations before.

“There is an ‘acceptable level’ of mistakes — except for serious safety violations. We could never put kids, or the Y, at risk.”

Waterfront safety is a key concern.

For common issues — leaving a group to talk to a friend, disagreeing loudly with another counselor in front of children, speaking harshly to a camper — Kuzmiak, Regan or an assistant will speak privately with the teenager. They’ll explain ways to improve the behavior — and they document it.

In 95% of the cases, Kuzmiak says, “that’s enough.”

The Y’s approach seems to work. Staff retention is very high.

And campers must like their counselors: They too return year after year.

After all, they get a chance to hang out with counselors like the boy who almost did not get hired.

But Kuzmiak reached out to him, and took a chance. The Y mentored him, helping him grow.

Now he bikes to Camp Mahackeno every day.

Where he is a star.

(“06880” often highlights organizations, and people of all ages, making positive differences here. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!) 

Happy campers (and staff members). (All photos courtesy of Westport Weston Family YMCA)

6 Comments

Posted in Children, Teenagers, YMCA

Tagged , , , ,

Anjali’s Long Journey To The Westport Y

Posted on June 1, 2021 | Comments Off on Anjali’s Long Journey To The Westport Y

YMCA once stood for “Young Men’s Christian Association.

The name Anjali is Indian. It means “devotion to God.”

Those 2 worlds — different religions, thousands of miles apart — are now one. Anjali Rao McCormick is the new CEO of the Westport Weston Family YMCA. Her path began in Calcutta; it now takes her to the Mahackeno campus, by Merritt Parkway Exit 41.

Anjali Rao McCormick

It seems almost foreordained.

Anjali’s family left India in 1984 for Long Island, where her father had a sibling. The oldest of 4 girls, she was suddenly thrust from an all-girls Catholic school into 11th grade at a public high school. “It was like walking onto the set of ‘Grease,'” she says.

As a government major at Harvard University, she thought about entering the diplomatic corps. But after graduating cum laude she pivoted to New York University’s Stern School of Business, for an MBA.

When her third child entered school, McCormick re-entered the workforce. She spent 10 years in a variety of positions with the Summit Area YMCA, rising to senior vice president, chief operations officer.

With her youngest daughter about to graduate from high school, the move to Westport seems right. She is looking for new challenges and growth opportunities.

The selection committee was impressed with her management style, and results at the 4-branch New Jersey Y. She’s been called a “transformational” leader, with “community focus, talent, and vision.”

And — though she did not know it until she applied for the Westport position — her Y ties go back far longer than her decade with the Summit Area Y.

McCormick’s father told her recently that after her grandfather left India by boat in 1927, landed in San Francisco and took a train to the University of Kansas, he found friends at the local Y.

“He was a brown man in white middle America,” McCormick says. “But the Y gave him a community. He felt he belonged.”

As she settles into her new community of Westport — she’s commuting until her daughter graduates, but spends several nights a week at the Inn at Longshore — McCormick is focusing on what makes this Y strong.

And how she can make it even stronger.

The Westport Weston Family YMCA .

The Y — and all of Westport — enjoy “a rich, robust history,” she says. “This is an excellence-oriented community. People have high standards. That puts pressure on me. But it doesn’t scare me.”

Her job is to “find a way to serve all the different populations. How can we grow, along with other youth and senior organizations? What can we do with the Library, and the Community Garden? A rising tide lifts all boats.”

She knows that Westporters are passionate about many things — including the long debate, a decade ago, over the Y’s decision to leave its longtime downtown building for the Mahackeno property.

“I come in with a clean slate,” McCormick notes. “”I hear the voices. It’s my job to ask what we need to do to make sure the strongest community exists here.”

She’s getting to know the staff, and is impressed with what she’s seen. She wants to make sure they’re customer-oriented, and can deliver on the Y’s promises.

The Camp Mahackeno staff gets high marks for their involvement with campers.

McCormick takes over at an intriguing time. COVID regulations that hampered many non-profits — and shut down the Westport Y for 3 months — are easing. Yet bringing people back to the pool, fitness center and classes is not easy.

The Y’s revenues dropped significantly over the past year. That’s another yet challenge.

McCormick sees opportunity in the pandemic’s wake. More people moved to Westport than any other town in the state over the past year. Many are families, with young children. She’ll reach out to new residents, inviting them to see all that the Y offers. “Come, get healthy!” she says.

Newcomers — those families, like herself today and her grandfather nearly a century ago — are looking for community. The YMCA — no longer a “Young Men’s Christian Association,” but a place for all — can offer that.

Comments Off on Anjali’s Long Journey To The Westport Y

Posted in YMCA

Tagged ,