West Essex YMCA Welcomes New Associate Director

By: Mollie Shauger | Saturday, January 20, 2024 | Leadership

Shannon Frank

LIVINGSTON, NJ - The West Essex YMCA has selected Shannon Frank as its new Associate Executive Director, responsible for leading the daily operations of the branch and its staff, and working alongside District Executive Director Cheryl Tuturice to grow membership and enhance programs and services that uphold the Y’s mission of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. She assumed the role on Jan. 15, succeeding former Associate Director Lisa Sheafer.

Frank, of Scotch Plains, brings 25 years of experience working for the Y movement, most recently at the Gateway Family YMCA in Rahway as the Branch Executive Director. There, she coordinated the day-to-day operations of a 3,000 member, 100 employee organization, including facility maintenance, capital improvements, marketing, and budget oversight. She has been in a Y executive leadership role since 2016 and has served as Director of School Age Child Care and Camp for the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA, and Membership Director and Associate School Age Child Care Director at the YMCA of Montclair. 

"I am thrilled to be joining the West Essex Y at a time of exciting growth and development, particularly within the child care center. Additionally, plans for a new Y are in the works, which will undoubtedly benefit the entire community," she said.

The Y has always been a part of Frank’s life, both personally and professionally. She and her husband Jeff both learned to swim at their local Y’s and held lifeguard, swim instructor, and camp counselor positions. Their three children, Jamie, Bradley and Aaron, have all participated in child care programs, summer camp, basketball, dance, swim lessons, and her two sons have also swam at the national level for the Y. They all still visit the Y regularly for Open Gym, the Wellness Center and community events. She is grateful for the Y’s positive influence in her family’s life and the memories created.

“The experience that my family has had with the Y is nothing but amazing and I want to create those same experiences for others at the West Essex Y,” she added.

She has a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education Studies from University of Delaware. She is a member and Peer Community Chair of the Association of YMCA Professionals.

She comes aboard following the addition of universal pre-K classrooms at Peanut Shell Early Childhood Learning Center for West Orange children, and with the potential to add more UPK classrooms for the next school year. The Y has also opened a new summer camp for pre-K students at Peanut Shell, is welcoming new members with a special promotion this winter, and has relaunched chronic disease programs. The Y is also developing plans to build a brand new, state-of-the-art facility on the former Grace Lutheran Church property.

“Shannon’s expertise in program and staff development, community partnerships, and fundraising will help us serve more people and set the groundwork for expanding our programs and services at a new facility,” said Tuturice.

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About the Y

Established in 1885, the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges invests in its diverse communities to promote wellness, safety and quality of life for children, adults and seniors. Its seven branches in East Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, New Milford, Hardyston, Stillwater and Wayne are committed to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility through an array of programs. Some 35,000 people belong to the Metro Y, which awards more than $2 million annually in direct and indirect financial assistance.