Joshua Catino knows the most important moments aren’t always the big ones.
Sometimes, making a difference means slowing down for a child, helping a peer or cleaning up a mess when no one is watching. For Catino, those small things are where some of the most meaningful work happens.
Catino has served in a variety of roles at the YMCA, including fitness center associate, after–school care counselor, and summer camp counselor. But wherever he works, each day, he brings genuine care and willingness to go above and beyond for children, members and his coworkers.
“A gardener may have many plants, but without proper care, they will not grow,” Catino said. “Ultimately, I hope to keep contributing to a welcoming, community-based environment at the Y. Sometimes, a small conversation is all it takes to make a difference.”
That dedication shows in how he’s always looking for opportunities to make things better for those around him. Catino volunteers for YMCA events, picks up trash in the parking lot, and even helped a coworker sweep the building early in the morning when she needed support.
He credits the teachers, mentors and professors who have invested in him for helping shape that mindset — which also carries into his work with children.
Around kids, Catino’s patience and compassion always shine through. He is skilled at calming children down when they’re overwhelmed or upset — getting down on their level, talking them through their feelings, and creating the safe space they need.
‘What I enjoy most about working at the YMCA is the opportunity to create lasting, lifelong memories and moments for children who go here,” Catino said. “Every kid deserves to have fun, so here’s to making memories.”
