Graceanne Schwegel has been hired at the Cumberland Cape Atlantic YMCA as the senior program director of Childcare and Camp, and Aaron Hawkins, II has been hired as director of Marketing.
A Vineland resident, Schwegel’s responsibilities include overseeing camp, before and after school, and holiday care programs. She began her career as an afternoon aide at a YMCA and has worked at this organization previously.
Schwegel was part of the Cumberland Cape Atlantic YMCA from 2012 to 2015. Her prior positions included several roles in public schools, plus two positions with the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties. In those jobs, she was director of Camp Worth and site director/lead teacher for the Kindergarten program.
Her experience additionally includes positions with Better Tomorrows (Marlton, NJ) and Learn Well (mid-Atlantic region).
Local YMCA CEO George Steinbronn, Jr. expressed his appreciation of Schwegel’s return. “We are truly happy to have Graceanne back at the Y,” he said. “Her competence and attitude are great assets for all of us.”
“The Y has always been an important part of me,” she said. She is also enthused about the ongoing growth of programs at the Cumberland Cape Atlantic YMCA. “For example, we now have before and after school programs at 24 sites, including Atlantic County,” she explained. “I wanted to come back and serve the kids where I’m a resident. I wanted to live the change and be the change. At the Y, I live it every day.”
She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Lycoming College and a Master’s degree from Johnson and Wales University. Schwegel and her husband, Nick, enjoy the beach, outdoors, friends, and family.
Aaron Hawkins is a Bridgeton resident who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Marketing from Rowan University. Hawkins’ responsibilities include social media, the website, and other marketing duties. He came to the Y from the NJ Motorsports Park, where he served first as marketing coordinator and then as director of sponsorship. He was previously Public Relations and Marketing manager at Profecy A Cappella, Rowan University’s male a cappella group.
“We are pleased that Aaron has joined us,” Steinbronn said. “He brings experiences that are important to our organization, and we all welcome him.”
“I’m glad to join the team at the Y. I learned to swim there and have attended other programs,” Hawkins said. “I’m happy to tell the community all that the Y does – it’s really ingrained in communities in Cumberland, Cape, and Atlantic counties.”
A local resident, he noted that he is familiar with this region. “I’ve lived and worked here,” he said. “I look forward to getting to know the Y members, understanding their interests, and delivering the Y message.”
In his free time, Hawkins plays basketball and is active in his church.
