YMCA of the Palm Beaches Welcomes Two New Key Staff Members

West Palm Beach, Fla. (Dec. 11, 2024) – The YMCA of the Palm Beaches has announced
two new, key staff members have joined its team in support its ongoing expansion within its Palm
Beach County territory.

Sofia Melo has been named Aquatics Director. Melo brings over three decades of aquatics
management, swimming instruction, and water safety education experience to help the Y
maintain and expand its water safety efforts. She thrives at creating a welcoming learning
environment for communities with diverse needs and is fluent in English, Spanish, and
Portuguese. Melo previously served as the Aquatics Director at Mandel JCC of The Palm
Beaches. She teaches courses in lifeguarding, junior lifeguarding, CPR, first aid, and AED.
Melo is certified in CPR, first aid, AED, and lifeguard training. She is also a certified water
safety instructor and instructor trainer.

Thalia Alfaro will serve as the Y’s new Community and Member Engagement Specialist.
Alfaro is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University and has extensive experience in social
media and marketing. She brings a fresh new perspective on how to connect with the
community to engage the next generation of Y members. Before joining the Y, she leveraged
social media to promote events and increase attendance while also managing the event
budgets at local healthcare and public relations entities.

Tim Coffield, CEO of the YMCA of the Palm Beaches stated, “Both Sofia and Thalia will be
great additions to our team of cause-driven leaders, as we continue to expand our services
within the Palm Beach County Community.”

About YMCA of the Palm Beaches
The YMCA of the Palm Beaches has served the Palm Beach County community for more
than 100 years, providing essential programs, activities, and services for thousands of
children, seniors, and families annually. The Y’s mission is to ensure everyone has the
opportunity to learn, grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment, regardless of
the ability to pay. The organization has an active Capital Campaign to build a new
community center. Learn more at ymcapalmbeaches.org and follow on Instagram
@ymcapalmbeaches.