Cranston’s Cornicelli named Executive Director of Youth Protection Advocates in Gymnastics, a Non-Profit Dedicated to Keeping Youth Healthy & Safe

(Cranston, RI): Cranston’s Shannon Cornicelli, president and owner of Dream Big Inc., has been named executive director of the Youth Protection Advocates in Gymnastics (www.YPAG4change.org.). Cornicelli, 38, also serves on Y.P.A.G.’s inaugural advisory panel.

Recently launched, Y.P.A.G. is a a non-profit organization dedicated to building empowered gymnastics communities to keep youth happy, healthy and safe, has launched.  Y.P.A.G. unites communities to educate parents, coaches and athletes on the emotional, physical and sexual safety of youth in gymnastics. The organization provides support, education and resources for those in need of help and healing to keep athletes, their families and coaches happy, healthy and safe in all gymnastics related environments.

“Given the current state of gymnastics it is crucial that we remember all of the positivity and focus on building a safe environment for gymnasts of all skills and levels,” said Cornicelli. “I am excited to partner with Y.P.A.G. and support its mission of protecting youth in the sport of gymnastics.”

“Shannon is someone who will not wait for others to make the industry a safer place, but will create the needed change herself,” said Y.P.A.G. Founder Leslie Scott. “Shannon’s commitment to the Holistic Wellness of young athletes and is not only needed but admirable.”

One of the top gymnasts to emerge from Rhode Island, Cornicelli has the distinction of being the sole individual (male or female) to own and operate three gymnasiums in the state and has been recognized by Providence Business News as one of the top Rhode Island women in business. In 2017, Cornicelli received the RI Ambassadors Award from the RI Convention & Visitors Bureau. She was honored by the CVB for bringing business to RI and adding to the local economy by hosting the 2016 Mardi Gras Invitation. She followed up with an even larger and more prestigious meet in 2017 – The Beauty & The Beast Invitational. The meet which incorporated both gymnastics and wrestling competition and drew more than 1,200 competitors, is one of seven events Cornicelli runs annually.

“Gymnastics builds inner strength, character, bravery, dedication, and compassion,” said Cornicelli. who operates two gyms in Cranston and one in Cumberland. “I have been so lucky to have had my sport as my backbone throughout my entire life. I have had the most inspiring coaches, lifelong teammates, and mentored and coached countless gymnasts. Y.P.A.G.’s mission fosters the belief that as coaches we are mentors and educators first and foremost. The mental, physical and emotional health of our gymnasts is our top priority. I am thrilled to play a role in such an important organization,” she said.

YPAG’s holistic approach helps coaches develop the gymnast from the inside out by building up the child’s self-esteem and self-worth and introducing young gymnasts to their inner voice and strength.

“It is my hope that with Y.P.A.G.’s involvement we can inspire today’s gymnasts to believe in themselves and dream big; qualities that will be embedded in their character for the rest of their lives,” said Cornicelli.

Y.P.A.G. was recently launched by Scott. A 28-year accomplished veteran in the dance industry, Scott created a similar organization, Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (Y.P.A.D.), several years ago. This non-profit group is dedicated to ending the exploitation of children in dance and encourages education, awareness and activism that leads to the healthy self-esteem, safety and psychological development of youth. Y.P.A.D. is recognized as a trusted resource to guide and unite the dance community through the complexities of today’s dance culture.

Y.P.A.D.’s sister organization, Y.P.A.G., unites communities to educate parents, coaches and athletes on the emotional, physical and sexual safety of youth in gymnastics. Y.P.A.G. provides support, education and resources for those in need of help and healing to keep athletes, their families and coaches happy, healthy and safe in all gymnastics related environments. Y.P.A.G.’s inaugural advisory panel offers a diverse combination of leaders in the gymnastics industry as well as spets in psychology, criminal justice, political science, social justice, healthcare and nutrition.

“We must be mindful of trends in culture and media and how they influence our athletes,” said Scott. “We encourage education, awareness and advocacy that leads to positive body image, a healthy relationship with food, empowered self-esteem, healthy management of social media, physical safety and honoring the impressionable psychological and sexual development of youth. Y.P.A.G. is a trusted resource to guide and unite our gymnastics community through the complexities of today’s gym culture. Y.P.A.G.’s leadership ensures every child is safe and no child is ever harmed.”

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