Impact Stories

Monika and her family have been part of the Y community since 2019. What began with her son participating in child care, preschool sports, and enrichment programs soon grew into something even more meaningful for their family. In 2021, Monika enrolled her son in swim lessons while she worked out at the Wellness Center. At the time, she wanted to make sure her son learned how to swim – neither Monika nor her husband knew […]

Tracey’s journey with the Y began in 2021—but her relationship with water started much earlier. As a teenager, she jumped into a pool believing she could keep herself afloat. Instead, she found herself in distress and had to be rescued. That moment stayed with her for years. After that experience, Tracey avoided pools, lakes, and oceans altogether. Over time, she realized something important: she didn’t want fear to hold her back. She wanted to travel, […]

When Amy enrolled her children in swim lessons at the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA last summer, she was signing up for more than a fun activity for her kids. She was investing in an essential life skill. However, things didn’t go as planned when her 5-year-old daughter, Heidi, arrived for the first lesson. A previous experience at another swim school had shaken Heidi’s trust. She was anxious and didn’t want to get into the pool. Each […]

Pam’s journey with the YMCA began 28 years ago, when she was a new mom searching for a place where her daughter would be safe, supported, and cared for while both parents commuted to New York City for work. After visiting several child care options, it was the people at the Y who made the difference. She found a community that was welcoming, nurturing, and deeply committed to families—and that meant everything to her. That early […]

“The YMCA has been part of my family’s journey since joining in 2012 and my girls have been on the swim team since 2021. I recently joined the Swim Team Parents Organization as the team’s Community Service Liaison. As a Clinical Psychologist and Girl Scout Troop Leader, I have significant experience in community service and I was excited about the opportunity to apply my skills to help our swimmers grow into well-rounded individuals. Volunteering can […]

When cancer treatment ended, Jen’s struggle wasn’t over. “I was tired all the time,” she said. “Even the smallest task felt like a big challenge.” “I remember trying to hang up a few shirts in my closet,” she recalls. “After hanging one or two, I had to stop and rest.” Like many cancer survivors, Jen was navigating life after treatment without the strength or energy she once had. Then a YMCA staff member she trusted […]

When Molly entered 7th grade, working out was not part of her regular routine. She had tried a few fun fitness classes here and there, but she never used equipment to exercise. Then she joined the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA’s 7th Grade Initiative — a free, year-long membership program offered to every 7th grader in our community. “My mom told me about the Y’s 7th grade program and asked if I wanted to try it,” Molly […]

Three years ago, Alex and his mother, Maggie, were searching for a safe, welcoming place for him to stay active year-round. Alex, 34, has autism and loves being outdoors — but after gaining weight during the pandemic, Maggie hoped to find an indoor pool for him to swim during the winter months. Finding a space that fit Alex’s needs was critical. “We needed parking close by — Alex wouldn’t be okay with driving around in […]

“After a medical issue forced me into early retirement, I struggled with isolation and purpose. Multiple joint surgeries and the pandemic only added to the challenge. Following knee surgery in 2023, I joined the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA—and everything changed. Ann in the Wellness Center created a full-body workout plan, and thanks to her encouragement (I can still hear her saying “sit up straight!”), I’ve built strength, confidence, and balance. I now do EGYM circuits three […]

I am so thankful for the Y’s financial assistance program and those who support the Y because it gives people like me the opportunity to join a place like this, which for me has been terrific!”

“Camp last summer was life-changing for my son. I imagine donors wondering if their gift has an impact. Yes! Because of you, we have a place we can go to that feels like a second home, and I know that Jacob is going to get to experience the same things that other kids do. That has an enormous impact on me and my family.”

I want to take a moment and thank everyone in this building, every staff member and every donor, who makes the financial assistance program possible. You are changing lives every day, one person at a time. We are grateful and I will make sure that when my family is financially stable, we will be one of the donors for this amazing organization.

The Y quickly became a 2nd home for us. Sometimes it feels like we are here more than at home, between drop-offs, working out, & their classes! When something is your 2nd home, it is also your family.

For me, coming to the Y is a lot more than just staying in shape. It’s the friends, the support, and the sense of belonging, which means the world to me. I just love it here.

I am so thankful for the Y’s financial assistance program and those who support the Y because it gives people like me the opportunity to join a place like this, which for me has been terrific!”

“It helps them build their confidence and social skills, and it’s also a place of comfort because some of the kids come here for activities outside of school.”

“The days when I don’t come, I feel like my day hasn’t gone right. I can’t imagine our community without this Y.”

“I wanted to get better and move on from it all. The YMCA helped me from a physical and mental standpoint.”

“This is my family’s third year receiving gifts from Jeremy’s Tree. We started when my son was in day care at the Y.”

“I knew I needed to keep healthy both mentally and physically. My doctors tell me that if I didn’t come to the Y to exercise, I’d be a lot worse off.”

“I think it’s really important to keep physically fit. It’s important for your weight, for your emotional health and for your mental health.”  

“I’d tell others who have had a cancer diagnosis, it’s very easy to assume your new self is a weak person, but you can get strong.”

“I am so much stronger now. I lost a ton of weight, too. I’ve been learning how to lift weights and do them properly and it’s been such difference.”

“Over the past year, as a member of the YMCA Board of Directors, I got to see up close the work being done to ensure the YMCA would continue to be there in whatever ways possible to help the community.”

“We originally started with the YMCA’s Special Olympics program, the swimming team. Kevin was part of the team that trained here and then would compete at the state level.”

“A doctor had suggested working out in the water to help ease the symptoms of my MS.”

Sophia recalls: “Our Y story started a long time ago. Ari was born with Down Syndrome and I had a hard time even finding people to babysit for him. We had taken mommy and me swim lessons and when he got a little older, I wanted to continue with the swim lessons. Anywhere I went, the first response was always, ‘we don’t have a special program here.’

“We moved to New Jersey in July 2017 and started taking swim classes in Spring 2018. Thanks to financial aid, my son has been able to take swim lessons here. As a mom, it’s very important that my children know how to swim – that they have the skills they need to save themselves or others.”

“I had a chance meeting with Donna (Peart). The Plainfield Public Schools hosted a wellness event and the Y had a booth. I was borderline pre-diabetes and my doctor was concerned.”

“I was diagnosed with MS on June 9, 2012. It changed my life completely. I no longer work, I can’t drive, my vision is horrible and my balance is bad. I was going to a Kessler (Rehabilitation Center) for a clinical trial and they told me about the Y’s Multiple Sclerosis Water Exercise Program.”

“My neighbor Donna (Peart) works at the Y and told me about the LIVESTRONG® program for cancer survivors. I started right after my last radiation treatment that August. I tried it, was able to get through the first two hours and I said ‘I can do this.’ I never missed a day the whole 12 weeks.”