Supporting individuals and families right here in our neighborhoods
Every day, the Y strengthens our community for kids, adults, seniors and families with programs that protect, teach, connect, heal nourish and encourage. It’s how we help the community and the “us” who live in it realize their incredible potential.
Below are the stories of people who have benefitted from being a part of our Y. From cancer survivors in our LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA program to single parents in need of assistance to those looking for help managing a chronic disease and countless others, the YMCA is here to make an impact and change lives.
Do you have a story to share? Share Your Y Story.
“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.”
“This is the third year we have been part of Jeremy’s Giving Tree. The tree takes a little pressure off being able to provide the type of Christmas that our children deserve, but we are unable to always afford.”
“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.”
“Everyone here has become part of our family. The YMCA has been very supportive.”
This coming year marks our Y’s 75th anniversary and I’m most excited about our upcoming building project and the opportunities it will provide to our community.
“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.”
“We joined the Y not long after our son was born in 2005. We started my son in swim classes when he was very young, and then the Y turned into a place for our whole family.”
“The past almost two years have made me realize that although money is important, if you’re not out there helping someone, you are missing out.”
“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 moved from Maryland to Fanwood in 1970. Our dad had worked for the Y in the Middle East when he was younger, and after he came here in his late 20s, worked for a Y in Indiana while he went to college.”
