The Summit YMCA Invites Community Members to Leave Their Mark

Summit, NJ – June 23, 2023

Over the past month and a half, the Summit YMCA has been undergoing its first major renovation since 1998. The Summit Area YMCA’s flagship building, which is more than 110 years old, will feature a modern two-floor open-concept fitness center, a brand new 1,300 square-foot Teen Center, multi-purpose space, and a relocated and enhanced Kid Zone. With an anticipated reopening in the fall, the Summit YMCA calls upon local community members to leave their mark by providing the remaining donations it needs for furniture, fixtures, and equipment.

The volunteers and staff at the Summit YMCA have been working on plans for this much-needed renovation since 2015. They recognized the importance of modernizing the facility to meet today’s standards and expand the Y’s impact in youth development, social responsibility, and healthy living programming to better serve our community for decades to come. Rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for an updated building was made even more evident by a drastic increase in the number of teens using the space for programs that promote their well-being.

“As one of the area’s leading nonprofit organizations, it’s critical that our building meets the modern needs of our community in the areas of youth development, health and wellness, and social responsibility,” said the Summit Area YMCA’s Vice President of Advancement Kaitlin Casey. “This renovation will not only ensure that we can optimize the quality of our services for our neighbors, but it will also allow us to accommodate more adolescents to meet the growing demand for our teen programs.”

The Summit YMCA has been a safety net in the community since its founding in 1886. From financial assistance for things like swimming lessons and childcare to free programs like LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA, resources are available for every individual from every economic background at every stage of life.

“At the heart of this renovation is our goal to have the Summit YMCA remain a pillar of this community for the next 100 years,” said Rob Radest, a Summit Area YMCA Board of Trustee and Chair of the Summit YMCA Capital Campaign. “Every donation to this project is an investment in that vision.”

With the cost of construction covered, volunteers and staff are now seeking additional funds for the purchase of everything from lobby furniture to new exercise equipment. Members of the community who are interested in supporting this project can browse items in need of sponsorship or make a pledge of any amount at www.sayfuture.org/opportunity. A pledge of $3,000 or more over three years, the equivalent of $83.33 a month, allows you to leave your mark on the Summit YMCA with your name for well into the next century. Learn more about giving opportunities here or contact Kaitlin Casey, VP of Advancement, at kaitlin.casey@thesay.org or 908-738-2173 to discuss.

For more information about the Summit YMCA Renovation project, follow its progress, or go back in time and take a peak at the original basketball court, visit www.sayfuture.org.

Summit Area YMCA

In 1886, we were founded as the Young Men's Christian Association, but today, we are The Y. An association that values and is made stronger by its diverse people. We stand for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility — For a better us. We are committed to creating equal opportunity for all regardless of gender, age, disability, income, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive culture in which our four core values — responsibility, honesty, caring, and respect — are integral to everyday operations.

Each year, as one of the area’s leading 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, the Summit Area YMCA serves more than 17,000 individuals with our free and fee-based programs and services in an area spanning the New Jersey communities of Berkeley Heights, Gillette, Millburn, New Providence, Short Hills, Springfield, Stirling, and Summit. Our history is rooted in working side-by-side with our neighbors to ensure everyone can learn, grow, and thrive. Through the generosity of our members, donors, and partners, we are able to offer financial assistance for our programs and services to those in need.