A LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY: See YMCA History in the Making

SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

Dear Members of our Community,

We are proud to announce and invite all members of the community to join us at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new site of the Berkeley Heights YMCA on Saturday, October 6th at 8:30AM at 59 Locust Avenue to celebrate this important event for Berkeley Heights.

For years, The Summit Area YMCA has been working to find a permanent location for the Berkeley Heights YMCA, so that we can continue to adapt to the changing needs of our diverse community. We have been limited in expanding our important programs to best serve the community, until now. We are grateful to have secured a 50-year lease agreement with the Township for the property at 59 Locust Avenue, home of the community pool. I, like many in our community, have made lasting memories with family and friends for many summers at the pool. The YMCA has successfully managed the operations of the pool for the last two summers.

As part of the lease agreement, the YMCA will be constructing a new YMCA facility, complete with a childcare center, full-size gymnasium, multi-purpose rooms, three studios, wellness center, and of course, a brand new outdoor pool. This new construction is being made possible by the many generous contributions of people in our community to the Berkeley Heights YMA Capital Campaign. We are grateful to the many community members, businesses and foundations who have contributed over $740,000 in support of the new building and pool. We hope to have the opportunity to speak with more members in the community who would like to invest in the future of Berkeley Heights.

 

 

This new facility will create opportunities to collaborate with local organizations and partners, serve more children, families and seniors, create additional programs of all disciplines and cement the Y as the true community leader for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

The Summit Area YMCA has been serving the community since 1886 at our four branches: The Summit YMCA, The Learning Circle YMCA Childcare Center, The Berkeley Heights YMCA, and now proudly the Berkeley Heights Community Pool at the YMCA. Our Berkeley Heights Y opened 23 years ago in a leased building on Springfield Ave. As one the area’s leading nonprofits, we have been proud to serve the community and ensure everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive at the Y.

We provide working families with peace of mind, through quality and affordable childcare onsite and in 5 local elementary schools; we provide free membership to 7th Graders and free swim lessons for 2nd graders. We are proud to offer a variety of health and wellness classes for all ages and abilities, including LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA, a free cancer recovery program and Healthy Hearts, a free program to improve cardiovascular health.

The YMCA is committed to creating a culture in which diversity and inclusion are integral to everyday operations. We have partnered with local organizations, to introduce more Special Needs Programs for youth and teens. These programs are thoughtfully designed for children with diverse abilities including communication, social, behavioral and learning differences to thrive in a safe, friendly and supportive environment.

Last year the Summit Area YMCA provided over $500,000 in direct financial assistance to over 800 individuals at our branches for childcare, membership and subsidized programs. Subsidized programs and financial assistance are made possible through generous charitable contributions to the Y.

We are incredibly excited to share this historical moment for our Y with the community, and endeavor to continue providing quality programs, resources and services so that every individual has the ability to reach their full potential. We’re getting our hard hats and shovels ready for a new, thrilling beginning. I hope we have the opportunity to celebrate this investment in our community together.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Escott
Berkeley Heights YMCA Executive Director
(908) 464-8373
tiffany.escott@theSAY.org 

To learn more about the Summit Area YMCA Capital Campaign, please visit www.sayfuture.org.

 

About the Summit Area YMCA
The Summit Area YMCA is one of the area’s leading 501(c)3 charitable organizations. Founded in 1886, the Summit Area YMCA has a history steeped in working side-by-side with our neighbors to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income and background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Each year, we serve more than 10,000 individuals with our free and fee-based programs and services in an area spanning the communities of Berkeley Heights, New Providence, Millburn, Springfield, Short Hills, Summit, Gillette, and Stirling. Through the generosity of our members, donors, and partners, we are able to offer financial assistance for our programs and services to those with demonstrated need.