The Gateway Family YMCA Announces Free Community Membership

Jun 15, 2022 | Business

 The Gateway Family YMCA announced a new free Community Membership initiative, available to all individuals in the communities served in Eastern Union County and Northern Middlesex County, with registration available at www.tgfymca.org/join-the-Y.

“Everyone belongs at The Gateway Family YMCA,” stated Krystal R. Canady, CEO, The Gateway Family YMCA. “Our Y is excited to offer this innovative community initiative to intentionally meet the community health needs of our friends and neighbors. We are happy to welcome everyone to our Y family!”

Community Membership is an opportunity for everyone to participate in designated Y programs, special events and communications through a complimentary membership designed to provide access to all, while remaining connected to each other and the community. Community Membership includes a sample of both free and fee-based YMCA programs and special events, specifically cultivated with community health, chronic disease management and the YMCA mission in mind. More information is available at www.tgfymca.org/community-membership.

“At The Gateway Family YMCA, we have always stood by our mission, to be For All,” stated Melynda A. Mileski, EVP, Chief Operating Officer. “We feel the Community Membership initiative is a natural evolution of our commitment to increase reach, access and affordability for the programs, services and events that shape health equity within every community we serve.”

Since 1900, The Gateway Family YMCA has served the local community, focusing on programs and services that empower young people, improve health and well-being and inspire action in and across communities. With a focus on small group social opportunities, family activities and events, support for chronic disease management and volunteer opportunities, The Gateway Family YMCA’s Community Membership includes programs and activities such as Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring, Diabetes Education Management, Lifeguard and CPR Training, LiveSTRONG at the YMCA, Virtual WISE Community Services, Residential Housing Programs, Healthy Kids Day, Senior Health and Fitness Day, YMCA Member Socials and Community Open Houses.

“Community Membership provides another intentional outreach initiative, to ensure that we are providing support and connection for all,” stated Rodger D. Koerber, VP of Operations. “We work every day to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live their healthiest life, assist individuals in overcoming barriers and improving access to health-promoting resources. With the Y, you will find countless opportunities to connect with your neighbors, give back to your community and be your best self.”

“We like to say that the Y isn’t a building. It’s people from all backgrounds and walks of life who come together to improve their lives, nurture their families and strengthen our community, together,” stated Colleen A. Clayton, Chief Membership & Development Officer. “Access for all is not a new concept to us. Our commitment to our community has always included financial assistance, which is directly supported by our Annual Campaign donors, ensuring that everyone has access to programs, services and membership.”

As part of the kick-off to the Community Membership initiative, The Gateway Family YMCA is celebrating a Find Your Summer Open House July 28-31 at Y branches in Elizabeth, Rahway and Union including family swimming and basketball, water exercise, and group exercise programs. This special event is free and open to the community. Additional details are available at www.tgfymca.org/events

The Y is the leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community by connecting people to their potential, purpose and each other. The Gateway Family YMCA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, health and community service organization of caring staff and volunteers dedicated to strengthening community through Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and generations, the Y ensures that everyone has access to the opportunities, relationships and resources necessary to learn, grow and thrive.

For more information about The Gateway Family YMCA, the Community Membership initiative or YMCA programs, visit www.tgfymca.org or contact the Elizabeth Branch 908-355-9622, Five Points Branch 908-688-9622, Rahway Branch 732-388-0057, Wellness Center and WISE Center Branch 908-349-9622 or Youth Development Branch 908-355-3061.

The Gateway Family YMCA

Colleen Clayton

908-249-4811

www.tgfymca.org

ContactContact

Categories

  • Lifestyle

The Gateway Family YMCA Reminds Community Water Safety Should be Top of Mind

May 23, 2022 | Business

 The Gateway Family YMCA wants to ensure that water safety doesn’t get lost in our communities ongoing eagerness to return to a “normal” summer. As temperatures rise, kids want to cool off, whether that’s in home pools, ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, or oceans. And that means the risk of drowning is present. With May being National Water Safety Month, The Gateway Family YMCA is encouraging parents and caregivers to reinforce the importance of water safety and equip their kids with the essential skills to keep them safe in and around water.

“As ‘America’s Swim Instructor,’ The Gateway Family YMCA annually teaches more than 1,000 children valuable water safety and swimming skills,” said Krystal R. Canady, CEO, The Gateway Family YMCA. “Now more than ever, it’s important to remind parents and caregivers that water safety needs to be top-of-mind as families start to return to their favorite summertime activities.”

As part of National Water Safety Month, The Gateway Family YMCA is encouraging parents to play an active role in promoting water safety and providing five tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable swimming experience for all.

1. Never swim alone or without a water watcher. When children are swimming, make sure they are actively supervised at all times. Teach your children that they should only swim in locations where a lifeguard is on duty, or where a responsible adult agrees to watch the children in the water without distractions.

2. Supervise your children whenever they’re in or near water. Whether it’s bath time or taking a dip in a pool or lake, make sure your children are within an arm’s reach at all times.

3. Don’t engage in breath holding activities. Children should not hold their breath for a prolonged amount of time while swimming, as this can cause drowning and has several other severe physical side-effects.

4. Wear a life jacket: Inexperienced or non-swimmers should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.

5. Don’t jump in the water to save a friend who is struggling in deep water. If a child finds their friend in deep water unexpectedly, their natural instinct may be to jump in the water to try to save them. Even if a child is a great swimmer, a panicked person will overpower them, pulling the rescuer underwater. The Y’s Safety Around Water program teaches the “reach, throw, don’t go” concept of using a long object to reach for them and pull them to safety. By using this technique, children can help their friend without compromising their own safety.

“Water Safety isn’t just a summer program, it’s a life-long skill taught year round here at the Y,” stated Melynda A. Mileski, EVP/COO, The Gateway Family YMCA. “Children learn essential water safety skills, as well as confidence and endurance in Y swimming lessons.”

Throughout Water Safety Month, The Gateway Family YMCA will be sharing information on their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/GatewayFamilyY for the community, highlighting tips and information on water safety.

The Gateway Family YMCA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, health and community service organization of caring staff and volunteers dedicated to strengthening community through Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. The Gateway Family YMCA impacts the community by providing quality services for all. The Y doesn’t just strengthen bodies, it strengthens people, families and communities.

For more information about The Gateway Family YMCA, visit www.tgfymca.org or contact the Elizabeth Branch 908-355-9622, Five Points Branch 908-688-9622, Rahway Branch 732-388-0057 or the Wellness Center and WISE Center Branch at 908-349-9622.

The Gateway Family YMCA

Colleen Clayton

908-249-4811

www.tgfymca.org

ContactContact

Categories

  • Hobbies & Craft

The Gateway Family YMCA Announces New Superhero Workshop for Children with Special Needs

May 23, 2022 | Business

 The Gateway Family YMCA announced an exciting and unique new program, designed specifically for children with special needs and their parents. The Design Your Own Superhero Workshop is a collaboration with the Maker Depot Academy, and offers a 4-week program where children will use their imagination and creative skills to design their own superhero. At the end of the session, children will have a project to display, share and take home.

Registration is available online at www.tgfymca.org or in person at The Gateway Family YMCA – Rahway Branch, 1564 Irving Street, Rahway where the program will be held. This program is open to the community and financial assistance is available.

“The Gateway Family YMCA has served the community since 1900,” stated Krystal R. Canady, CEO, The Gateway Family YMCA. “Our programs and services are essential in meeting the needs of everyone in the community, and this program promises to be fun, educational and unique.”

The Gateway Family YMCA – Rahway Branch offers a variety of traditional YMCA programming like swimming lessons, youth sports and child care, as well as arts programming and education.

“We are proud to be a part of the community in Rahway, and our commitment to the Arts, as well as our extensive renovations of the Rahway Branch a few years ago,” stated Melynda A. Mileski, EVP/COO, The Gateway Family YMCA. “The Superhero Workshop is a fun and unique twist to traditional arts programming and we are excited to see this concept take off in our community.”

This program is made possible in part by a 2022 HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant from the Union County Board of County Commissioners.

The Gateway Family YMCA is a leading 501(c)(3) non-profit, health and community service organization committed to strengthening community by connecting all people to their potential, purpose and each other. Working locally, the Y focus on empowering young people, improving health and well-being, and inspiring action in and across communities. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and generations, the Y ensure that all have access to the opportunities, relationships and resources necessary to learn, grow and thrive.

For more information on The Gateway Family YMCA, visit www.tgfymca.org or contact The Gateway Family YMCA – Rahway Branch at 732-388-0057 or rahwayinfo@tgfymca.org.

The Gateway Family YMCA

Colleen Clayton

908-249-4811

www.tgfymca.org

ContactContact

Categories

  • Children & Youth

32nd Annual Family Picnic

May 23, 2022 | Business

 Adoptions From The Heart (AFTH), is proud to announce the return of their 32nd Annual Family Picnic. After a saddening 2-year hiatus, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, AFTH is thankful to be able to bring adoptive families together again for a day of family fun. Join AFTH staff and families (both domestic and international) as they celebrate and thank their clients for allowing the agency to be a part of the journey to building beautiful families. AFTH’s family picnic will feature great music, food/snacks/drinks, arts and crafts, games/activities, and some amazing raffles.

Rain or shine, this year’s event will be held on Sunday, June 5, 2022, from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM at the Fort Washington State Park located at 44 W. Mill Rd., Flourtown, PA 19031. All proceeds from this event go towards AFTH’s Expecting and Birth Parent Support Fund; a fund that aids birth parents who have placed through their agency and are experiencing financial hardship. This amazing event will host hundreds of adoptive parents, birth parents, and children to celebrate open adoption. There are even families and members of the adoption community who will be open to interviews and speaking to members of the press about their adoption journeys and impact that the community has had.

About Adoptions From The Heart

Adoptions From The Heart (AFTH) was founded in 1985 by Maxine Chalker, a social worker and fellow adoptee. Like many children born and placed for adoption during the 1950s, Maxine grew up with little information about her birth parents. Maxine’s dream was to give adoption a new face by breaking down the barriers and taking some of the mystery out of the adoption process. AFTH is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a safe, loving home for children and offer comprehensive, high-quality services to adoptive families, birth parents, and children. The agency is licensed in PA, NJ, DE, CT, VA, and NY

Adoptions From The Heart

Jada McCurry

610-642-7200

https://afth.org/

ContactContact

Categories

  • Food & Beverage

Meet Downtown Brooklyn’s New Family, PS Family, at Their Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Earth Day Celebration

Mar 25, 2022 | Business

 Press and the public are invited to the Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Earth Day Celebration at PS Family’s new Downtown Brooklyn office (297 Livingston Street) on Saturday April 23rd from 10am to 4pm.

The Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, hosted by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, starts at 10 am, with remarks from local officials and community leaders. The ceremony ends at 11am after photographs and mingling. In celebration of Earth Day, PS Family is hosting free workshops for the community on immigration and Opening or Expanding a Childcare Business, and a live performance of Pistachio, a play about composing. New or gently used books, provided by the Brooklyn Book Bodega, will be given to children attending the event.

“This event is designed to celebrate our new office in a way that is meaningful and helpful for our providers, our families, and our community.” –Emilie Gay, Executive Director, PS Family Childcare Network

Full event details and schedule can be found here: https://psfamilynyc.org/publicevents/grandopening-earthday

PS Family NYC is a child care network funded through the DOE, responsible for managing one of the largest Family Child Care Networks in NYC. PS Family NYC works directly with in-home child care providers, supporting their businesses with professional development workshops, training and paying the city subsidy for qualifying families enrolled in childcare programs in the network. PS Family helps find high quality, low cost or free childcare for families with children birth to 3 in Brooklyn and Queens.

PS Family NYC

Gabrielle Napolitano

718-701-1707

psfamilynyc.org

ContactContact

Categories