The Gateway Family YMCA Launches 2018 Annual Support Campaign

The Gateway Family YMCA has announced the launch of their 2018 Annual Support Campaign. Annual Campaign donations help to ensure that everyone in the community has access to vital community programs and resources that support youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The 2018 campaign goal is to raise $575,000 in donations to support those in need in the communities surrounding Elizabeth, Rahway, and Union.
The Gateway Family YMCA works to support the people and neighborhoods that need it most by addressing unique challenges within each community they serve. The Gateway Family YMCA uses financial gifts to help individuals and families in need participate in programs such as: Early Learning Readiness (school readiness), Diabetes Prevention Program (chronic disease prevention), teen leadership programs, supportive housing, and social services. In 2017, The Gateway Family YMCA provided over $635,000 in financial assistance for membership, programs and services to the communities served in Northern Middlesex County and Eastern Union County.
“As a non-profit charitable organization, we believe all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve, we help people and families build and maintain healthy habits for spirit, mind and body in their everyday lives and we take on the most urgent needs of our community, providing support to our neighbors,” stated Joseph Venezia, Leadership Council Chairperson. The Gateway Family YMCA is a leading child care provider in the community, supporting nearly 400 children in traditional YMCA child care programs and 130 children and caregivers through Early Learning Readiness (ELR), a community program for preschool children.
“The Y is a positive force in this community. Together, we take on the challenges that shape our community’s future. From tackling the achievement gap to teaching healthy habits for a lifetime or giving people the chance to strengthen our community through volunteering, everything the Y does is in service of building a better us,” stated Krystal R. Canady, CEO. “Every day, our community faces new challenges that create a greater need for the work we do. YMCA donors, volunteers, members, and partners make the difference in the communities we serve.”
Dedicated to building a healthy community, The Gateway Family YMCA provides free Diabetes screening programs, a Diabetes Prevention Program and LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, and a free program for cancer survivors. In 2017, charitable gifts from YMCA donors helped to make it possible for 1300 children to have a safe place to learn and build confidence after school; 1000 children to experience lasting memories and friendship in summer camp, 2600 to learn safety and confidence in swim lessons, for 23,600 members to reconnect and grow together as a family, for over 700 people in need to gain a support system and a place to live; and countless others to access education and training to reach their full potential.
“We rely on the support of our neighbors in the local community to partner with us to continue to provide the programs and services our community so greatly needs, including housing and social services, child care and summer camp, water safety and older adult services,” stated Melynda A. Mileski, EVP/COO. “With our doors open to all, the Y brings together people of all backgrounds and supports those who need us most. Our donors, members, volunteers, supporters and staff demonstrate the power of what we can achieve, working together to build a better us.”
The Gateway Family YMCA, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, health and community service organization of caring staff and volunteers dedicated to strengthening the foundations of community and stands For Youth Development, For Healthy Living and For Social Responsibility.  The Gateway Family YMCA impacts the community by providing quality services to people of all ages, races, faith, or incomes. All donations to the Annual Campaign are tax-deductible.
To learn more about supporting the Y’s cause, please contact The Gateway Family YMCA Association Office at 908.249.4800 or visit tgfymca.org.