On August 30, 2016, the Summit Area YMCA received a generous gift of $2,500 from the Affinity Federal Credit Union Foundation, which supports the Y in providing free memberships to participants in the Family Promise program staying at the Central Presbyterian Church each month.
As a charitable organization, the Y counts on the generosity of our community to ensure that no child, family, or adult is turned away from our programs and services because of their inability to pay. Financial assistance allows the Summit Area YMCA to provide a summer camp experience, swim lessons, or involvement in one of our sports leagues to every child and family who seeks the opportunity. In September of 2014, the Summit Area YMCA began providing financial assistance for memberships to individuals participating in the Family Promise Program in Summit, NJ.
Family Promise is a national organization based in Summit whose mission is to help homeless and low-income families achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response. The SAY began partnering with Family Promise in 1986, its first year of existence, to offer a hot shower as well as place for families to gather. Locally, homeless families find housing at various locations, rotating weekly. While families find themselves at the Central Presbyterian Church in Summit, the SAY provides them with short-term memberships so they can utilize our facilities and programs. Since starting this partnership a year and a half ago, we have given out 65 memberships, though only approximately 30 are active at any given time. The participants in this partnership range in age from 1 to 58.
The Summit Area YMCA is one of area’s leading 501c3 organizations. Our programs and services are open to all through our financial assistance programs made possible through the generosity of our members, donors, staff and partners. To help us help others, please make your donation today at www.thesay.org.
(above) Erin Witherspoon; foundation development administrator Dr Lauretta A Farrell; AVP External Affairs Executive Director presenting check with Paul Kieltyka, CEO & President of the Summit Area YMCA and Terri Clinton, Executive Branch Director of the Summit YMCA.
