YMCA of Greater Hartford

?? A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Amazing Volunteers! ?? We feel so lucky to have celebrated Read Across America Week not just once, but twice! Thanks to the incredible volunteers from Trinity Health Of New England, we extended the celebration for another amazing week in our early education classrooms. ???? With warm smiles and engaging stories, these volunteers brought books to life, sparking curiosity and joy in our young learners. Their time and energy made a lasting impact — we read books about colors and animals of all kinds, played games, and laughed together. We're so grateful for their dedication to nurturing a love of reading and making special memories with our young learners. ?? Thank you, Trinity Health of New England, for helping us inspire the next generation of readers! Together, we’re building brighter futures, one story at a time. ??? #GHYMCA #BelongToSomethingGreater #ReadAcrossAmerica #ThankYouVolunteers

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Amazing Volunteers! Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming incredible volunteers from across our community to help us celebrate Read Across America Week! Thanks to your time, energy, and love for reading, children in our early education programs enjoyed exciting stories, engaging conversations, and unforgettable moments. Your dedication truly made a difference — showing our young readers that books can unlock a world of imagination, curiosity, and learning. Thank you for being a part of this special week and for investing in the future of our youth. Together, we are building brighter futures, one page at a time. Hoffman Auto Group #ThankYouVolunteers #ReadAcrossAmerica #GHYMCA #BelongToSomethingGreater

?? Enhancing Accessibility at Wheeler YMCA! ?? We are proud to share that thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors—Main Street Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, Dr. Bill Petit Jr., and Gail and Bill Millerick—Wheeler YMCA has made significant strides in creating a more inclusive fitness experience. Their collective donation of $8,000 has helped bring new adaptive fitness equipment to our facility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to stay active and healthy. This investment has funded: ? A new adaptive fitness stepper, which features: - A swivel chair that rotates 90 degrees for easier transfers. - A removable seat, allowing individuals in wheelchairs to roll directly onto the machine. - Full-body engagement, enabling users to work both their arms and legs with natural, coordinated movement. ? A ramp addition to another piece of adaptive equipment, further improving wheelchair accessibility and expanding fitness opportunities for all. At the YMCA of Greater Hartford and Wheeler YMCA, we are deeply committed to inclusivity and ensuring that our facilities meet the diverse needs of our community. These improvements exemplify how philanthropy creates meaningful impact, breaking down barriers and making wellness accessible to all. A heartfelt thank you to our donors for making this possible! Your generosity is changing lives and strengthening our community.

? Kicking Off the 2025 Annual Campaign with Energy and Purpose! ? Last Thursday, we officially launched the YMCA of Greater Hartford’s 2025 Annual Campaign, and the energy in the room was nothing short of inspiring. We reflected on past successes, shared powerful stories of impact, and set our sights on how we can do even more to support our community this year. Moments like these remind us why we’re so passionate about the YMCA’s mission: strengthening the foundation of our communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. A highlight of the evening was the incredible meal provided by La Cocina Culinary Arts Training Program from the Chrysalis Center, Inc. This initiative not only delivers amazing food but also equips individuals with hands-on training in the culinary arts and hospitality industry, using fresh produce from their Urban Roots gardens. It’s a powerful example of how partnerships can create meaningful change and support workforce development. The night ended on a high note with a lively game of Y-themed Family Feud, reinforcing the spirit of collaboration and fun that fuels our work. #LetsDoMore #GHYMCA #BelongtoSomethingGreater

?????????????????????? ?? ???????? ???? ????????????????????: ???????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????? As we close the chapter on 2024, we reflect with gratitude on the incredible generosity of our donors, supporters, and partners. Together, you have made a lasting impact on our mission to strengthen individuals, families, and communities across Greater Hartford. ???????????? ???????????????? ?????????????? Thanks to your unwavering support, ???? ???????????? ???????????? $??????,??????—98% of our $1M goal for the Annual Campaign. A special recognition goes to the following branches for exceeding 100% of their goals: ? ???????? ???????????? – 102% ? ???????????? ???????????? – 104% ? ???????? ???????????????? – 100% ? ???????????????????? ???????????? – 107% ? ???????? ?????????????????? – 120% ? ???????? – 109% ???????? ???? ???????? ???????? ???????????????????? Our 23rd annual tournament exceeded expectations, ?????????????? $??????,?????? ?????????? (??????% ???? ????????) ???? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???? ????????, where they developed confidence, made lasting friendships, and created lifelong memories. ?????????? ?????????????? ???????????????????????? With $??.???? ???? ?????????? ?????????????? secured, we can continue to expand critical programs and services, reaching even more people in need. ?????????????? ???????????? ???????????? Our planned-giving program experienced growth this year, with $??????,?????? ???? ?????? ?????????????? and $??????,?????? ???? ???????????????? ??????????, ensuring a legacy of impact for generations to come. ?????????? ?????????? ???????????? Our community’s generosity also shone through in major gifts, with $??????,?????? ????????????, providing essential support to drive our mission forward. These milestones reflect more than just numbers—they represent real lives impacted, opportunities created, and communities strengthened. Your contributions have empowered us to provide vital resources and experiences to those who need them most. ?????????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ????????????????????, belief in our mission, and commitment to making a difference. Together, we are creating a brighter future for all. #GHYMCA #BelongtoSomethingGreater

Exciting update on our diaper bank initiative! Our YMCA of Greater Hartford Leadership Lab class continues to make incredible strides in their mission to establish a sustainable diaper bank at the East Hartford YMCA! Today, we received 22 cases of diapers through an emergency order from the Diaper Bank of Connecticut. This vital support will help us provide much-needed resources to local families. We’re also inspired by the generosity of our YMCA Quality Team, who met today and each brought a pack of diapers to donate. Their contributions and support demonstrate the collective commitment of our staff to serving our community. A huge thank-you to the Leadership Lab class for their innovation and dedication to this project—and to everyone who has contributed to making this dream a reality. Together, we’re creating a stronger, more caring community! #LeadershipInAction #CommunityImpact #DiaperBank #GHYMCA #BelongToSomethingGreater

?? Belonging to Something Greater means empowering our staff to reach new heights, investing in their growth, and equipping them with the tools they need to thrive as leaders. ?? CONGRATULATIONS to the inaugural cohort of the YMCA of Greater Hartford Leadership Lab! Your dedication, innovation, and hard work over the past 12 weeks have been truly inspiring. You embody the future of leadership, and we can't wait to see the incredible impact you’ll continue to make in our communities. Here’s to building stronger leaders today for a brighter tomorrow! ??? #Leadership #Training #BelongToSomethingGreater #GHYMCA

???????????? ???????? ??????????????: ?????? ???????? ???? ?????????????? ???????????????? ???? ???????????? Today, our YMCA of Greater Hartford team came together to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. Across several sites, our staff rolled up their sleeves to spread kindness, lend a hand, and create connections. Here’s a look at what we’re accomplishing: Senior Leadership: Sorting and organizing a large food donation at the Chrysalis Center, Inc. in Hartford. Association Office, Glastonbury YMCA & Tri-Town YMCA: Helping clean, sort, and organize at the Friendship Soup Kitchen in East Hartford, preparing for tomorrow’s meal service. Association Offices: Assembling packets for the Hartford Marathon Foundation’s CLA Blue Back Mitten Run, benefiting the Susie Beris, MD Youth Running Program. Camp Woodstock: Organizing clothing donations at Bethlehem’s Closet in Southbridge, MA, sorting items by size and season. Hale YMCA: Volunteering at the Tommy Toy Fund in Dayville to help brighten the holidays for children. Indian Valley YMCA: Supporting furry friends at Pawsafe animal rescue. Farmington Valley YMCA: Prepping vegetables, making soup, decorating for Christmas, and preparing the pantry at WASTE NOT WANT NOT COMMUNITY KITCHEN INC in Granby. Wheeler YMCA: Hosting a food collection for the Plainville Community Food Pantry. It’s inspiring to see our teams in action, living out our mission and making a real difference. Thank you to everyone who is part of this day of service. How are you giving back this season? Share your story and help inspire others to get involved! #GHYMCA #BelongtoSomethingGreater #GivingBackTuesday #CommunityImpact

We're thrilled to celebrate Amanda Feliciano, our Director of Youth Impact, on her recent graduation from the Latinas in Leadership Institute! For the past six months, Amanda has invested her time and energy into this exceptional program, which empowers Latina leaders to expand their skills in leadership, communication, and community impact. Through her dedication, Amanda has developed new tools and insights that will amplify her already incredible work with youth at the YMCA of Greater Hartford. We couldn’t be prouder of Amanda and her commitment to inspiring and supporting the next generation. Congratulations, Amanda—your passion and dedication make a lasting impact! ?? #YMCAGreaterHartford #LatinasInLeadership #YouthImpact #GHYMCA #BelongtoSomethingGreater

We are so proud of our Vice President of Operations, Valencia Williams, who was recognized at the 9th Annual 100 Women of Color Gala and Awards?at the Bushnell this past Friday! This gala recognized 100 women of color from Stamford, CT to Springfield, MA for their impact in leadership, entrepreneurship, education, athletics, entertainment, healthcare, government, public & community service. We look forward to Valencia's continued leadership and success within the YMCA of Greater Hartford and our local communities. Congratulations Valencia Williams, M.S.!