JANUARY 2024

In this issue:

Team YMCA Takes the TCS NYC Marathon

After months of dedication and training, Team YMCA proudly crossed the finish line of the 2023 TCS NYC Marathon on November 5. Just as impressive? Team YMCA exceeded their goal, raising $67,600! That means that more New Yorkers can access the Y's free community programs and services that we provide, and that they need to thrive. A special thanks to our Team YMCA captain Matt Abruzzo for his training support, words of encouragement, and commitment to the Y’s mission.

Keep an eye out for details if you want to join Team YMCA in the 2024 TCS NYC Marathon on November 3. Are you a cyclist? Join us on May 5 at the TD 5 Boro Bike Tour! Applications are now open and space is limited – APPLY TODAY! Registration is open until April 19.

New! Teen Night Out

Introducing Teen Night Out (TNO) – our exciting new youth development program for NYC teens ages 13-18! Designed to give NYC teens a safe, engaging environment on Saturday evenings, participating branches open their doors just for teens so they can enjoy activities like swim and yoga classes, creative arts courses, career workshops, and financial literacy classes.

Created in response to alarming city and nationwide trends indicating a teen mental health crisis, TNO connects youth with trained advisors, addressing issues of anxiety, depression, and social isolation while fostering a sense of belonging–at no cost to our teens.

Temporarily offered at 10 pilot sites, the Y expects to serve over 1,500 teens by June 2024. We’re looking for additional community partners and donor support to expand the TNO program permanently. Interested in supporting TNO? Email donorrelations@ymcanyc.org.

Generosity Grows on Trees at the Harlem Y 

For over a decade, the Harlem Y has provided for its community during the holidays through their annual Angel Tree program. Thanks to our long-time partner MetLife, the Harlem Y fulfilled the wishes of 64 young people and their families this giving season including students from P.S. 175 and some of our newly immigrated neighbors.

“The Angel Tree program makes sure that Christmas is accessible, that we create access to a Christmas holiday for families that are new to this country.” - Chris Foster, Executive Director of Harlem Y

The Angel Tree program is a heartwarming opportunity to put a smile on a child’s face when they see their brand-new Batman Lego set or cuddly Squishmallow—all made possible by corporate partners, Y members, and community participants. Your support made this holiday season magical for Harlem families, thank you!

Morgan Stanley: 30 Years of Friendship

A valued partner of the Y for 30 years, Morgan Stanley champions our shared commitment to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve across the five boroughs. The generosity and commitment of their employees, who actively engage in various volunteer initiatives, have been instrumental in amplifying our outreach and impact in a number of meaningful ways.

Twice this year, Morgan Stanley hosted over 50 young people at their NYC office to learn about financial literacy and tour the trading floor, Additionally, a team of Morgan Stanley volunteers helped distribute over 12,000 pounds of food to 320 families at our Y Community Markets at the Coney Island and Flatbush Ys. In December, we partnered on our Harlem Y coat drive where asylum seekers from our New Americans Initiative and families from P.S. 175 were gifted warm coats, shoes, and other outerwear to bundle up this winter.

In the year ahead, we look forward to continued collaboration, shared successes, and positive impact—together, for all New Yorkers. Thank you, Morgan Stanley, for your unwavering support of NYC.

NEW! Teen Scholarship Program

Open to extraordinary NYC teens participating in Y initiatives, the Y Ambassadors scholarship program provides valuable career path and personal growth opportunities to a select cohort each spring. During the 6-month program, Y Ambassadors attend career development workshops and professional networking events.

Past Y Ambassadors attended career days at Morgan Stanley, got a behind-the-scenes tour of running the Macy’s at Herald Square, and were featured speakers at our Heroes of New York Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The application process for the Spring 2024 cohort is open now. Please email donorrelations@ymcanyc.org for details