JULY 2026 Y Teens Announce Their Next Big Move In June, 85 students gathered at John Jay College to announce their colleges destinations to a room filled with peers, supporters, and Y staff from all five boroughs. College Decision Day is an annual event that celebrates graduating Rowe Scholars as they prepare for the next chapter of their educational journey. Thanks to our donors, our premier college and career access program is offered at no cost to New York City teens. Last year, 98% of Rowe Scholars graduated from high school (compared to a citywide average of 81%), and 85% of Rowe Scholars matriculated into college. Nearly $75,000 in scholarships were awarded, helping students pursue their dreams and take the next step toward a bright future. These scholarships were made possible through the generosity of our partners: The Pinkerton Foundation, Delta Airlines, National Grid Foundation, Capital One, Morgan Stanley, Colgate-Palmolive, and Macy's. But that’s not all—AlumnY, an expansion of Rowe Scholars, means that our support continues into their critical first year of college. Thank you for investing in the next generation of leaders, and congratulations class of 2026! Learn more about the Rowe Scholars program.READ ON WEB The Student Becomes the Teacher Riky’s story begins as many Y teens’ so often do. He was looking for academic support at the Y and found more than he could have imagined: a foundation, a community, and a path to financial stability.Riky found the Y at a crucial time during his sophomore year. He was struggling in math, his grades were slipping, and his Regents exams were coming up. We operate our free teen programs at our branches and in schools, and in Riky’s case, he’s grateful we could meet him where he was at. As part of the Rowe Scholars program, we offer financial literacy courses that teach students how to budget, save, and manage their money responsibly—an essential skill that is becoming increasingly advocated for in public school curriculums. For Riky who, “comes from a family who has struggled to make it in the U.S. and have not gone to college,” these resources, and his Y scholarship, provide a viable path to financial stability. So what’s next for Riky? He’s headed to New York City College of Technology in the fall, with the dream of becoming a teacher. He credits his mentors at the Y for inspiring him to pass it on—guidance, motivation, and direction. And he’s already gotten started, teaching elementary students about the importance of creative expression during the Y’s MLK Day of Service. Donor support makes stories like Riky’s possible, and it’s your generosity that fuels the next generation of educators and community leaders. Next Monday, July 27, we are excited to welcome Riky as a guest speaker at our fifth annual Golf & Gala at the Westchester Country Club. UPCOMING EVENTSNational Nonprofit DayAugust 17Support your local Y community by inspiring generosity in others with your Y story. Help us get the word out that the Y is more than a gym - it's NYC's leading community health and well-being nonprofit!GET INVOLVED___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Jamaica Y's Charity Golf Tournament & Pickleball Open PlayAugust 24Enjoy a day among business and community leaders, while supporting our Jamaica Y neighbors. Featuring a silent auction, raffle, and a hole-in-one contest that could win you a car.RSVP___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Northeast Bronx Y's 5th AnniversarySeptember 9Let's celebrate and honor the people, partnerships, and purpose that have shaped the last 5 years of impact in the Northeast Bronx community.RSVP___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Women's Leadership Luncheon October 29Join us for an inspiring afternoon with Belle Burden, the New York Times Best Selling Author of Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage. RSVP Thank You For Being Here! The YMCA of Greater New York is New York City's leading nonprofit individual and community health and well-being organization. We're here for all New Yorkers - to empower youth, improve health, and strengthen community.