Congratulations 2024 Volunteers of the Year!
We are honored and excited to share this year's incredible group of celebrated volunteers. These Y Champions consistently go above and beyond to strengthen their local communities across the five boroughs. If you see them at your Y, make sure to give them a cheer.
Bedford-Stuyvesant Y
Louis Wiggs
Every year since Covid, Lu makes himself and the Quincy Street Community Garden available for Bedford Stuyvesant Y summer campers to experience the green outdoors and nature in our community. The kids love looking and learning about new plants, as well as feeding the chickens.
Xiomara Love
When she is not at swim team practice, Xiomara is helping the aquatics staff with swim classes. She would get materials that the teaches need as well as making the children feel comfortable in the water to when they are in class.
Broadway Y
William B. Miller
Bill volunteers with the Broadway Y's pickleball program and thanks to his efforts, has brought many new players to the sport.
Chase Olsen
Chase is part of the Broadway Y's Rowe Scholars college readiness and Leaders Club programs. He serves as a leader, helping facilitate community service projects for his peers.
Castle Hill Y
Pedro Barry
Pedro is the Chair of the Castle Hill YMCA Board of Managers. He is an enthusiastic leader and is dedicated to the advancement of the Y and its community.
Mohammed Siam
Mohammed is a leader in the Castle Hill Y's youth programming. He participates in the Y Rowe Scholars college readiness program, the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), and has attended multiple career events and trips through youth programming.
Chinatown Y
Anthony Yeung
Anthony has provided the Chinatown Y with six years of enthusiastic service in volunteering with the Two Bridges Cornerstone Program and at the branch's Houston St. Center. He has participated in food distribution, special community events, and also teaches co-ed basketball to middle-school and high-school youth from the Lower East Side and Chinatown community.
Jacky Li
Jacky has been a Teen Center participant and has actively volunteered in the Chinatown Y's Food Distribution events, open houses and special community events. Jacky, grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, is a Freshman at LAB School, an avid basketball player, and aspires to work in engineering.
Coney Island Y
Mary Rodriguez
Mary is an enthusiastic volunteer for the Coney Island Y, volunteering at the Y Community Markets, and at all of the branch's special events, including Healthy Kids Day, and the Turkey and Holiday Toy Giveaways.
Destiny Clarke
Destiny is an intern for the Coney Island Y's teen programs. She is instrumental in supporting with data entry and all tasks that help the teen programs and those who participate in them so that they can thrive.
Cross Island Y
Lori Joseph
Lori supports the Cross Island Y's Early Childhood program. She is a wonderful volunteer, consistently assisting with the swim program and special events.
Nitika Panwar
Nitika volunteered with the afterschool program at the Cross Island Y, providing support to the instructors through material preparation and planning. Through her Y service, Nitika was inducted into her school's National Honor Society.
Dodge Y
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Michelle Brindley & Amy Rowland
Michelle and Amy serve on the Dodge Y's Board of Managers. They consistently provide incredible leadership to the branch's Annual Fundraising Event, which raised over $300k in the last two years.
Angel Rodriguez
Angel is a teen participant in the Dodge Y's Leaders Club, Y Rowe Scholars college readiness program, Saturday Night Lights, and Teen Night Out. He is also an enthusiastic volunteer assistant coach for Dodge's Youth Sports programs.
Flatbush Y
Nate Brown
Nate has been a great advocate for the Flatbush YMCA. He is an active volunteer in our teen programs and has been involved in our fundraising committee. He is invested in the professional development of our teens and supports the events/programs.
Christopher Huggins-Brown
Christopher is a leader in the Flatbush Y's teen programs. He is an active participant in Teens Take the City, Leaders Club, Teen Night Out, and he represents Flatbush as the Borough President for the Association-wide Teens Take the City program. He has performed his poetry at EDI events and at the Y's Black History Teen Open Mic Celebration.
Flushing Y
Elizabeth Kay
Elizabeth Kay has been contributing her talents on the Flushing Y Board for over 15 years, where she serves on the Program & Membership committee and volunteers countless hours, along with her son at various Y events. Elizabeth spearheads the international internship program that offers students the opportunity to travel from China to NYC to develop interpersonal skills and gain an understanding of nonprofit operations through exposure to programs at the Flushing and Jamaica Ys.
Gisselle Quezada
Gisselle has been an active program participant at the Flushing Y since the 1st grade as part of the P.S. 22 Afterschool program. She is currently an 8th grade student and a Beacon participant at JHS 194, and participates in Y Afterschool, Leaders Club, and Teens Take the City. She has volunteered at various events, such as Brunch with Santa, MLK Day of Service, and City Meals on Wheels food deliveries. Gisselle is a member of the JHS 194 bocce and volleyball team.
Greenpoint Y
La-Asia Hundley
For over a decade, La-Asia has served as the Con Edison representative on Greenpoint Y's Board of Managers. She has offered invaluable contributions as a member of the Board and as a participant in the Finance and Fund Development committees. La-Asia has taken on the role of co-emcee at the annual Spirit of Community event. Her distinct perspective and insightful input have greatly enriched the work of the Greenpoint Y.
Christopher Lenard
Chris is a distinguished board member at the Greenpoint Y and engaged in the Membership and Program Committee. His commitment to community, fostering business growth, cultivating strategic partnerships, enhancing value-added initiatives, and optimizing philanthropic investments has greatly benefited the board and Y. Chris has played a central role as co-emcee of the signature annual fundraiser, instrumental in securing vital funds for youth programs. Beyond the Y, Chris and his wife, Monika, cherish their role as parents to four wonderful children.
Harlem Y
Jordan Green
Jordan is a leader on the BAI steering committee, where he contributes his talents and insights to help make the initiative as impactful as possible. He is a member and mentor the Harlem Y, where he continues to make an impact on the branch community and the youth who are served through the programming.
Awa Diarrassouba
Awa is a hard-working student who is selfless and always willing to go above and beyond to help others. Her passion for volunteering is a great inspiration for peers. Her positive attitude makes her a joy to be around. She is an example of what is means to make a difference in your community.
Jamaica Y
Prince Felix
Mr. Felix is an active member of the Jamaica Y's Board of Managers. He serves as the Chair of the Board's Fund Development Committee and is a member of the Finance Committee. We are grateful for his service and leadership.
Takayla Forde
Takayla has been part of Y Scholars, Leaders Club, and Teens Take the City programs at the Jamaica Y for the past two years. She has participated in numerous service learning and community activities, including the Food Drive, Toy Drive, MLK Service Learning and Clothing Drive, and Breakfast with Santa family event. Takayla is always lending a helping hand with preparations of any Y event and/or activities.
La Central Y
Erin O'Brien
Erin is a generous volunteer with La Central's Teen Programs, where she actively engages the young members, assisting them with resume-building and interview skills, and imparting valuable knowledge to enhance their professional development. She has generously volunteered her time at various events, including member holiday events and community produce giveaways, and continues to make a positive difference in the experiences of the members and the broader community.
Long Island City Y
Justin Martinez
Justin serves on the Long Island City Y's Board of Managers. He has been an advocate for the Y, helping in all of the ways that he can, including serving on the AO's Golf and Gala Committee, as well as running for the branch in last year's TSC NYC Marathon and again this coming November with Team Y Champions.
Ang Kunjang Sherpa
Ang is a huge asset to the Long Island City Y's Aquatics Department, assisting with attendance during swim lessons, organizing supplies, assisting with handing out supplies for lessons, clean pool deck supplies and filing.
McBurney Y
Jessica Bindman
Jessica is the McBurney Y's Board Chair, where she leads the fundraising efforts and builds enthusiam around the Y's mission. She is a terrific advocate for the Y.
North Brooklyn Y
Kennia Smith
Kennia is a member of the North Brooklyn Y who volunteers her time twice a month with the Y Community Market food distribution program. She's deeply passionate and committed to giving back to the individuals in the North Brooklyn community.
Litzi Alvarez-Salas
Litzi has participated in the North Brooklyn Y's Teens Take the City and Leaders Club programs for the last two years. It was not easy for her joining these programs only knowing one language. However, she put her heart and mind into learning English in less than a year. Litzi spoke at the Borough Hall Teens Take the City event last year and will do so again this year. She is committed to volunteer work, including helping the younger students with homework and participating in the service-learning events for MLK Day.
Northeast Bronx Y
Alberto Filpo
Alberto volunteered in the aquatics departments for four months while participating in the Northeast Bronx Y's Free Y Community Lifeguard certification course. While volunteering, he helped Aquatics Instructors check-in members during their swim lessons, and cleaned the pool decks to ensure that the deck remained clean and safe for members.
Prospect Park Y & Park Slope Armory Y
Gina Hughes
Gina is the Board Chair for the Prospect Park Y & Park Slope Armory Y Board of Managers. A long-time Y member and proud cyclist, Gina is remarkable advocate for the Y. Her outstanding leadership and volunteer efforts have had an incredible impact on Brooklyn families. In 2024, you'll spot Gina riding with Team Y Champions in the TD Five Boro Bike Tour!
Ridgewood Y
Zachariah Hennessey
Since 2017, Zach has been a steadfast presence on the Ridgewood Y’s Board of Managers. An advisor on the Finance Committee and Chair of the Fund Development Committee, Zach has been instrumental in leading the Ridgewood Y's fundraising efforts. Additionally, his local advocacy work continues to connect the community with crucial services and resources. We appreciate and thank Zach for his efforts.
Asher Jablons
Asher is an enthusiastic participant of the Ridgewood Y's Afterschool and Day Camp programs.
Rockaway Y
James Jeter
James is affectionately known as the Rockaway Y’s (unofficial) “Pickleball commissioner”. You'll find James at the Y six days a week, organizing pickleball events and welcoming newcomers with open arms. His fellow pickleball players agree - he is a joyful and key member of the Y family.
South Shore Y
Robert Myers
Rob is a dedicated member of the South Shore Y's Board of Managers where he serves as an advisor on the Finance Committee.
Marola Metyas
Marola was an integral part of the Y Summer Day Camp support team in 2023, helping to give our campers an incredible summer.
Vanderbilt Y
Richard Wasserman
Serving on the Vanderbilt Y's Board of Manager for over a decade, Richard consistently demonstrates unwavering dedication to the mission of vision of the Y. As Board Chair, his leadership exemplifies a deep commitment and passion for connecting to the community through collaboration, advocacy, and genuine care. At the Vanderbilt Y, Richard's impact is felt far and wide by all who spend time with him.
Kevin Gonzalez
A dedicated participant of the Y's ROWE Scholars, Work-Readiness, and SYEP programs, Kevin consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to giving back to his community. This past MLK Day of Service, Kevin volunteered, distributing care packages to the community. He was also received the honor of Student of the Year. His dedication to community service has been an inspiration to his peers.
West Side Y
Cindy Murray
Since 2019, Cindy has been a dedicated member of the West Side Y Board of Managers. Chair of the Fund Development Committee, Cindy has been an exemplary leader of the Y's fundraising initiatives. Recently, Cindy chaired the Backpack Drive Committee, securing over 400 backpacks for the West Side Y's off-site Afterschool programs.
Rosmarie Pena
Rose is a true "Y baby"! She has been a tremendous support for many of the West Side Y's events, including Healthy Kids Day, Boo Fest, Book Fairs, Y open houses, and association-wide aquatics drills. She shows up to every event with a enthusiastic smile, ready to go above and beyond.
Y Counseling Service
Kevin Saunders
Kevin is a steadfast advocate for the Y and the work of the Counseling Service. He has consistently volunteered with the Branch, sharing his experiences, and giving back to the Y, our programs, and the communities that have given to him throughout his journey.
Frank Martarella
Frank is a long-time dedicated member of the Counseling Service's Board of Managers who continues to give of his time, talents and resources. He is an advocate for the Y and a champion of the Counseling Service.
Y Association Office
Lawrence Bremer
A Y advocate for more than a decade, Larry's dedication and passion for the Y's mission is evident in all that he does. As a member of the Development Committee and Co-Chair of the Y's Golf & Gala event, Larry leads extraordinary annual fundraising efforts to support our citywide youth programs.
Yaricuyay Moran
Yaricuyay is a shining example of selflessness and community spirit. From distributing turkeys to residents of Flatbush during the Alumn-Y Thanksgiving Give Back, to donating coats for Flatbush Y's coat drive, she consistently shows her dedication to helping others. Yaricuyay's active participation in Alumn-Y events and her invaluable contributions to the Alumn-Y board highlight her commitment to making a positive impact in her community. Her generosity and leadership qualities make her a standout candidate for this prestigious recognition. We thank Yaricuyay for all she does.