JANUARY 2025

In this issue:

Chinatown YMCA Celebrates 50 Years of Impact

Legacy members pose at the Chinatown 50th Anniversary gala.

On December 3, more than 250 supporters gathered at the Angel Orensanz Foundation to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Chinatown YMCA—a celebration of five decades of unwavering service to the Lower Manhattan community.  

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our attendees and supporters, the event raised over $222,000. These funds will directly support financial aid and essential resources, ensuring individuals and families in our community have access to the life-changing programs and services offered by the Y.

The gala was an inspiring tribute to the remarkable contributions of the legacy and founding members of the Chinatown Y, whose vision and dedication laid the foundation for this vital community resource. We also honored distinguished community leaders whose efforts have advanced the mission of the Y, including Kaushal Challa, Chief Executive Officer of the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center; Sergeant Jeremy Lau of the NY/NJ Port Authority Police Department; UA3, a leading community non-profit; and Thomas Yu, Executive Director of Asian Americans for Equality.

This evening not only celebrated the Chinatown Y’s storied history but also set the stage for an exciting future. With your continued support, we are committed to expanding our reach and deepening our impact in the years to come. Thank you to those who joined us in this milestone celebration!

View photos from the event here. 

National Grid Foundation Fuels Young Futures in Y Rowe Scholars

Y Rowe Scholars outside of Capital Group for CDD 2024

The YMCA of Greater New York proudly recognizes the National Grid Foundation for its enduring commitment to empowering young scholars and strengthening communities. For nearly 20 years, the National Grid Foundation has partnered with us to support programs including the Rowe Scholars Program (formerly Y Scholars), helping students achieve their academic and professional dreams.

Our partnership started in 2007 with a $10,000 contribution for citywide support, and in 2016, the National Grid Foundation expanded its commitment with a $30,000 grant that supported hundreds of Rowe Scholars students across Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. The National Grid Foundation continues to support us in serving even more young lives, by providing annual support for Rowe Scholars. Last school year alone, this transformative program served over 900 students across all five boroughs, providing vital resources and opportunities to first-generation college students and economically disadvantaged youth.

Thanks to the National Grid Foundation’s consistent support, Rowe Scholars has delivered life-changing impact, achieving a remarkable 90% or higher on-time graduation rate for seniors over the past five years. Through a robust curriculum that includes social-emotional learning, financial literacy education, job readiness training, and college application guidance, we equip students with the skills and tools to thrive academically, emotionally, and professionally—and we do it together.  

Thank you, National Grid Foundation, for your partnership in opening doors to opportunity for New York City’s youth. 

2024 Wrap-up: Your Impact in Numbers

2024 Wrap-up: Your Impact in Numbers

This year, you helped us bring life-changing programs and opportunities to our neighbors across the five boroughs. Here’s what we accomplished and what your support made possible:

  • 150 young advocates presented their policy proposals at New York City Hall to champion causes like safer subways, resources for asylum seekers, and improving sex education in public schools through Teens Take the City.
  • 15 Y Rowe Scholars high school graduates received $70k in scholarships, as they entered their first semester of college this past fall, many as first-generation students.
  • $100,000 raised by Team Y Champions cyclists and marathoners to provide financial assistance to kids in summer camp, older active adults, and people of all ages learning to swim.
  • 750 New Yorkers experiencing homelessness empowered through financial counseling to provide pathways to long-term stability through Transitional Housing at the Jamaica Y, thanks to $500k generously granted by the Citi Foundation.
  • 250 Transitional Housing residents on journeys to securing employment in 2025 through job training workshops and the Y’s connections to employers.  
  • $250k granted to provide critical resources to hundreds of immigrants through the New Americans Initiative, such as workforce training, language and technology classes, and case management services, thanks to the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.
  • $250k granted to our Y Community Schools, supporting improved attendance rates, free food distributions, and additional academic support for hundreds of public-school students, thanks to the MacMillan Family Foundation.

Ready for more in 2025? Join us for a race, attend one of our signature events, or get more involved with your local Y. Whatever you choose, we’re happy you’re here.

Learn more about the free and low-cost community programs that your generosity supports.