MAY 2025In this issue:Bill Rueckert & the Foundation That Helped Build the Y—and New York CityChampions Among Us: Celebrating Your ImpactWe Rode for the Cause. You Made it Count.Legacies Start Here: The Heritage Society LuncheonY Day of Giving Update: We Did It!Upcoming Events Bill Rueckert & the Foundation That Helped Build the Y—and New York City When it comes to commitment to community, few names carry a legacy quite like Bill Rueckert’s.A direct descendant of William E. Dodge Jr., one of the YMCA of Greater New York’s founders, Bill has continued his family’s 175-year tradition of philanthropy and civic leadership with humility, determination, and a deep belief in New York City’s promise.As the head of the Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation, established by his great-grandfather in 1917, Bill has championed both long-standing institutions and new, innovative organizations across the city. You can see his impact with some of the city’s most iconic institutions: the Y, Teachers College, International House, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and the New York Botanical Garden. Bill stepped into the role of Foundation president in December 2000. Just months later, in the wake of the September 11th attacks, the Dodge Foundation provided emergency grants to support victims, their families, and first responders—continuing a family tradition of stepping forward in times of great need. In the years that followed, Bill deepened the Foundation’s commitment to the city’s recovery and resilience by focusing on institutions that strengthen New York City's social fabric. A landmark $2 million grant to the YMCA of Greater New York helped renovate and expand all 24 branches—ensuring that neighborhoods across the city had welcoming, well-resourced spaces where New Yorkers could regain routine, community, and strength.Bill’s impact on the Y runs deep—from investing in youth development programs, to helping lead the creation of branches like the Dodge Y in 2005 and more recently, the Northeast Bronx and La Central Ys. These new branches provide critical services – from after-school tutoring and teen programming to family support and recreational facilities – in communities that previously lacked access. He also chairs the board of the Y Retirement Fund, helping to secure the futures of Y employees and ensuring that those who serve our communities can one day retire with dignity.In recognition of his unwavering dedication and multi-generational legacy of service, we are proud to honor Bill Rueckert at the 2025 Heroes of New York Gala with the YMCA’s highest national honor, the Order of the Red Triangle—an award his great-grandfather first received over a century ago.Bill’s story is a powerful reminder that legacies aren’t just inherited—they’re built every day through action, generosity, and love for one’s community. Champions Among Us: Celebrating Your Impact On May 14, we hosted our Y Champions Celebration, an evening dedicated to recognizing our donors and volunteers who fuel our mission and believe in the power of community—and put that belief to work.At the heart of the event were our Volunteers of the Year, whose commitment and compassion inspire us all. Their selfless contributions allow the Y to serve the unique needs of our communities with urgency, care, and consistency across our 24 branches. These individuals embody the spirit of service that lies at the core of our organization.Throughout the evening, we highlighted our Faces of Impact—individuals whose lives have been transformed by the Y’s community programs and services, made possible by your generosity. We were especially moved to hear from one of our Faces of Impact, Tahjay Brown, from the Jamaica YMCA, who shared his experience gaining stability and employment through our Transitional Housing program after leaving his home country in search for safety and a better life. Testimonies like Tahjay’s are powerful reminders of the importance and urgency in taking care of our communities. It is through your support that we can continue to strengthen and empower New Yorkers across the five boroughs. To hear more from our Faces of Impact, watch here. View the event gallery here. We Rode for the Cause. You Made it Count. Congratulations to our Team Y Champions charity riders, who conquered 40 miles at this year’s TD Five Boro Bike Tour on Sunday, May 4! Together, we raised $13,500—every dollar supporting our neighbors who rely on the Y’s free programs and services, including afterschool care, college and career access programs, food pantries, and so much more. Riders hailed from the West Side, Dodge, and Prospect Park Ys, led by our captain, Chris Geraci (who sits on our Development and Golf & Gala Committees—go Chris!).We are so grateful to our riders and the generous community of donors who turn miles into meaningful opportunities to show up for our communities. To learn more about Team Y Champions, visit our team page. Legacies Start Here: The Heritage Society Luncheon On Wednesday, April 23, the Y gathered with close friends and donors to celebrate the Heritage Society—the Y’s giving society for donors who have committed the Y into their estate plans. The Heritage Society is more than a recognition of planned giving; it is a testament to trust. We celebrate donors who look ahead—beyond today’s needs—and make the bold and optimistic decision to invest in tomorrow.Sharon Greenberger, the Y’s President and CEO, shared updates on the Y in the context of the current moment: “New York City faces real challenges—affordability, educational gaps, youth disconnection, social isolation and public health disparities. These are not small problems, but the Y was never built for small solutions. We were built to respond—to innovate, to scale, to include and to inspire. And thanks to you, we continue on this path with strength. Legacy giving confirms that together, we can meet the unknowns of tomorrow with certainty and that the Y remains the place where all New Yorkers in the future can find their purpose, their people and their place.”Sharon Greenberger was joined by our keynote speaker, Dr. Gerard Bryant, the Director of the Counseling Services Center at John Jay College, who also serves as the Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) for the college’s Department of Athletics. A decades-long board member of the McBurney Y, Dr. Bryant grew up attending afterschool programs at the branch. In his remarks, Dr. Bryant emphasized the power of giving back, how the Y is a game-changer, and the importance of gratitude. He credited the Y for shaping him personally and professionally, praised its long-standing leadership in public health and social justice. Dr. Bryant expressed his gratitude for the gifts and blessings in his life, including the many friendships made at the Y. He said, “[the Y is where] multiple generations can peacefully co-exist, no matter politics, religion, or ethnicity. It’s a safe haven, a veritable United Nations.” Dr. Bryant spoke about the importance of giving to ensure future generations can thrive at the Y. We were also grateful to have been joined by Samir Ghimire, a former Y Rowe Scholar and current junior in the McCauley Honors program at John Jay College who shared his Y story. Samir began attending the Y’s summer camp at age 9 and continued with Y programs such as Teens Take the City, Leaders Club and Rowe Scholars. He remains connected to the Y today, as an intern in our Marketing and Communications department and as a Y Afterschool counselor at the Flushing Y.To learn more about Heritage Society and legacy giving, visit our website or contact Jessica Raha at jraha@ymncanyc.org. Y Day of Giving Update: We Did It! Every year, we celebrate our birthday not just to commemorate our years in service to New Yorkers, but to come together to celebrate the collective impact we create right here in our communities.This Y Day of Giving (5/13), we are excited to share that together, we raised over $150,000 and unlocked a $50,000 matching gift together! Every dollar raised will go directly back into your neighborhoods, sustaining the free and essential community programs and services that so many fellow New Yorkers rely on. Because of your support, working parents have access to safe, reliable childcare, teens are applying to colleges with Y mentors by their side, and families are eating nutritious meals with groceries from our food pantries.Thank you for being an essential part of our Y community. Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier, and more connected New York City. UPCOMING EVENTSROCKAWAY 10TH ANNIVERSARY | May 29Join us in celebrating 10 years of the Rockaway Y with dinner, drinks, and entertainment. RSVP here.NEBX STEPS FOR CHANGE 5K | June 7 Join us in championing anti-gun violence and safer streets in our community! The Northeast Bronx Y is having a 5k walk/run and educational resources fair. Register here. LA CENTRAL 3RD ANNUAL TRIATHLON | June 22 Swim, bike, and run for your community! The further you go, the higher you’ll place. T-shirts, swim caps, and prizes offered. Register here. CASTLE HILL SUNSET CRUISE | June 26Enjoy beautiful views, dinner, dancing, and entertainment while making a difference in the lives of Bronx families. RSVP here.