MARCH-APRIL 2026 Why Y Scholars Love the New York Life Foundation The New York Life Foundation is a partner that has stood the test of time. What has shaped this over 30-year partnership are the people at New York Life. We are grateful for their time, commitment, and contributions—past and present—that continue to advance our shared mission to empower youth.In the late ‘90s, the New York Life Foundation was an early supporter of our afterschool and summer camp programs. Later, they funded computer centers as part of our afterschool program at a critical time for technological integration in classrooms. Our partnership has reflected a vision for the future, and an investment in the youth that will power it. Their transformative multi-year grant of $900,000 (2023-2025) has amplified the impact and scale of Y Scholars, a program that provides academic assistance, leadership training, and civic engagement opportunities to middle schoolers. With their support, we have enhanced our programming through expanded social emotional learning (SEL) support and resources. Last year, Y Scholars served nearly 900 students across 11 total program sites.The Y intentionally recruits students who are off-track or at risk of academic disengagement, and we empower them with the tools to successfully transition to high school on time. In fact, more than 70% of the youth we serve are economically disadvantaged, and over 60% of our program participants identify as BIPOC. This strategy has a measurable impact on both academic performance and engagement levels. Participants in Y Scholars average a collective GPA of 85%.Thanks in part to the New York Life Foundation’s support, we’re able to meet our teens with the appropriate support, at scale. We know how complex the NYC high school application process can be for students and families, especially for foreign-born, non-English speakers. Through tailored academic instruction, college exploration workshops, and high school application guidance, the program ensures students are better positioned for success in high school and beyond.This partnership began in 1998, when the Foundation granted its first gift of support to our annual gala, and we later honored New York Life with the 2024 Dodge Award at our Heroes of New York Gala—a powerful full circle moment. We look forward to continuing to highlight our partnership and the progress we make—together. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Awards $100,000 to Critical Y InitiativeThe YMCA of Greater New York is grateful for our corporate partner, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s generous investment in our Community Lifesavers Lifeguard Initiative. Their $100k grant will expand access to lifesaving swim instruction and lifeguard certification across Queens and North Brooklyn—equipping community members with critical water safety skills while building pathways to employment.“This investment will enable the YMCA to further address the ongoing lifeguard shortage head on and open doors to opportunities for New Yorkers of all ages who face barriers to becoming lifeguards,” Cedric Dew, Executive Director of the Jamaica YMCA said. As the city’s largest provider of swim safety programs, the Y is uniquely positioned to expand access at scale. This Initiative will reach communities where access to swim education has historically been limited while providing a reliable source of income for those seeking long-term, flexible employment.Anthem’s support also builds on the success of Jamaica Y’s Referee Training Program, a model for scalable, equity-driven workforce development. By applying a similar approach to lifeguard certification, this initiative addresses a critical public safety need while creating new opportunities for community members.“We at Anthem are proud to support this unique initiative, which provides outstanding opportunities for the city’s youth and helps to address the shortage of lifeguards, which can result in significant safety risks as well as reduced access to public pools and beaches,” said Victor Bell III, Regional Vice President, NY Medicaid Marketing. “The lack of investment and understaffing of public facilities disproportionately affects marginalized communities, who rely heavily on public pools for recreation and relief from the summer heat,” Victor added.In Queens, our branches are expected to serve 100 participants through October 31 this year. We are proud to partner with Anthem in our shared commitment to creating safer communities in the neighborhoods that need them most. NEW! Giving Made Easy with The Pulse Every branch has at least one friendly, well-loved member that you count on seeing at the Y, same time every week, for years and years. At the Prospect Park Y, that person is Bruce Chadwick, a member since 1996. Thirty years and two hip surgeries later, we sat down with Bruce, 81, to understand what keeps him coming back—and why he has donated monthly for five years. Funny thing is, he doesn’t live in Park Slope, though he’s certainly a part of the community. He sees the rush of kids headed to afterschool care, the teens dapping each other up before heading to Leaders Club; he sees Peter, Nick, and Frank the fireman, and so many other familiar faces. He might not know everyone’s names, but he knows what community feels like, and he chooses? Or he’s happy to provide consistent, meaningful support to his branch because that’s what the Y has brought to his life. As a longtime professor until March 2020, Bruce does what he can through his pension and social security. He gives $20 a month to his local Y. For New Yorkers, that’s roughly the cost of one takeout order. But over five years, Bruce’s generosity adds up--and he’s been doing it effortlessly. His gift is setup as an automatic monthly payment, like his other subscriptions, but with the added benefit of being tax-deductible. By giving monthly through The Pulse, Bruce provides steady, reliable support, strengthening our ability to plan for the long-term and while responding quickly to urgent needs.Our Pulse community donors, like Bruce, support their neighbors in many ways, providing healthy snacks and homework help for youth in afterschool, and SAT/ACT prep and application support for teens in college and career programs. Bruce’s Y story isn’t so unique, it’s familiar. You may see parts of your own experience at the Y reflected in his. What matters most is what comes next, and what you choose to do can make all the difference. Learn more and join The Pulse community today. Happy National Volunteer Month! This month, we’re celebrating the volunteers across our 24 branches who strengthen our communities. One shining example is retired special education teacher and longtime member Hazel Alexander. For years, the Y has been a fixture in her life for staying active and socializing. Four years ago, it became something more—a place where she found her purpose. Hazel is one of the many dedicated volunteers at Coney Island’s Y Community Market, our food pantry program. She was surprised to learn how many of her neighbors rely on the Y for food staples. Now, she shows up with both hands and heart, helping navigate language barriers and offering advice to people cooking with ingredients like dried beans for the first time. This is the type of magic that happens through volunteerism, and we are incredibly grateful for our volunteers that power our shared mission every day. Explore stories of our 2024 Volunteers of the Year. Stay tuned for our 2025 nominees coming this May! ICYMI: Leadership Update Call Exclusive If you weren’t able to attend our March 19 Leadership call, it’s not too late to catch up on the exciting program updates from President & CEO Sharon Greenberger, who was joined by impressive Y program alumna Olivia Lombardo. Olivia shared how the Y’s youth leadership and civic engagement programs helped shape her passion for advocacy. She previously served as Staten Island’s Youth Borough President in the Y’s Teens Take the City program, and today continues her work in public policy and international affairs through her studies and research in global strategy. Watch the recording here: 2026 Spring Leadership UpdateInterested in engagement opportunities like these? We’d love to hear from you. Fill out this short survey so we can better tailor opportunities to your interests. UPCOMING EVENTS Sunday, May 3TD Five Boro Bike TourTeam Y Champions is riding! Didn't sign up in time? You can still help us reach our goal—it’s a team effort. SUPPORT_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Tuesday, May 12Y Day of GivingIt's one of our biggest fundraising days of the year! You can help unlock a $25,000 match that benefits your local branch. GIVE_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Wednesday, June 3 Heroes of New York Gala | The MetThe Y's marquee event at the Met. For the fashionably late - After party starts at 8:30PM with DJ Sean Koons, open bar, and more for $75.RSVP_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Monday, July 27Golf & Gala | Westchester Country ClubJoin us at the Westchester Country Club for a day of sport, networking, and purpose in support of the Y.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.