Elected officials joined YWCA Greenwich leadership and project team for the groundbreaking of the “Building for Our Future” project, a major renovation and 15,000+ sq ft addition to the 50-year-old building at 259 East Putnam Ave.
Mary Lee Kiernan said the $20 million project will be transformational.
The event started with distribution of hard hats and ended with a toast and shovels in the ground.
Preparing for a toast at the groundbreaking of the major renovation and 15,000 sq ft addition to the YWCA Greenwich on East Putnam Avenue. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
YWCA Greenwich President and CEO Mary Lee Kiernan and Board of Directors Chair Stephanie Kruse lead a toast during YWCA Greenwich “Building for our Future” groundbreaking celebration. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
US Congressman Jim Himes smiles beside State Rep Hector Arzeno (D-151), Governor Ned Lamont, and Jane Bakin, immediate past chair YWCA Greenwich board of directors, as they prepare for a toast during YWCA Greenwich “Building for our Future” groundbreaking celebration. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
“In 2025, we are bursting at the seams,” Kiernan said, adding that while every existing inch of the facility was being maximized, there were adjacency problems, security challenges, an undersized pool deck, too small counseling offices and lack of private spaces for children and adults in the Harmony Project.
Redesigning and relocating the Harmony Project will make it possible to align other YWCA spaces so that, for example, preschool classrooms will all be on the same floor.
During the construction project the building will remain open seven days a week.
Governor Ned Lamont shared remarks during the YWCA Greenwich “Building for our Future” groundbreaking celebration. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Attendees prepare for a toast during YWCA Greenwich “Building for our Future” groundbreaking celebration. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
US Congressman Jim Himes from CT’s 4th district said he was especially excited about the project given the number of times he had dropped his children off at the YWCA for swim team, daycare and activities when they were younger.
“I know how incredibly powerful this is for the community, offering those programs, and the less heralded – offering safety to victims of domestic violence who don’t necessarily have alternatives to the remarkable help they can get there.”
Himes credited US Senators for Connecticut, Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, for the “heavy lifting” on federal funding, but noted most of the funding would come from philanthropic contributions.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont talked to children during the YWCA Greenwich “Building for our Future” groundbreaking celebration. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
US Congressman for Connecticut’s 4th District Jim Himes shared remarks during the YWCA Greenwich “Building for our Future” groundbreaking celebration. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
State Rep Hector Arzeno (D-151) and State Rep Steve Meskers (D-150) at the YWCA Greenwich “Building for our Future” groundbreaking celebration. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
State Rep Hector Arzeno (D-151) introduced the Governor.
“Under Governor Lamont’s administration we have had six budget surpluses in a row, passed without tax increases,” he said. “We have tax deductions for our seniors and most vulnerable, a record rainy day fund and the largest ever investment for our children under Governor Lamont and in our non-profits.”
“However, what I personally value the most about Governor Lamont is his door is always open to the 187 legislators in Hartford. He listens. He’s frank. He’s direct. He’s honest. He makes mistakes, but he acknowledges them. And most of all, he says in public what he thinks in private. Leadership doesn’t come with the position; leadership is a choice.”
The Governor said that there were “10 asks for every deal we can do.”
“For the YWCA is the heart and soul of the Greenwich community. That’s what we have to remind people every day. We need you more than ever right now,” he said.
“You’re pushing on an open door,” he added. “I know what you’re doing here and in terms of domestic abuse and support for people, and the extra security you need.”
Lamont talked about the value of community, especially coming out of Covid.
“I thought people had to do a lot of catching up for learning loss, and then you realize a lot of these young folks just needed a shoulder to lean on, and maybe be part of a swim team or part of a team – a part of something bigger than themselves,” the Governor said.
“And now, three or four years later, kids are living on their iPhones and get a little lost. You have some real loneliness there. It reminds me of the importance of community every day. You have to work at it – mom and dad you have to get your kids here and make sure they’re a part of something bigger than themselves. That’s what the YWCA is all about.”
State Rep Hector Arzeno (D-151), YWCA Greenwich CEO Mary Lee Kiernan, US Congressman for CT’s 4th district, Governor Ned Lamont, with children at the YWCA Greenwich “Building for our Future” groundbreaking celebration. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Erik Kaeyer AIA, design principal and vice president of KG+D Architects, described the YWCA as the cornerstone of the community, where advocacy meets action, and hope is delivered.
“One of our most important priorities is ensuring the privacy and dignity of our Harmony project clients who deserve a place that honors their courage and meets their needs with care and respect,” Kaeyer said. “Their new 5,000 sq ft home and rooftop garden will be light filled, intentionally designed to heal and uplift.”
Thomas J. Walsh III, who is executive vice president for A.P. Construction Company, a division of Ashforth Company, said he worked with Mr. Kaeyer from KG&D on the recently completed renovation and addition of the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich.
“Hopefully in 12 months or so we’ll all be back here to celebrate the completion,” Walsh said.
Chair of the YWCA Greenwich board of directors Stephanie Kruse said the $750,000 state bond award approved in August was not only an investment in the building, but an investment in securing the facility for children, families and individuals.
“These months will allow us to implement critical security upgrades that ensure our facility remains safe, secure and operational under all conditions,” Kruse added.
In addition to free domestic violence and sexual violence services, the YWCA Greenwich provides preschool, daycare and after school care, summer camps, sports for all ages and a nationally ranked aquatics program.
The YWCA Greenwich is located at 259 East Putnam Ave.
Tel: 203-869-6501
24/7 Domestic Violence Hotline: 203-622-0003
Board members Tracy Guarnera and Miriam Kreuzer with Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan and Rachel Khanna at the YWCA Greenwich “Building for our Future” groundbreaking celebration. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Greenwich Police Chief Jim Heavey and Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo attended the YWCA Greenwich “Building for our Future” groundbreaking celebration. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Rendering on display of what the YWCA Greenwich will look like when transformed. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
YWCA Greenwich president and CEO Mary Lee Kiernan shared remarks during the YWCA Greenwich “Building for our Future” groundbreaking celebration. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Attendees donned hard hats during the YWCA Greenwich “Building for our Future” groundbreaking celebration. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Michele Cronin, AICP, from Fogerty Cohen Russo & Nemiroff, with Dave Ginter of Redniss & Mead and Mark Kammerer from A.P. Construction at the YWCA Greenwich “Building for our Future” groundbreaking celebration. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
“Building For Our Future” Campaign Committee co-chairs Jill Plancher and Natalie Stein with Erik A. Kaeyer AIA design principal and vice president of KG+D Architects, and Thomas J. Walsh III, who is executive vice president for A.P. Construction Company, a division of Ashforth Company at the YWCA Greenwich “Building for our Future” groundbreaking celebration. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Thomas J. Walsh III executive vice president at A.P. Construction Company shared remarks during the YWCA Greenwich “Building for our Future” groundbreaking celebration. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Immediate past chair of the YWCA Greenwich board of directors Jane Batkin shared remarks during the “Building for our Future” groundbreaking celebration. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Board members Miriam Kreuzer and Tracy Guarnera at the YWCA Greenwich “Building for our Future” groundbreaking celebration. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
State Rep Hector Arzeno (D-151) speaks during the YWCA Greenwich “Building for our Future” groundbreaking celebration. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
YWCA Greenwich president and CEO Mary Lee Kiernan shared remarks during the YWCA Greenwich “Building for our Future” groundbreaking celebration. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
State Rep Hector Arzeno (D-151) greets Governor Ned Lamont during the YWCA Greenwich’s groundbreaking ceremony. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
State Rep Hector Arzeno pass a glass for a toast to Erik Kaeyer AIA from KG+D Architects and Thomas J Walsh III from A.P. Construction Company during the YWCA Greenwich’s groundbreaking ceremony. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
The existing YWCA Greenwich building, constructed in the late 1960s, with backhoe at the ready for a major renovation and a 15,000+ square foot addition during the YWCA Greenwich’s groundbreaking ceremony. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Wheelbarrow full of shovels beside a mound of dirt at the ready during the YWCA Greenwich’s groundbreaking ceremony. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Construction equipment and banner for A.P. Construction company at YWCA Greenwich. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Rendering of how YWCA Greenwich will look after the renovation and expansion on display during the YWCA Greenwich’s groundbreaking ceremony. Sept 19, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager