As the year comes to a close, the YMCA of Greenwich is inviting neighbors to support a mission that reaches far beyond fitness. While members’ dues help operate the facility — keeping the lights on, maintaining equipment, and supporting day-to-day wellness programs — it’s donations that make the Y’s charitable work possible. Those contributions open doors for children, families, and adults who rely on the Y for life-changing programs, financial assistance, and a community where everyone belongs.
This year-end giving season, the Y is highlighting the real stories behind its mission and the measurable impact made possible by donors.
The Summer That Changed Everything
For many families, affording summer camp is out of reach. But donor support ensures that every child, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances, can still experience the joy, growth, and learning that camp provides.
“Thanks to the YMCA’s financial assistance program, my daughter was able to attend summer camp, an experience we never thought would be possible,” shared Vicki Francis, whose daughter received a scholarship this past summer. “Her confidence, friendships, and language skills flourished. We are so grateful for the support that gave my daughter a summer she still talks about.”
Stories like Vicki’s represent a larger reality: 40% of all camp families at the YMCA of Greenwich receive summer camp scholarships, giving children access to safe, enriching summer care while easing a significant burden on working parents.
And camp is just one example. In total, the Y is projected to award more than $592,000 in financial assistance in 2025, a 30% increase from last year. Donor dollars make that possible.
A Community of Healing and Strength
When Vanessa Trutt was diagnosed with cancer, she found herself looking not only for exercise during treatment—but for hope.
“LIVESTRONG not only helped me stay physically strong throughout my treatment but also surrounded me with people who truly understood what it feels like to receive a life-changing diagnosis,” Vanessa said. “What began as a way to stay strong during treatment became so much more—a source of healing, friendship, and hope.”
Programs like LIVESTRONG, Walk With Ease, and Parkinson’s Body & Mind are offered completely free of charge to participants, thanks entirely to donations. Last year alone, more than 100 adults participated in the Y’s chronic disease prevention programs, finding community, confidence, and support during some of the hardest moments of their lives.
For those facing Parkinson’s, the impact is equally powerful.
“Exercise helps slow the progression of Parkinson’s, and the opportunity to socialize avoids situations where people fall into depression,” said Sean Harrigan, a participant in Parkinson’s Body & Mind. “Between exercising and socializing, the program offers anyone with PD a great deal.”
Building Confidence in and out of the Water
Water safety is more than a skill, it’s a lifesaving necessity. Through a partnership with Greenwich Public Schools, the YMCA of Greenwich provides free Safety Around Water field trips for every local fourth grader. This year, more than 600 students were evaluated for their water safety skills through the program. Children identified as lacking
sufficient water safety skills were recommended for a free 6-week swim lesson program at the Y – Edeli Javier’s daughter was one of those children.
For Edeli, the transformation was immediate and emotional.
“She was afraid to jump in the water and now she’s jumping in,” Edeli shared. “I’m not a swimmer myself, and seeing how approachable you all were with her made my heart at peace—and made me want to take lessons here myself.”
Parents leave with peace of mind. Children leave with confidence. And the entire community becomes safer because of it.
A Village That Shows Up for Kids
The YMCA’s impact extends beyond its building—into homes, schools, and
neighborhoods across Greenwich.
Through the Running Start Back-to-School Program, local children receive new clothing essentials to help them begin the school year with confidence. In 2025, 125 children were supported through this initiative. For families like Maria Rivas’s, the experience is about much more than clothing.
“My daughter kept saying how much she loved the volunteer she was paired with, who was so kind to her,” Maria said. “This program is truly such a gift, and I’m so thankful it happens every year. As the saying goes, ‘it takes a village,’ and I’m so proud to be part of this wonderful community.”
Similarly, in the YMCA’s After School Enrichment Program, half of all students receive financial aid—ensuring that working parents have reliable care and their children are supported academically and socially.
Why Donations Matter
While many people think of the YMCA as a gym, its nonprofit work is far more wide-reaching. Charitable gifts empower the Y to:
• Provide financial assistance to families in need
• Offer free health programs for adults facing chronic disease
• Deliver water safety programs that protect local children
• Support families through after school, preschool, and summer care scholarships
• Create opportunities for children and adults to thrive—regardless of income or background
Every dollar given stays right here in Greenwich, helping a neighbor, a family, or a child who needs the Y.
Give Local. Change Lives.
This holiday season, the YMCA of Greenwich invites the community to help ensure that every person—regardless of their circumstances—has a place where they can learn, grow, and belong.
To learn more about the Y’s charitable programs or to make a year-end gift, visit: greenwichymca.org/give/annual