Y M C A Of Westfield N J

THE WESTFIELD AREA YMCA IS A NONPROFIT HUMAN SERVICE ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO DEVELOPING THE FULL POTENTIAL OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY IN THE COMMUNITIES IT SERVES THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY FOR ALL. WITH A COMMITMENT TO NURTURING THE POTENTIAL OF CHILDREN, PROMOTING HEALTHY LIVING AND FOSTERING A SENSE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, THE Y ENSURES THAT EVERY INDIVIDUAL HAS ACCESS TO THE ESSENTIALS NEEDED TO LEARN, GROW AND THRIVE. THE WESTFIELD AREA YMCA IS ONE OF THE LARGEST HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS IN UNION COUNTY, NEW JERSEY AND HAS PROUDLY SERVED MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, RACES, RELIGIONS, SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS AND ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES SINCE 1923. NO ONE WHO LIVES OR WORKS IN THE Y'S SERVICE AREA OF WESTFIELD, CRANFORD, GARWOOD OR MOUNTAINSIDE AND IS EXPERIENCING A BONA FIDE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP IS TURNED AWAY FOR INABILITY TO PAY FOR YMCA PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND MEMBERSHIPS.

THE WESTFIELD AREA YMCA PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF STIMULATING, SAFE, AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE CHILD CARE PROGRAMS. FULL AND HALF-DAY EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE IN WESTFIELD AND GARWOOD. ALL PROGRAMS OFFER A WELL-BALANCED BLEND OF SOCIAL INTERACTION AND SELF-DISCOVERY THROUGH FREE PLAY, ART, MUSIC AND LEARNING CENTERS. FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN IS AVAILABLE IN WESTFIELD AND EXPANDS UPON THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CURRICULUM WHILE FOLLOWING THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CALENDAR. THE SCHOOL AGE CHILDCARE PROGRAM PROVIDES A FUN, ACTIVE AND NURTURING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL IN WESTFIELD, CRANFORD, GARWOOD, AND MOUNTAINSIDE. PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED AT YMCA FACILITIES AND SCHOOL SITES. 756 CHILDREN WERE SERVED IN 2023. THE WESTFIELD AREA YMCA PROVIDES ACA-ACCREDITED SUMMER DAY CAMPS FOR CHILDREN, AGES 3-15, FOR ONE WEEK OR THE WHOLE SUMMER. THE YMCA SUMMER CAMPS TEACH POSITIVE VALUES, ENHANCE SOCIAL COMPETENCIES, INCREASE SELF-CONFIDENCE AND BOOST UNDERSTANDING OF BEHAVIORAL BOUNDARIES AND CONSEQUENCES. AN INCLUSION PROGRAM FOR CAMPERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IS INCLUDED. IN 2023, THE Y PROVIDED 894 YOUTH WITH 3,963 WEEKS OF CAMP. FROM BASKETBALL TO TAEKWONDO TO DANCE TO T-BALL, THE WESTFIELD AREA YMCA YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS OFFER CHILDREN OF EVERY ABILITY THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXERCISE, COMBAT OBESITY, DEVELOP SKILLS AND HAVE FUN. THE Y FLYERS TRACK CLUB SERVED APPROXIMATELY 550 YOUTH OF ALL ABILITIES. IN ADDITION, APPROXIMATELY 340 YOUTH PARTICIPATED IN THE TAEKWONDO PROGRAM, 325 PARTICIPATED IN THE Y'S DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPETITIVE DEVILFISH SWIM TEAM AND 190 PARTICIPATED IN T-BALL. WE ALSO PROVIDE AQUATIC LESSONS FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES AND IN 2023, ABOUT 675 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED EACH WEEK. ALL TOLD, THE WESTFIELD AREA YMCA IS PROUD OF ITS ROLE IN HELPING THOUSANDS OF AREA YOUTH DEVELOP SKILLS AND LEARN SPORTSMANSHIP EACH YEAR. WITH THE GROWTH OF THE 55+ POPULATION, THE YMCA HAS ENHANCED ITS PROGRAMMING FOR SENIORS, OFFERING A VARIETY OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS, INCLUDING CLASSES FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL HEALTH NEEDS SUCH AS ARTHRITIS, PARKINSON'S AND OSTEOPOROSIS. SENIORS APPRECIATE THE SOCIALIZATION OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED IN PROGRAMS AND CLASSES AT THE Y.

THE WESTFIELD AREA YMCA WELCOMES PEOPLE OF EVERY AGE, ABILITY AND LIFE STAGE AND SUPPORTS THOSE WHO NEED US MOST. AT THE Y PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED TO STRENGTHEN PEOPLE PHYSICALLY WHILE SHARPENING THEIR MINDS, HELPING THEM ACHIEVE WELLNESS IN SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE Y CONTINUED TO SERVE AS A FOOD PANTRY DROP-OFF SITE, HOSTED SEVERAL CLOTHING AND HYGIENE PRODUCT DRIVES, AND PUT UP THE ANGEL TREE IN DECEMBER SO LESS FORTUNATE CHILDREN WOULD RECEIVE HOLIDAY GIFTS THANKS TO THE GENEROSITY OF OUR MEMBERS. WITH MORE THAN 170 PIECES OF CARDIO AND STRENGTH TRAINING EQUIPMENT, TWO SWIMMING POOLS, A DOUBLE GYM, RACQUETBALL COURTS, FITNESS CLASSES AND A FREE-WEIGHT ROOM, THE WESTFIELD AREA YMCA IS A GREAT PLACE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO REACH AND MAINTAIN THEIR WELLNESS GOALS.