News

The New Jersey YMCA State Alliance (NJYSA), through a new partnership with the New York Yankees, created a memorable opportunity for 45 students and staff from the West Essex YMCA. On July 31^st, the group traveled to Yankee Stadium to watch the Yankees take on the Tampa Bay Rays, enjoying a day filled with excitement, team spirit, and connection.

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Dear Friends of the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance,

As the crisp air of autumn arrives and the leaves begin to turn, exciting things are happening in YMCAs all across New Jersey. The start of the school year always brings fresh energy, and we are so proud to see children back in their classrooms during the day and thriving in safe, nurturing afterschool programs at their local Ys. These programs do so much more than provide care – they create a place where young people feel a true sense of belonging, build strong friendships, and develop the confidence to grow and thrive.

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In September, NJYSA facilitated a Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training for SNAP-Ed nutrition educators and YMCA staff who work directly with children and teens. 15 attendees joined the training, which equips participants to recognize the signs and symptoms of potential mental health and substance use challenges among youth ages 12–18, listen nonjudgmentally, provide reassurance, and connect individuals to appropriate professional support.

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Julia Wieczorek and Heather Doerr, along with YMCA staff members from Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges, Summit Area YMCA, The Gateway Family YMCA, Greater Somerset County YMCA, Raritan Bay Area YMCA, and Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA, attended the August YMCA Principles & Practices (P&P) leadership experience in West Chester, PA, hosted by the Oscar Lasko YMCA and Child Care Center.

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This summer marked the third year of NJYSA’s partnership with the regional McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program. Together, we connected youth experiencing homelessness and their families to local YMCAs for summer programming, to nurture health, belonging, and community beyond the school year. In 2025, 48 youth across 8 YMCA branches participated in day camp and overnight camp at no cost. Participating youth hailed from Sussex, Bergen, Passaic, Somerset, Mercer, and Monmouth counties.

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The New Jersey YMCA State Alliance coordinated a CATCH PE Journeys training session in September at the Hamilton Area YMCA Sawmill Branch, specifically for staff involved in Out of School Time (OST) programs. The training equipped participants with innovative strategies and practical techniques to engage children in enjoyable, developmentally appropriate activities that promote moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA).

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New Jersey Ys continue to demonstrate remarkable commitment to outreach and mission-driven work by supporting individuals and families affected by Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. As life expectancy increases, more members of our communities are in need of specialized programming and Ys across the state are stepping up to meet that need with compassion and expertise.

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Do you want to build leadership skills, learn how government works, and make your voice heard on issues that matter? The NJ YMCA Youth and Government (YAG) program gives high school students the chance to step into the shoes of elected officials, judges, lobbyists, journalists, and more – all while connecting with peers from across the state.

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