YMCA of Greater Monmouth County Receives Recognition for Critical Pandemic Support | January 3, 2022 |

The Visiting Nurse Association Health Group (VNA) recently presented its annual Community Partner Award to the YMCA of Greater Monmouth County (the Y) in recognition of support for critical COVID-19 health services.

The award was presented to the Y President and CEO Laurie Goganzer by VNA President and CEO Dr. Steven Landers at the VNA’s annual meeting in December.

“The VNA selected the Y as the recipient of our Community Partner Award for their unparalleled commitment to collaboration during a critical time for our community. We’re grateful for their partnership to help us combat COVID-19 and support recovery efforts,” said Christopher Rinn, chief executive officer of Visiting Nurse Association of Central New Jersey’s Community Health Centers (VNACJ CHC).

During the height of the pandemic, the Y teamed with the VNA to offer community COVID-19 testing and vaccinations at the Red Bank Family YMCA. The pair made history by becoming the first community-based satellite COVID-19 vaccination site in New Jersey.

“The Y is proud to be a partner with the VNA in helping our community recover from COVID-19,” Goganzer said. “We are honored to receive recognition for what we believe is our responsibility as a cause-driven organization – to strengthen our community.”

The Y became a critical community hub for COVID-19 support services. In addition to testing and vaccinations with the VNA, the Y partnered with multiple nonprofit organizations to collect and distribute meals to needy families, host blood drives and provide emergency child care services for health care workers.

Goganzer credits the Y’s team of more than 1,000 employees and volunteers for their caring response to the community’s needs during the pandemic. “Together we are stronger, and when we come together with partners like the VNA, we make our community stronger,” she said.

The Y’s pandemic response efforts have also been recognized by the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, which honored the nonprofit with its Community Service Award in fall 2021.

About YMCA of Greater Monmouth County
YMCA of Greater Monmouth County is here for all – to empower youth and teens, improve health and strengthen community. A leading nonprofit charity, the Y unites 36,000 people of all ages, incomes, and backgrounds. During the pandemic, we responded to vital community needs, providing more than $735,000 in relief services. Our life-changing programs and services are anchored in 10 communities: health and wellness facilities in Freehold Township, Old Bridge and Red Bank; outdoor day camps in Millstone and Wall; a community center in Freehold Borough; counseling and social service centers in Eatontown, Matawan and Middletown; childcare centers in Freehold Township, Matawan and Red Bank; and integrated in nearly 100 schools in Monmouth and Ocean counties. We’re based in Shrewsbury, NJ. Learn more at www.ymcanj.org.