TapInto Middleton, April 21, 2019

RED BANK, NJ – The Community YMCA in Red Bank, and the YMCA of Western Monmouth County announced last Thursday in Red Bank that they will join together as one YMCA association, creating the second largest YMCA in New Jersey.  This union will be effective September 1, 2019.

Since January 2019, the two YMCA’s have been operating under a management service agreement where The Community YMCA has provided leadership to the western Monmouth County YMCA.  Laurie Goganzer has been serving as President and CEO of both associations and Jennifer Dunn as Chief Operating Officer.

Collectively, these two will serve over 36,000 members, employ more than 1,200 people and work with about 650 volunteers.

Working for almost a year on the analysis and planning, the decision to merge was unanimously approved by both Board of Directors.  Members of the task force were Russ Azzarello, John Badenhop, Stacey DeAlmeida, Tim Hogan, Jennifer Lakefield, Craig McGraw, Ted Nappi and Janet Phillips.

“This union creates an exciting opportunity to serve more individuals and families through a shared mission focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility,” Goganzer said.  “I am truly grateful to our board members, task force and board Chairpersons Stacey DeAlmeida and Jennifer Lakefield for their commitment to the Y mission to make a deeper impact in the communities we serve.”

Combined, the association offers a tremendous variety of services; 11 facilities including: health and wellness branches in Freehold, Old Bridge, and Red Bank; outdoor day camps in Millstone and Wall, a community center in Freehold; counseling and social services centers in Eatontown, Matawan, and in the Leonardo section of Middletown; a child care center in Matawan; and administrative offices in Shrewsbury.  Additionally, both Y’s provide before and after school care services in 40 schools across Monmouth County and The Community YMCA provides therapeutic counseling to children in 53 schools in eastern Monmouth County and parts of Ocean County.

“Coming together will enable both Y’s to benefit from shared resources and enhance our ability to respond to vital needs in our communities, including affordable child care, suicide prevention and mental health and behavioral health care”, said Lakefield, who will become chair of the new board and Chief Volunteer Officer of the unified Y.

“This is an important milestone for The Community YMCA and YMCA of Western Monmouth County.  We believe we will only be stronger together,” said DeAlmeida, incoming first vice president of the new board of directors.

The two Y’s have a history of collaboration, including jointly owning and operating YMCA Camp Zehnder, sharing marketing initiatives, and hosting an annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., event for 31 years.

“Our teams are excited about moving forward as one Y and are already working together to ensure a smooth transition for our members and program participants,” said Jennifer Dunn, Chief Operating Officer overseeing both operations.

Values, health, respect and citizenship.  That’s what they teach and that’s why they’re the best organization on the planet.

To watch a video of the press conference, click HERE.

For more information on The Community YMCA, call 732.671.5501, or click HERE.

For more information on the YMCA of Western Monmouth County, call 732.671.5505 or click on the HERE.

For updates on the merger, visit www.ymcanj.org/strongertogether.