Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs

08/07/2026

The Alliance was proud to be invited to the signing of the Protect Act at La Colaborativa on Wednesday, August 5. It was inspiring to join so many dedicated community partners and legislators who work every day to support children, families, and neighbors across Massachusetts.

At the YMCA, we believe in fostering welcoming communities where everyone feels they belong, and we are grateful to have been part of this meaningful gathering. We look forward to continuing to work alongside our partners to strengthen and support the communities we serve.

08/05/2026

At Alliance, we believe that meaningful impact is built through the dedication of people who quietly show up, lift others up, and create spaces where young people can discover their voice and their potential. The Grist Award embodies that spirit.

The Grist Award, named in honor of Paul Grist for his decades of service to the YMCA and commitment to youth development, recognizes an advisor or volunteer who exemplifies the YMCA’s core values, dedication to C**A and Youth & Government, and the principles of servant leadership. It is the highest honor an adult can receive at the Conference on National Affairs.

The 2026 recipient, Susan Healy from Old Colony YMCA, embodies the true meaning of this award. Since beginning her Youth & Government journey in the 1980s, Sue has dedicated herself to creating opportunities for young people to find their voice, grow as leaders, and feel valued. Much of her impact has happened behind the scenes, through years of unwavering support, mentorship, and care for students and advisors alike.

A longtime presence at C**A since 2014, Sue is known for her kindness, encouragement, and commitment to putting the student experience first. Through her compassion, servant leadership, and dedication to others, she has made a lasting difference in the lives of countless young people and fellow YMCA leaders.

Congratulations to Sue Healy, the 2026 Grist Award recipient, for exemplifying the very best of Youth & Government and the YMCA mission.

07/01/2026

With the World Cup in full swing, there has never been more excitement around soccer! I'm hoping for a big win for Team USA in their Round of 32 match in just a few hours.

Following the tournament, the REVS will return to action in Major League Soccer in just a couple of weeks. With that said, mark your calendars for YMCA Night at the REVS! Saturday August 8th at 4:30pm! Hope to see you there!- Finn Fogarty New England Revolution

07/01/2026

On May 21, the South Shore YMCA's Laura's Center for the Arts was filled with smiles, laughter, heartfelt reunions, and shared memories as 12 of the organization's 18 living Board Chairs traveled from across the country to gather alongside current President & CEO Trevor Williams and former CEO Ralph Yohe.

More than a reunion, the event honored the individuals whose guidance and dedication helped shape the South Shore YMCA into the thriving organization it is today. Throughout the afternoon, stories of resilience, growth, and connection highlighted the Y's impact across generations—from expanding programs and building new campuses to creating spaces where children, families, and older adults can learn, grow, and belong.

As President & CEO Trevor Williams shared, "We stand on their shoulders, and my goal is to leave it better for the next group, as they did for me." His words captured the spirit of the gathering: honoring the past while inspiring the future.

At Alliance, we believe lasting impact is made possible by leaders who generously share their time, talents, and expertise to strengthen the organizations and communities they care about. The legacy of these Board Chairs serves as a powerful reminder that thoughtful leadership creates opportunities that extend far beyond today, touching countless lives for generations to come.

We are proud to celebrate the South Shore YMCA and the remarkable leaders whose vision continues to inspire stronger communities, meaningful connections, and brighter futures for all.

06/26/2026

The World Cup may be coming to an end, but the excitement doesn't have to! Let's keep the energy and momentum going by joining us for an amazing day with our Y staff, families, and friends.
Be sure to submit your ticket requests by June 30th to reserve your spot. We can't wait to celebrate and make more great memories together! ⚽🎉

⚽🎉 Join Us for the 2nd Annual YMCA Night at the Revolution! 🎉⚽
Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 4:30 PM as we come together for an exciting afternoon of soccer, fellowship, and family fun when the New England Revolution take on the Houston Dynamo!

Tickets are just $31 each—the same great price as last year.

🌟 If enough tickets are sold, attendees will gain access to a private parking lot before the match, featuring:

🏈 Tailgating

🎯 Games and activities

🤝 Fellowship with YMCA associations and families from across the region

Each association is asked to designate one point of contact to work directly with Jessica Borges, collect payments, and distribute tickets within their association. Following the close of registration on June 30, a single invoice will be issued to each association.

🎟️ Secure your tickets today and help us make this year's event even bigger than the last!

Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfg75NorFvxmeQxyTiMfOT2pCXDADxLQuJCiI3l0Ssle91kEg/viewform

06/23/2026

⚽🎉 Join Us for the 2nd Annual YMCA Night at the Revolution! 🎉⚽
Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 4:30 PM as we come together for an exciting afternoon of soccer, fellowship, and family fun when the New England Revolution take on the Houston Dynamo!

Tickets are just $31 each—the same great price as last year.

🌟 If enough tickets are sold, attendees will gain access to a private parking lot before the match, featuring:

🏈 Tailgating

🎯 Games and activities

🤝 Fellowship with YMCA associations and families from across the region

Each association is asked to designate one point of contact to work directly with Jessica Borges, collect payments, and distribute tickets within their association. Following the close of registration on June 30, a single invoice will be issued to each association.

🎟️ Secure your tickets today and help us make this year's event even bigger than the last!

Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfg75NorFvxmeQxyTiMfOT2pCXDADxLQuJCiI3l0Ssle91kEg/viewform

06/02/2026

At the YMCA, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. On May 26, the Old Colony YMCA took an important step toward making that vision a reality with the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the Sheehan-Cortelli Early Learning Center.

Hosted by President and CEO Charles Clifford, alongside the Old Colony YMCA Plymouth Branch Board of Governors and branch staff, the event brought together community leaders, advocates, and supporters who share a commitment to strengthening families and ensuring that children have access to quality early learning opportunities.

The celebration was honored by the presence of distinguished public officials, including Congressman Bill Keating, Representative Michelle Badger from the MA House of Representatives, and Senator Dylan Fernandes from the MA Senate. Their participation highlighted the importance of investing in early childhood education and demonstrated the strong community partnerships that help make transformative projects like this possible.

A particularly memorable moment came from the center’s preschoolers, whose joyful musical performance served as a reminder of the lives that will be impacted by this expansion. Their enthusiasm reflected the YMCA’s commitment to nurturing the potential of every child and creating environments where young learners can flourish. When completed, the expansion will provide access to early education and care services for 45 additional families, helping meet a critical community need while supporting parents and caregivers.

This groundbreaking is more than the start of a construction project—it is a promise to local families, an investment in the future of our children, and a testament to what can be achieved when community leaders, public officials, and the YMCA work together to create opportunities for all.

05/26/2026

Strong communities don’t just happen; they’re built by people who care. The YMCA empowers youth, promotes healthy living, and fosters social responsibility for all.

Sign up to become a Y Advocate today and make your community strong: https://ymca.quorum.us/action_center/

05/07/2026

Thanks to a $65,000 grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education, the Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs launched a STEM Week / Green Ys initiative to help young people and YMCA teams explore what a more sustainable, community-centered YMCA can look like. Through training, project design support, and hands-on planning with Gro, youth and staff developed local projects that connect STEM learning with real community needs.

Last night, we hosted our Showcase Event at YMCA Hayes Lodge in Hopkinton, where four YMCA teams presented projects designed to improve environmental sustainability, expand access, and strengthen community connection.

One team shared afterward that on the drive home, their youth could not stop talking about their presentations, the energy in the room, and how much fun they had sharing what they learned. That kind of excitement, confidence, and pride does not happen every day, and it’s exactly what made this event so special.

We were proud to celebrate:
Greater Holyoke YMCA — hydroponics to help address food security and clean water access
MetroWest YMCA— rain barrels for runoff pollution and water access at their outdoor center in Hopkinton
Attleboro Norton YMCA — an equitable and accessible playground made from recycled materials, plus a garden where education and life skills can take place
YMCA of Central Massachusetts — a community garden addressing community connection and social isolation

This initiative was about more than a single event. It was about giving young people the tools, support, and platform to design solutions for their communities and share their vision with confidence.

Thank you to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education for making this work possible, to Gro Dev for helping guide the process, and to the youth, staff, and partners who brought these projects to life.

05/01/2026

At Alliance, we are proud to highlight community partners and leaders who are working every day to advance early learning and expand opportunities for young children. This month, we are pleased to recognize a meaningful National Reading Month celebration in Haverhill.

On Tuesday, March 31st, Representative Andy Vargas visited the YMCA of the North Shore Haverhill Children’s Learning Center Pre-Kindergarten class to read with students and celebrate the importance of early literacy. His visit reflected a shared commitment across the community to ensure that every child develops strong reading skills from the very start of their educational journey.

Representative Vargas has been a strong advocate for early literacy initiatives in Haverhill, including his support for launching Haverhill Promise, a collaborative effort focused on ensuring that all students have the tools and support they need to achieve grade-level reading by the end of third grade. This initiative brings together educators, families, and community partners to strengthen early learning systems and improve long-term academic outcomes.

At Alliance, we know that moments like these matter. Reading aloud to young learners not only builds foundational literacy skills but also fosters curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. Community engagement—whether through policymakers, educators, or local partners—plays a critical role in making these experiences possible.