Member Information

We are HERE FOR YOU virtually, with programs and services to meet your unique needs.

While the world is practicing social-distancing, we find ourselves in the unique position of providing connecting communication and virtual opportunities to our members and the community.

We want you to know that The Gateway Family YMCA remains HERE FOR YOU and together, we will get through this. Our commitment to our community and to our members remains strong.  TOGETHER, we will get through this unprecedented health crisis.

At The Gateway Family YMCA, the health and well-being of our members, families and staff is our highest priority, always.  Our Y Leadership Team continues to closely monitor the global pandemic, following recommendations from our federal, state and local government agencies and the CDC.  Although we closed all membership branches and programs until further notice, our YMCA housing programs in Elizabeth and Plainfield remain open.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank our Y families for their patience and understanding.  We believe this is the socially responsible thing to do and we do not take this measure lightly.  We remain committed to supporting and strengthening our communities.

We intend to communicate regularly with you throughout this time. Our Y Leadership Team continues to (virtually) meet regularly to assess the situation and our response. While we don’t have all the answers, our members, staff and community remain in our constant thoughts

For our Members, Child Care and School Age Child Care parents, please check your email for important updates.

Please know that the Y staff team will continue to be here to support and assist you however we can and can be reached through the contact form on our website, www.tgfymca.org.  Together, we will all get through this.

Please visit our website at www.tgfymca.org or check social media for periodic updates as we strive to keep you informed.

Our commitment to the community continues through these troubled times, and our housing programs in Elizabeth and Plainfield remain open and accessible to those in need. Each evening, we host more than 300 individuals, families and veterans that call the YMCA home and our staff will continue to support them 24-hours a day through this worldwide pandemic. If you know of someone who is homeless and in need of shelter, please contact NJ 2-1-1.

No one could have imagined or prepared for the world as we know it today.  As a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, The Gateway Family YMCA is supporting additional costs at a time where revenue generating programs are temporarily closed.  As a nonprofit community organization, we exist to meet the needs of the local community, and as those needs grow, so does our need for community donations.

As you can imagine, the community need is great at this time.  Our housing and social services programs are the critical link for those in the community.  Please consider a gift in support of our housing programs.  Together, we will get through this.

While the world is practicing social-distancing, we find ourselves in the unique position of providing connecting communication and virtual opportunities to our members and the community.

If you do not regularly receive emails from us, please visit www.tgfymca.org and (bottom right) choose Newsletter signup.

Follow us socially at The Gateway Family YMCA, The Gateway Family YMCA – Elizabeth Branch, The Gateway Family YMCA Five Points & Wellness Center Branch, The Gateway Family YMCA – Rahway Branch and The Gateway Family YMCA – WISE Center on Facebook and stay connected to your community.  We are also on Twitter and Instagram @TGFYMCA.

While we serve approximately 25,000 members each year through our six YMCA branches, our virtual reach continues to grow. Over 27,000 individuals receive our email blasts, more than 15,000 individuals follow us on social media, 13,000 utilize our mobile app and tens of thousands visit our website, www.tgfymca.org on a monthly basis.

We want to share some of the ways we are currently providing support for our members and our community:

24 Hour Housing and Social Services – Our YMCA remains committed to the 300 individual, family and veteran residential housing participants who call our YMCA “home” in our emergency, transitional and permanent housing programs in Elizabeth and Plainfield.

Emergency Shelter – With an increased need for emergency shelter, we are focused on ensuring that our 24-hour housing services remain fully operational with the strongest precautions as directed by local, state and federal government and health officials.

Virtual Wellness & YMCA Programs – We invite you to visit http://www.tgfymca.org/virtual-wellness for an updated list of virtual programs.  These include video resources for many free links for YMCA programs, wellness programs and programs we will be offering on a virtual basis for our members.

Stay Health-Y 600 Fitness Challenge – We invite you and your family to join us in this fitness challenge, to boost your spirits and remain active when we all need support. Visit https://tgfymca.org/fitness-challenge/ for information on this FREE challenge!

Child Care and SACC Curriculum Materials – In support of our current participant families, our staff has provided at-home curriculum materials, lesson plans, resource links and information in order to maintain consistent learning for our children.  We have also added a Virtual Summer Camp.

Supporting Caregivers – The WISE Center Adult Social Day Services staff is staying connected with daily updates to caregivers, providing activities, motivation and online support group links.  We have also added a Virtual WISE Center Program.

Community Information – Through our website www.tgfymca.org and social media channels we continue to share relevant healthy tips, recipes, family activities and curriculum materials. Please engage with us!

Safety & Cleaning – We continue to provide additional and necessary deep cleaning of our facilities through our vendors to ensure we are able to open our doors to all.

Current YMCA Programs – Our intention is to provide regular communication through email to registered participants.

Since 1900, our YMCA has continued to provide service to our local community.  We remain Here For You through this global pandemic.  As a non-profit community organization, our members are the foundation of our work, and any closure represents a significant threat to our organization.

Thank you for working with us to demonstrate the power of community and what we can accomplish when we come together to support those who need us most.  We appreciate you!

FAQ (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)

How long will the YMCA be closed? At this time, our branches are closed until further notice based on federal, state and local recommendations. Our Y Leadership team is continuing to monitor the pandemic and recommendations and will reevaluate the status of the Y branches and programs on a weekly basis.

What Y services will be available to me during this temporary closure?  We are providing some of our offerings to members virtually. Y Members can visit http://www.tgfymca.org/virtual-wellness for an updated list of Virtual Wellness programs and resources.  Virtual Summer Camp and Virtual WISE Center programs are also available.

We continue to regularly communicate with our members through our website, social media and email lists.  Child Care and School Age Child Care at-home curriculum materials and activities were provided to families in our programs.

What about The Gateway Family YMCA housing programs?  Our YMCA housing programs in Elizabeth and Plainfield will remain open.  If you know of someone in need of emergency shelter, please ask them to contact NJ 2-1-1 for placement.

How can I receive YMCA updates?  Visit www.tgfymca.org and choose the “Newsletter Signup” button on the bottom right if you do not regularly receive YMCA emails.  Follow The Gateway Family YMCA, The Gateway Family YMCA – Elizabeth Branch, The Gateway Family YMCA Five Points & Wellness Center Branch, The Gateway Family YMCA – Rahway Branch and The Gateway Family YMCA – WISE Center on Facebook and stay connected to your community.

Where can I go for COVID-19 Information and Resources?  We encourage everyone to regularly check the CDC’s website or State of NJ website for important updates and safety information.  The American Academy of Pediatrics also has helpful information specific to children and families.

If you have questions about COVID-19 Call the NJ COVID-19 & Poison Center Public Hotline at 1-800-222-1222 or 1-800-962-1253 if using an out-of-state phone line. Trained professionals are standing by to answer your call 24/7 or visit nj.gov/health. NOTE: Hotline is not to locate testing, to get test results, or for medical advice.

We urge your family to consider social distancing as a strategy to assist our country in flattening the curve and alleviate a strain on our medical institutions.

If you or a loved one are experiencing flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath, please stay home, rest, and contact your medical provider.  Additional everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19 and the flu include:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick until you’ve been free of fever for 24 hours.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

A local cleaning company regularly cleans our Y branches, and during this closure will institute additional deep-cleaning measures, including a full sanitization based on CDC recommendations.

We encourage everyone to regularly check the CDC’s website or State of NJ website for important updates and safety information.  The American Academy of Pediatrics also has helpful information specific to children and families.