The Gateway Family YMCA Joins Welcoming America in Celebrating New Americans During Welcoming Week
This Welcoming Week, taking place September 13-22, The Gateway Family YMCA will join Welcoming America and hundreds of YMCAs and other organizations nationwide in hosting events to celebrate immigrants’ contributions to communities and bring together all residents in a spirit of unity. Welcoming Week activities are open to the public and include family activities, free programs, seminars and events. Visit www.tgfymca.org for branch specific details.
“At The Gateway Family YMCA, we believe our community is stronger when everyone in the community feels welcome and we can all work together for the common good,” said Krystal R. Canady, CEO, The Gateway Family YMCA. “Our Y has served Eastern Union County and Northern Middlesex County since 1900 and we have a strong commitment to our mission of being For All.”
“Welcoming Week is an opportunity for neighbors—both immigrants and U.S.-born—to connect, find common ground and celebrate our shared values. We are proud to be a part of Welcoming Week, which is demonstrating that in places large and small, rural and urban, people of all backgrounds are coming together to create stronger communities,” stated Melynda A. Mileski, EVP/COO, The Gateway Family YMCA.
During Welcoming Week, The Gateway Family YMCA will host activities celebrating diversity, inclusion and heritage at all branches in Elizabeth, Rahway and Union. Community events will be held at the Elizabeth Branch – 135 Madison Avenue, Elizabeth, Five Points Branch – 201 Tucker Avenue, Union, Rahway Branch – 1564 Irving Street, Rahway and the Wellness Center Branch – 1000 Galloping Hill Road, Union. Member and family activities and community tours by appointment are available at the WISE Center YMCA Branch – 2095B Berwyn Street, Union and Youth Development Branch – 16-20 Jefferson Avenue, Elizabeth.
“These events are part of a powerful and growing movement in our country and around the world, demonstrating that communities want to be welcoming,” said Rachel Peric, Executive Director of Welcoming America. “Welcoming Week is a reminder of the resilient and inclusive spirit of American communities. Thousands of local leaders nationwide are bringing their communities together to bridge divides and build stronger local economies where everyone belongs.”
The Gateway Family YMCA was named the 82nd Diversity, Inclusion and Global (DIG) Innovation Network YMCA by the YMCA of the USA earlier in 2019. The Gateway Family YMCA is the third YMCA in the state of New Jersey to achieve this honor.
The Gateway Family YMCA, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, health and community service organization of caring staff and volunteers dedicated to strengthening the foundations of community and stands For Youth Development, For Healthy Living and For Social Responsibility. The Gateway Family YMCA impacts the community by providing quality services to people of all ages, races, faith or incomes. Since 1900, The Gateway Family YMCA has served the communities surrounding Eastern Union County and Northern Middlesex County in New Jersey.
To learn more about The Gateway Family YMCA and Welcoming Week activities, visit www.tgfymca.org.