Join in a Celebration of Unity and Community

YMCA of the Jersey Shore (the Y) invites all community members and neighbors to try the Y for free and enjoy community-based activities during Welcoming Week from Sept. 10-19. The annual event is part of a larger national celebration across YMCAs to bring people together and promote cross-cultural understanding. Held in partnership with Welcoming America, a nonprofit dedicated to creating more connected communities, the goal is to raise awareness of the value of our differences.

“Every day, people from all ages, nationalities and backgrounds walk through our doors to improve their physical, mental and social well-being – side by side,” said YMCA of the Jersey Shore President & CEO Laurie Goganzer. “Welcoming Week is a chance for everyone to enjoy the feeling of belonging and respect that happens at the Y every day. It’s a celebration of unique cultures, perspectives and appreciation for the idea that our differences are often what make us stronger as a community.”

New Friends, Fun & Fitness – for Free!

The event is an example of the Y’s commitment to social responsibility and the belief that everyone deserves the right to reach their full potential. Through services such as mental health counseling, community outreach and financial assistance, the Y serves as a positive force for change, both for members and Jersey Shore residents in need.

In addition to free access to the Y facilities, the enrollment fee will be waived for attendees who sign up for a membership during Welcoming Week. The event also features a variety of free activities designed to promote wellness, cultural awareness and community.

The Freehold, Old Bridge and Red Bank YMCA locations and the Bayshore Family Success Center will feature:

• Cultural Arts & Crafts
• Fitness & Fun
• Hiring Fairs
• Partners & Resources
• Storytelling & Performances
• Voter Registration

Attendees will also get the chance to meet some of the people behind Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey (CVCJ), a new Y program that supports vulnerable seniors in Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties. Free services such as transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping assistance, therapy dogs and other practical support reduce isolation and enhance quality of life.

The Ocean County YMCA will offer refreshments and interactive displays. The facility will also be free and open to the public with a waived enrollment fee for community members who sign up for a membership during Welcoming Week.

Where Every Neighbor Belongs

“Welcoming Week is a reflection of the promise we have made to support the diverse needs of our community and to encourage togetherness,” Goganzer noted. “The variety of local organizations participating in the event will not only give attendees the chance to become more involved in the community – it will also make people more aware and appreciative of our different backgrounds, interests and perspectives.”

Community partners at Welcoming Week will include Monmouth County Social Services, League of Women Voters, Monmouth County Division of Aging, Disabilities and Veterans, Red Bank Public Library, Old Bridge Public Library, Middletown Township Public Library, Silver Linings Old Bridge, VNA WIC Program, United Healthcare, Jewish Home for Rehabilitation and Nursing, Kaleidoscope ABA Therapy, United Methodist Church, and more.

Welcoming Week will take place at the following YMCA locations in Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties. Activities will vary at each location.

• Bayshore Family Success Center, located at the Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center, 945 State Highway 36, Leonardo, 07737
• Freehold Family YMCA, 470 East Freehold Road, Freehold, 07728
• Ocean County YMCA, 1088 W Whitty Road, Toms River, 08755
• Old Bridge Family YMCA, 1 Mannino Park Dr., Old Bridge, 08857
• Red Bank Family YMCA, 166 Maple Ave., Red Bank, 07701

For more details on Welcoming Week activities at each YMCA location visit https://ymcanj.org/welcomingweek-2026 and https://ocymca.org/events/welcoming-week/.

About YMCA of the Jersey Shore

The YMCA of the Jersey Shore is a cause-driven nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Based in Shrewsbury, NJ, we serve 65,000 people annually in Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties. From lifesaving swim lessons and child care to mental health support, chronic disease prevention, and care for seniors, we offer programs that uplift people of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. With a legacy of more than 150 years of service, we’re proud to be named a Top Workplace in New Jersey since 2022 by NJ Advance Media. Learn more at www.ymcanj.org.