YWCA Princeton Area Newcomers and Friends Club

The Newcomers and Friends Club was formed on March 18th, 1959 around hot tea and good intentions. Through YWCA Princeton, a group of fifty women who had lived in the Princeton area for only two years or less were welcomed to a “Get Acquainted Dessert Tea”. What brought the women together that day was the desire to form meaningful connections and foster a sense of community that may be difficult to find for new residents. The group began to take shape as meetings became more regular, and women who had experience with other Newcomers Clubs shared ideas and best practices.

The Newcomers and Friends Club celebrated its 60th anniversary (officially) on October 21st, 2019 at the Boathouse at Mercer Lake in Mercer County Park. The Anniversary Planning Committee of Newcomers and Friends Club had been working on this special event since the summer of 2018: Betty Dominick, Patti Natale, Laurel Cameron, Lydia Oakes, Lori Strauch-Grossman, and Linda Biondi.

Over 100 of Friends from various decades were in attendance, including seventeen former Presidents and our earliest member, Kay Yoder, who joined in 1961! Current President Marla Burchell presented YWCA Princeton CEO, Judy Hutton, with a beautiful Newcomers & Friends Club poster (now displayed proudly in the YWCA's Bramwell Living Room) as well as a generous donation to YWCA Princeton’s programs.

There have been many changes in the club throughout the decades, but the enthusiasm, commitment and mission to help newcomers and residents ‘bloom where they are planted’ has remained the same.

The Newcomers and Friends Club hosts the monthly Friday with Friends, Social Coffees, and expansive offerings of Interest Groups. These smaller Interest Groups are considered a heart and soul of the organization. These Interest Groups give you the opportunity to connect with fellow members and form lasting friendships. If your special interest isn't represented, it is very simple to start a new group!

If your available time and interest allow, the Newcomers and Friends Club can help you discover the perfect volunteer opportunity. Once you become a member, you may be inspired to chair an Interest Group, Standing Committee, Board or get involved with a YWCA community service opportunity. The YWCA Princeton has many ways for you to volunteer, the options to find your passion are numerous and the rewards immeasurable.

Each year, the members of Newcomers and Friends Club give back to the YWCA Young Wonders Child Development Center, Pre & After School Programs, ESL Program, Breast Cancer Resource Center, ETS 5k Walk/Run for the Bilingual Nursery School Program.

For more information about the YWCA Princeton Area Newcomers and Friends Club, please visit www.ywcaprinceton.org/newcomers or contact our membership chair at newcomersmembership@ywcaprinceton.org or connect with the YWCA Princeton Area Newcomers and Friends on Facebook.

Members who joined have said,

“The beauty of this group is that no matter your reason for joining and no matter whether you come from across the street or across the ocean we’ve all found a home with the Princeton area Newcomers & Friends”- Debbie Ridder

“Joining Newcomers has been fantastic–meeting intelligent, different backgrounded, different aged women has been the best part. Now I feel like I have a family here. The interest groups have allowed me to explore Philly, NYC, and Central NJ cities, dine in restaurants in the area, go to the movies to see films my husband may not be interested in, share stories with women, learn something new, and, most of all, socialize with wonderful women.” – Pattie Natale

“…Suddenly there were people who really understood what it means to move out of one’s comfort zone and to be surrounded by new people. Not only that in Princeton, however, this club is full of some of the most intelligent women I have ever met!”- Ann Goodwillie