Building a Healthier New Jersey

Fanwood-Scotch Plains, NJ (Jan 28, 2025) – Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “the first wealth is health,” a philosophy that underscores the continued collaboration between the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance (YMCA Alliance) and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon). Together, they are making health and wellness more accessible by offering discounted YMCA memberships to Horizon members at 41 locations across New Jersey, including at the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA.

“Physical activity has countless benefits to strengthen the spirit, mind and body,” said the YMCA Alliance Chief Executive Officer Julie Gallanty. “We’re thrilled to join forces with Horizon to ensure more people can access the Y’s healthy living programs and supportive resources.”

Through December 31, 2025, Horizon members may receive a 15 percent discount on their monthly YMCA memberships and those joining the Y as new members will also enjoy waived joiner’s fees at the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA, and at participating branches.

“Horizon is grateful to collaborate with the Alliance for a second year to make it easier and more affordable to engage in a healthy lifestyle by joining a local YMCA,” said Horizon’s Senior Vice President of Government & Community Affairs Uli Diaz.

“YMCAs have long been community hubs and trusted partners for generations of New Jerseyans who have learned to swim, joined a team, and improved their physical fitness and overall health. Through this collaboration, participating YMCAs are more affordable for our members, and we reaffirm a shared goal of empowering individuals to achieve their best health,” Diaz said.

This collaboration continues a long-standing relationship between the YMCA Alliance and Horizon, both committed to improving the physical and mental health of New Jersey residents.

“The YMCA is far more than just a gym and a place to swim,” said Tracy Crane, Chief Executive Officer of the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA. “We’re a nonprofit organization dedicated to building healthy people and communities. Our mission is to ensure that our health and well-being programs are accessible to everyone, regardless of age, income, background, or beliefs. This collaboration helps us extend that mission to more individuals and families.”

At the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA, members can experience a variety of fitness programs along with youth and adult swim lessons, child care, summer day camp, youth enrichment and sports classes and adult sports programs.

The YMCA Alliance leads a coalition of 30 independent YMCA associations throughout New Jersey, serving as an advocate to advance public policy, statewide initiatives, strategic partnerships, and service delivery that help improve community health and advance equity for families.

For more details about the discount program offered at the Fanwood-Scotch Plains Y, reach out to Kristine Keating at kkeating@fspymca.org For a complete list of participating YMCA locations, visit https://www.horizonblue.com/ymca.

About the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA

The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. For information on membership or programs, or to request a schedule of classes, please call the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA at (908) 889-8880 or visit www.fspymca.org. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

About the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance

The YMCA Alliance is a statewide nonprofit organization leading a coalition of 30 independent YMCA associations. Through public policy, statewide initiatives, strategic partnerships, and service delivery, the YMCA Alliance fosters a greater ability for YMCAs, community partners and leaders across the state to impact families, improve community health and advance equity. Our collective voice strengthens local communities while promoting youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. For more information, visit www.njymca.org.

About Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state's leading health solutions company, and its affiliates provide a wide array of medical, dental, vision and prescription insurance products and services. Horizon BCBSNJ is leading the transformation of health care in New Jersey by working with doctors and hospitals to deliver innovative, patient-centered programs that are improving healthcare quality, cost, and convenience. Horizon BCBSNJ is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association serving approximately 3.5 million members. Learn more at HorizonBlue.com.