A Better You For a Better Us: New Jersey YMCAs Come Together to Build Community

UNION COUNTY, NJ – Every January, nearly 70% of Americans make at least one New Year’s Resolution, most commonly including healthy lifestyle changes. Whatever you resolve to do this year, the Y is here to help build a better you. For the second year, YMCA’s across New Jersey have come together to host a statewide Open House, inviting individuals and families to visit the Y on January 9th* and learn how to start making a better you. The Gateway Family YMCA branches in Elizabeth, Rahway and Union, NJ will be participating in the statewide open house on January 9th. For individual branch schedules of events and classes, visit www.tgfymca.org.

Creating personal change takes effort, active involvement, encouragement and support. Local Ys partner with individuals on their quest to achieve personal goals, providing programs and services that strengthen individuals and communities. Whether it’s becoming healthier, trying new activities, spending time with family, making new friends, or making a difference in your community, the Y is where building a better you builds a better community.

To encourage individuals and families to make their resolutions a reality, Ys step in every day to give people a place to play, learn and be healthy. “With the start of the new year, everyone resolves to improve. We help people and families build and maintain healthy habits for spirit, mind and body in their everyday lives,” says Krystal R. Canady, CEO, The Gateway Family YMCA. “Our impact is felt when an individual makes a healthy choice, when a mentor inspires a child and when neighbors come together for the common good.”

With their doors open to all, Ys bring together people from all backgrounds to demonstrate the power of what can be achieved as a community. “When you’re a part of The Gateway Family YMCA, you’re a member of a community that’s committed every day to helping you and your family through programs focused on Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. We’re proud to be able to provide another statewide event hosted by dozens of YMCAs at their own locations to promote healthy change,” added Melynda A. Mileski, EVP/COO, The Gateway Family YMCA.

New Jersey’s Ys are part of nearly 2,700 Ys across America joined together to make a greater impact in 10,000 communities. The Gateway Family YMCA offers individuals, seniors and families, a unique sense of community by providing a place to gather and support each other in a healthy social environment. Because the Y is a nonprofit and believes everyone should have the resources to achieve health and wellness, financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

Get started today. Visit your local Y’s Open House on January 9th* and start making a better you. Learn how membership can make us – as individuals and a community – better.

Some of the planned activities at The Gateway Family YMCA include:

• Get active: Join a fitness class, take a swim or shoot some hoops in the gym.

• Fun surprises: Giveaways, healthy snacks, contests, games and guest passes.

• Bring the family: Children’s activities, active family classes, and nutrition/health information.

To learn more about your local YMCA and the “A Better You For a Better Us” Open House events, visit www.tgfymca.org or call the Elizabeth Branch at 908-355-9622, Five Points Branch 908-688-9622, Rahway Branch 732-388-0057 or the Wellness Center Branch 908-349-9622. To find a local YMCA visit www.njymca.org.

*Times may vary by YMCA location.