National Nonprofit Day
August 17 is National Nonprofit Day, making it the perfect opportunity to celebrate the incredible work nonprofits do throughout the Merrimack Valley, and to share how your support of the Y makes a real difference for your neighbors.
But many people think the YMCA is just a gym.
Our Y provides an environment that celebrates diversity, advances equity, and reflects inclusion for all, both inside and outside our walls. Our Y welcomes our community to show up authentically, to speak up courageously, and create a space for all to be, belong, and become.
Let’s bust some myths, shall we?
Myth #1: The Y is just a gym.
Sure, you’ll find treadmills, dumbbells, basketball courts, and swimming pools. But you’ll also find so much more.
At the Andover/North Andover branch, you’ll find cancer survivors regaining strength and confidence through our free 12-week LIVESTRONG program. You may also see our Y-Abilities programs in action, where individuals of all abilities can fully participate in everything the Y has to offer.
At the Lawrence branch, you may find families receiving food through our food pantry—no questions asked. Or you’ll see local teens building leadership skills, finding their voices, and making a difference in their community.
At the Methuen branch, you’ll find children spending their day with extraordinary teachers and caregivers in our Early Education and After School programs. Or maybe you’ll see a kindergartener picking up a basketball for the very first time.
The Merrimack Valley YMCA is so much more than a gym. We’re proud to provide programs and services that strengthen spirit, mind, and body for all.
Myth #2: If I can’t afford the Y, I can’t participate.
At the Y, no one is turned away because of an inability to pay!
At the Merrimack Valley YMCA, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. We recognize that every individual and family has unique circumstances, which is why we are committed to ensuring that financial barriers never stand in the way of accessing the programs, services, and support our Y provides.
Through our Financial Assistance Program, eligible individuals and families may receive support toward Merrimack Valley YMCA memberships and programs, making it possible to enjoy a healthier lifestyle, build meaningful connections, and participate in opportunities that strengthen our community.
Myth #3: My membership dues count as my donation.
Your membership keeps the doors open. Your donation opens the doors for someone else.
Your monthly membership helps keep the lights on, the buildings open, and our dedicated staff serving the community. But scholarships and our Financial Assistance Program are only possible because of the generosity of donors who support our Annual Campaign.
When you make a gift to the Merrimack Valley YMCA, you’re creating opportunities for your neighbors—whether that’s sending a child to camp, helping someone learn life-saving swim skills, or giving a busy parent the chance to take a group exercise class, perhaps the only hour they have to themselves all week.
Whether you choose to support a specific branch, food insecurity, camp, housing, teen programs, or where the need is greatest, every gift makes an impact. We’re grateful for every donation, no matter the size.
Real stories, real impact, real belonging.
Before the camp season officially started, hundreds of fourth-grade students from five Lawrence Public Schools spent time outdoors at Camp Otter as part of the YMCA’s annual Outdoor Education program. For many students, this program provides opportunities to try these activities for the very first time.
Read More »
Every year in June, athletes, families, and volunteers gather for the Special Olympics Massachusetts Summer Games. Athletes from the Merrimack Valley YMCA’s Y-Abilities programs participated in the Powerlifting event on June 6 at Harvard’s Palmer Dixon building, where they performed a combination of the Squat, Bench Press and Deadlift.
Read More »
Thanks to the incredible generosity and determination of our participants and supporters of our recent Gauntlet for Good event, we raised $9,255 to benefit LIVESTRONG at the YMCA.
Read More »
