HARTFORD, Conn. (June 26, 2018) – On Thursday, June 21, 2018, the United Bank Foundation presented the Wilson-Gray YMCA Youth and Family Center with a $25,000 check to support its Teen Incentive Program (Y-TIP). The grant helps support the program’s ongoing success in benefitting under-served, at-risk teenagers from Hartford's Clay-Arsenal and Upper Albany neighborhoods. Y-TIP helps teens ages 11-18 overcome challenges to their success, including gangs, violence, drugs and other harmful and self-destructive influences. Harold Sparrow, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Hartford, said, “Thank you to the United Bank Foundation for aiding us in our mission to build strong communities. Supporting our youth is the best way to ensure a positive future for all Hartford residents, and I am proud to help inspire the teens from our community to engage in positive activities, which will aid them in achieving their educational, employment and personal goals.”

Our latest #HumansoftheY story comes from Nick at the Wheeler YMCA, who has been a member for more than a year now and always has a smile and a positive outlook! He stops to chat with any of the MSRs working at the front desk and always has something interesting to share, like pictures of his new kayak that he’s excited to start using in the summer, or fun facts. But it's his life story that makes Nick unique: “I work at a state group home and am also in the U.S. Coast Guard and I come here to get away from it all. I come to the Y to socialize, hang out, and get connected to my home community after being at Eastern CT State University. Coming over here to the Y, you work out, you never quit, never give up and you have a lot of fun and get to meet a lot of new people!”

Our next #HumansoftheY story comes from the Downtown Hartford YMCA, and this time features one of our employees, Dan: Dan has opened the doors at the Downtown YMCA for more than 40 years. He's known for his harmonica skills, whistling while he works, and overall friendly attitude. Dan has not only worked on the fitness floor and taught group exercise classes, but he has also created lifelong friendships with members and staff from being a long time employee at the Downtown YMCA.

Our next #humansofthey story comes from a pastor who visits the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center MULTIPLE times EVERY day, making him our most-frequent visitor! Meet Father John O’Neill, a beloved member of the Northeast Connecticut community: Father John has been the pastor of St. James Church in Danielson since 1991. He presides over too many weddings to count (including the recent wedding of two Y members – who he met in the pool!) and he can be found rubbing elbows with prominent members of the community at local fundraising events and award ceremonies.

Our next story for #HumansoftheY is about Lauren from Wilson-Gray YMCA Youth and Family Center! Lauren is a college senior at Springfield College, but she's ready to join the YMCA family when she graduates! Lauren is minoring in a special program called YMCA Professional Studies, which is helping her prepare for a lifelong career with the Y.

Our next #HumansoftheY story comes from Linda at the Farmington Valley YMCA! "In the Fall of 2012 my Y story, which is all about divine intervention, began as my beautiful life journey with my wonderful husband, Stephen, took a major detour. I was diagnosed with a somewhat rare cancer, one that most people have never heard of. It was life changing to say the least, and I’m beyond grateful to continue writing the chapters of my life story.

Our second “Humans at the Y” is a family with quite the unique history, as well as some exciting ambitions for the future! Garrett, Tayvia, Montana and Sierra are members of the Indian Valley Family YMCA, and visited the facility on Martin Luther King Jr. Day with their cousin, Ryland. Here are some interesting facts about the family:

NEW: We are launching Humans of the Y, a series of stories about our members, from our members. At the Y, we are all about building strong communities, and we think it's important to recognize the people who make up those communities! Our first story comes from Jessica, a member of the Farmington Valley YMCA, who was a Y member, left to go to another gym for several years, and then came back last December:

Annual YMCA Internacional Fiesta August 5th, 5-7pm Camp Chase YMCA

Ramping Up Our Training With a day off on Tuesday last week, Monday was a perfect day for a tough workout. Eleven of our race4chasers cranked out some running hill repeats followed by an easy endurance run. The week’s focus was to start building endurance, and that focus will continue into this week.