Financial Assistance Available for YMCA Programs and Memberships
The Y believes that everyone—regardless of age, income, or background—should have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. To help make this possible, financial assistance is available to enable participation in Y programs.
Eligible individuals or families must live or work in Westfield, Cranford, Garwood, or Mountainside and complete a financial assistance application. Scholarship applications are available at all Westfield Area YMCA locations, at the Cranford YMCA, or online at www.westfieldynj.org/financial-assistance.
“The YMCA’s financial assistance program was a lifeline for us,” shared Christina, whose family receives financial assistance at the Y. “It has allowed us to enroll our children in programs they love, relieving a significant financial burden and enabling our kids to participate in activities that have positively impacted their physical health, social skills, and overall well-being. We are forever grateful.”
The Westfield Area YMCA offers a variety of programs for all ages, including:
■ Early Learning for children 6 months to 5 years, plus full-day Kindergarten, Kindergarten Wraparound, and before/after care for children in K–5th grade. Child Care programs provide a caring, safe, and stimulating environment to learn age-appropriate skills.
■ Land and Water Fitness Classes that are free with membership. Land classes include lite/low impact, mind & body, strength, cardio, and combo/hybrid formats. Water fitness classes are available for all levels with both shallow- and deep-water options.
■ Swim Lessons for youth and adults that teach not only swimming skills and safety, but also confidence, endurance, and a lifelong love for the water. Lessons accommodate all skill levels, fostering achievement as swimmers progress.
■ Youth Sports Classes and Leagues that emphasize teamwork, personal growth, and fun while focusing on the life lessons sports can teach. Coaches prioritize building a positive self-image in every player.
■ Additional Programs and Activities including summer camp, teen leadership programs, fitness clinics, open gym, open swim, pickleball, racquetball, and more—offering opportunities for all ages to stay active, learn new skills, and connect with others.
For one teen, Gaby, receiving financial assistance meant the chance to participate in the Y’s Model United Nations program, which educates high school students on global issues and the complexities of international diplomacy through academic simulation. “The YMCA’s MUN program changed everything for me. I built the skills and confidence to lead, and was even elected Secretary-General. None of it would have been possible without financial aid from the Y.”
Financial assistance is made possible thanks to the generosity of individuals, foundations, and corporate donors. The Westfield Area YMCA’s Strong Kids+ Campaign is an annual campaign that raises money for scholarships, ensuring that no one who qualifies with a bona fide financial hardship is turned away for inability to pay. Programs for underserved groups are also subsidized to ensure they are available to all. The Y hosts a number of events that benefit Strong Kids+, accepts donations year-round, and offers other opportunities to help make a difference in the lives of individuals and families in the community. To learn more, visit www.westfieldynj.org/give.
The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Westfield Area YMCA strives to make its programs accessible to all.