Central Connecticut Coast YMCA

Make A Difference

As the leading nonprofit for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y works side-by-side with our neighbors every day to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. To do our important work, the Y relies on support from members, donors, volunteers and community leaders.

When you are involved with the Y, you help bring about lasting personal and social change. Whether you want to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve your or your family’s health and well-being, or give back and support your neighbors, your involvement with the Y will positively impact those in your community.

How Can I Support the Y?

There are many different ways to support the Y. You can help through financial giving through our annual campaign, a capital campaign or our Heritage Society. You can also give-in-kind, volunteer your time, and give online.

Make a Gift

The YMCA Is a Vital Part of the Bridgeport Community

Funds raised for the Bridgeport YMCA provide financial assistance for children, families and individuals to participate in their YMCA. From our summer camps and swim programs, to teen leadership and senior wellness, the YMCA provides a comprehensive array of health and human services.

As one of the largest and oldest charitable organizations in the region, you can rest assured that your designated gift remains in your community.

Other Ways to Give

The generosity of others is at the core of our existence. Not everyone is able to make a financial contribution to the organization, but everyone has the opportunity to get involved. When you volunteer at the Y, you take an active role in bringing about meaningful, enduring change in your own community. As a volunteer, you’ll be working with other caring, committed people who want to make a difference in your community.

To get involved, call 203.334.5551 or email tbartlett@cccymca.org.

Volunteer

What can I do?

Make a big difference!  The generosity of others is at the core of our existence. Volunteer opportunities at the Central Connecticut Coast YMCAs run the gambit, from one-time commitments such as helping at a special event to longer-term opportunities such as coaching youth and teen sports and tutoring youth.

Benefits of Volunteering with the YMCA

The Bridgeport YMCA offers volunteers a chance to improve the lives of children and families and to make our communities stronger. In addition to feeling great about your efforts, volunteers have the opportunity to:

• Experience personal growth
• Give back to the community through service to others
• Explore and/or discover a hidden passion
• Expand knowledge and skills through training
• Fulfill community service requirements for school credit
• Develop new relationships and make friends
• Gain community service experience to add to college, financial aid, scholarship and employment applications
• Learn, grow and HAVE FUN!

Volunteers are critically important to carrying out our mission, so we ask our program volunteers to go through an application and screening process similar to that of our paid staff members. This process ensures that the best fit is made between the new volunteer and the program they are matched with, while also ensuring the safety.

Volunteer Leadership

Focused on creating lasting personal and social change for our community

The Bridgeport YMCA is governed by our Board of Managers that consists of volunteers from throughout Bridgeport.

• Blanca Kazmierczak, People’s United Bank, Board Chair
• Pablo Colon, Radio Cumbre
• Jason Corsi, GE Capital
• Anita Gliniecki, Housatonic Community College
• Teron Haughton, TD Bank
• Kenneth Holmes, University of Bridgeport
• Heather Lange, Brody Wilkinson, PC
• Edward Lomax, ETL Design
• Charlie Nieves, AT & T
• Murray H Morse, Jr., Morse Marketing International
• James Rollinson, Dworken, Hillman, LaMorte & Sterczala, P.C.
• Ezequiel Santiago, Connecticut State Representative
• Rev. Sara Smith, United Congregational Church
• Corey Sneed, Prudential Insurance
• W. Parker Seeley, Seeley and Berglass, P.C.

Give Online

Since our founding, the Bridgeport YMCA has been dedicated to making a positive impact in people’s lives through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.  We see it happen every day.

But we haven’t done it alone.  Community leaders, businesses and Y members give to the annual Strong Kids Campaign to ensure we never turn anyone away due to an inability to pay.  Our annual Strong Kids Campaign provides the funds needed to make programs available, provide recreational learning and life-enhancing experiences that build strong kids, strong families and strong communities.

Last year, our Y reached out and helped more than 5,900 people across greater Bridgeport. Through donations from people like you, we provided $1.69 million in subsidized or free programs and services that foster youth development, promote healthy living, and encourage social responsibility.

Together, we can continue to build and strengthen our community by empowering people.

For the past 152 years, Bridgeport-ers have come to rely on us for child care, summer camp, physical education, scholarships for seniors, and other programs that help children and allow adults to grow and thrive regardless of age, income, gender, or background.

That’s because we’re more than “just a gym,” and this is not a “gift.” Your investment will make a meaningful, enduring impact in our community.

How Your Donation Makes an Impact:

$75 teaches one child life-saving skills by giving them a session of Swim Lessons.

$500 provides an opportunity for a low-income individual to access fitness equipment and aerobic programming all year long.

$1,000 allows ten teenagers to participate in our YMCA Nights in the City program for the school year.

$2,500 provides nine weeks of fun, recreation and social interaction for two children at our YMCA Summer Camp

$5,000 gives two children access to our licensed, NAEYC accredited preschool for a full year.

Donate now to the Bridgeport YMCA

Wish List

More than one way to give

Our current Wish List includes: