Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs

06/02/2026

At the YMCA, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. On May 26, the Old Colony YMCA took an important step toward making that vision a reality with the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the Sheehan-Cortelli Early Learning Center.

Hosted by President and CEO Charles Clifford, alongside the Old Colony YMCA Plymouth Branch Board of Governors and branch staff, the event brought together community leaders, advocates, and supporters who share a commitment to strengthening families and ensuring that children have access to quality early learning opportunities.

The celebration was honored by the presence of distinguished public officials, including Congressman Bill Keating, Representative Michelle Badger from the MA House of Representatives, and Senator Dylan Fernandes from the MA Senate. Their participation highlighted the importance of investing in early childhood education and demonstrated the strong community partnerships that help make transformative projects like this possible.

A particularly memorable moment came from the center’s preschoolers, whose joyful musical performance served as a reminder of the lives that will be impacted by this expansion. Their enthusiasm reflected the YMCA’s commitment to nurturing the potential of every child and creating environments where young learners can flourish. When completed, the expansion will provide access to early education and care services for 45 additional families, helping meet a critical community need while supporting parents and caregivers.

This groundbreaking is more than the start of a construction project—it is a promise to local families, an investment in the future of our children, and a testament to what can be achieved when community leaders, public officials, and the YMCA work together to create opportunities for all.

05/26/2026

Strong communities don’t just happen; they’re built by people who care. The YMCA empowers youth, promotes healthy living, and fosters social responsibility for all.

Sign up to become a Y Advocate today and make your community strong: https://ymca.quorum.us/action_center/

05/07/2026

Thanks to a $65,000 grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education, the Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs launched a STEM Week / Green Ys initiative to help young people and YMCA teams explore what a more sustainable, community-centered YMCA can look like. Through training, project design support, and hands-on planning with Gro, youth and staff developed local projects that connect STEM learning with real community needs.

Last night, we hosted our Showcase Event at YMCA Hayes Lodge in Hopkinton, where four YMCA teams presented projects designed to improve environmental sustainability, expand access, and strengthen community connection.

One team shared afterward that on the drive home, their youth could not stop talking about their presentations, the energy in the room, and how much fun they had sharing what they learned. That kind of excitement, confidence, and pride does not happen every day, and it’s exactly what made this event so special.

We were proud to celebrate:
Greater Holyoke YMCA — hydroponics to help address food security and clean water access
MetroWest YMCA— rain barrels for runoff pollution and water access at their outdoor center in Hopkinton
Attleboro Norton YMCA — an equitable and accessible playground made from recycled materials, plus a garden where education and life skills can take place
YMCA of Central Massachusetts — a community garden addressing community connection and social isolation

This initiative was about more than a single event. It was about giving young people the tools, support, and platform to design solutions for their communities and share their vision with confidence.

Thank you to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education for making this work possible, to Gro Dev for helping guide the process, and to the youth, staff, and partners who brought these projects to life.

05/01/2026

At Alliance, we are proud to highlight community partners and leaders who are working every day to advance early learning and expand opportunities for young children. This month, we are pleased to recognize a meaningful National Reading Month celebration in Haverhill.

On Tuesday, March 31st, Representative Andy Vargas visited the YMCA of the North Shore Haverhill Children’s Learning Center Pre-Kindergarten class to read with students and celebrate the importance of early literacy. His visit reflected a shared commitment across the community to ensure that every child develops strong reading skills from the very start of their educational journey.

Representative Vargas has been a strong advocate for early literacy initiatives in Haverhill, including his support for launching Haverhill Promise, a collaborative effort focused on ensuring that all students have the tools and support they need to achieve grade-level reading by the end of third grade. This initiative brings together educators, families, and community partners to strengthen early learning systems and improve long-term academic outcomes.

At Alliance, we know that moments like these matter. Reading aloud to young learners not only builds foundational literacy skills but also fosters curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. Community engagement—whether through policymakers, educators, or local partners—plays a critical role in making these experiences possible.

04/16/2026

This week, Ys across the state are coming together for the Five Days of Action campaign.

Held April 13–17, 2026, Five Days of Action® is a national effort focused on raising awareness and encouraging adults to take an active role in preventing child sexual abuse. It’s a powerful reminder that protecting children is a shared responsibility.

With support from partners like the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), Praesidium, Lauren’s Kids, and the National Children’s Alliance, the campaign provides resources and guidance to help families and communities stay informed and proactive.

This year’s theme highlights something many families face every day—helping kids navigate the digital world safely and with confidence. From setting boundaries online to recognizing potential risks, small conversations can make a big difference.

Throughout the week, our Ys will be sharing tools, ideas, and activities to bring this campaign to life. We invite you to join us—learn more, get involved, and help create safer, stronger communities for every child.

04/03/2026

The Alliance of MA YMCAs was proud to stand alongside our early education allies to celebrate an exciting milestone for the field!

We were honored to join Dr. Stephen Zrike Jr., newly appointed Secretary of Education, Commissioner Ortega, Commissioner Kershaw, Chair Michlewitz, and Leader Peisch for a special event highlighting the Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Loan Repayment Program—the first state initiative dedicated exclusively to supporting early education and care professionals.

Hosted at Ellis Early Learning in Boston, this announcement marks a major step forward in investing in the educators who make a difference in the lives of children and families every day.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has officially opened applications for this groundbreaking program, developed in partnership between the Departments of Higher Education (DHE) and Early Education and Care (EEC). This is a meaningful opportunity to support and strengthen the early education workforce.

04/01/2026

On Tuesday, March 31, the Massachusetts Afterschool Caucus — co-chaired by Representative Adrian Madaro and Senator Brendan Crighton — convened at the State House to highlight the powerful impact of out-of-school time funding. The Alliance of YMCAs was proud to share how YMCAs across the Commonwealth are bringing our mission to life through these critical investments.

Across 28 YMCA Associations, this funding supports 200+ afterschool sites and 150+ camps, serving over 103,000 youth statewide, with a strong focus on ensuring access for low- and moderate-income families and youth of color.

This is what our mission looks like in action. ASOST funding expands access to high-quality, affordable programs, strengthens youth mental and behavioral health supports, and provides financial assistance so every child has the opportunity to belong and thrive. For many families, these programs are also a critical source of food security and stability.

These programs keep kids safe during critical out-of-school hours, help close opportunity gaps, and empower young people to build the skills they need for a successful future.

Together, we are strengthening communities and creating opportunities for all.

03/25/2026

03/19/2026

Always a great day to advocate for Early Education & Care and School Age Programs!

The Alliance is proud to stand alongside our early education partners at the Massachusetts Association of Early Education & Care MADCA Advocacy Day 2026, raising our voices for the children, families, and educators who depend on these critical programs.

A special thank you to Senate President Karen Spilka, Joint Committee on Education Chair Kenneth Gordon, and all the legislators who continue to make early education a priority. Together, we’re building a stronger future!

03/10/2026