Read Our Blog

Favorite Reads of the Y Community

Last week we celebrated Read Across America Week here at the Y!  YMCA members wrote down their favorite book and posted it on a wall in the lobby.  We compiled those favorite books into a reading list curated by our very own community.  

Picture Books

COVID-19: We All Play a Role in Keeping Our Community Healthy

For continued updates regarding COVID-19, please visit the Coronavirus Updates page.

Originally posted on 3/2/2020. Last updated on 3/6/2020.

Be good to your heart this Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! February is American Heart Month. Here are some tips to keep your heart healthy - in more ways than one!

Get Physical: Being physically active every day is fun and can improve the function of your heart! Find a friend to make the exercising double the fun!

Over 100 Volunteers Attend MLK Day of Service Event

Over 130 volunteers attended a Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service event at the West Suburban YMCA on January 20, 2020. The service event was a joint project between the West Suburban YMCA and The Second Step, with the goal of packing "blessing bags" for families and individuals who have been affected by domestic violence.

Anna's Story: The Chance to Participate

"My family moved to Newton three years ago when my husband took a job as a post-doc with a minimum NIH pay scale. At the time, we were still in the process of applying for permanent residence and I was not allowed to work. Since my husband is our only source of income, it has been hard to register our kids for activities.

Ranjana's Story: A Place to Connect

"I have been coming to the Y for one year and four months, but I wish I joined sooner. As someone who is retired, coming to the Y adds structure to my daily life. I participate in water aerobics, yoga two times a week, and attend the Keeping Fit class.

Aura Maria's Story: The Opportunity to Succeed

"I recently came to the United States from Colombia because I received a partial scholarship to UMass to study English full-time. I am staying with my friend Paola, who is like my sister, and her husband. I came here to improve my English and with that my professional profile, so I can have better job opportunities in my country. I came here with some money for my flight and a few savings.

Why Not the Y?

Trevor Williams

Many people do not know about the amazing work our Y does with low income housing for the formally homeless.  The Y has been leading the effort to solve important community issues such as homelessness.  For this Mission Moment, I wanted to share one story from a former resident:

West Suburban YMCA Nets Over $80,600 at “Saturday Night Fever” Annual Gala

Newton, MA – Over 200 people attended the West Suburban YMCA’s “Saturday Night Fever” gala on November 9, 2019 in support of the Y’s Annual Fund, which provides financial assistance for local families, individuals, children, and seniors to participate in the Y’s programs and services.

Friends for Life

Ben Kaloupek

Camp Chickami is a place where everyone is welcome and accepted.  This allows the campers to feel comfortable being their most authentic selves. Campers are all different, so encourage campers to be themselves and no matter what their personality. I want to share a wonderful example of the Chickami community embracing all who enter from this past summer.