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From the Desk of David Fagerstrom, President/CEO

 

 

Dear Greater Valley YMCA Member,

 

Since our beginning in 1858, the Greater Valley YMCA has worked side-by-side with our neighbors to strengthen our community and we are committed to continuing this tradition. With my upcoming retirement at the end of August, our board of directors has carefully considered options for leading our Y toward a strong future of growth and service to our community. After many months of due diligence, we have decided to enter into a management agreement with our neighbors to the south and east, YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties.    

Under the agreement, YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties will provide executive leadership, including a CEO, for our Y. Greater Valley YMCA and YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties have a common mission and commitment to serving our members, program participants and children in our care with excellence. This is an opportunity to share resources and best practices, and to explore the possible benefits of merging the organizations with the goal of providing greater benefit and impact to the communities we serve.

You can learn more in the Frequently Asked Questions section below. If you have additional questions, please stop at our Welcome Center and a member of our staff will be glad to assist you.

We are excited about this new partnership and the opportunities it will provide to strengthen the communities we serve, the members and families we support, and the staff we employ.

In Service,

 

David Fagerstrom

President/CEO

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

About the Management Agreement

Why is this happening now?
With the retirement of our longtime President/Chief Executive Officer at the end of August, the Greater Valley YMCA board of directors is considering opportunities to lead the Y toward a future of sustainability, growth and service to the community. The management agreement with YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties represents the first step in this process. 

 

What will happen during the management agreement? 

The agreement between the two Ys will be for YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties (YBHC) to provide management oversight in the absence of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Greater Valley YMCA (GVY). Zane Moore, President/CEO of YBHC, will manage GVY under this agreement. During this time, the two Ys will explore the possible benefits of merging the organizations. Exploration will include assessing organizational alignment, shared resources and efficiencies, opportunities for learning from proven practices, potential for collaborative mission programs and much more. The goal is to strengthen both Ys, providing greater benefit and impact to the communities we serve. 

What happens after the management agreement?
The management agreement will begin September 1, 2023. Following a six month period of due diligence, the boards of both organizations will assess next steps which may include an extension of the management agreement or a decision to merge the two YMCAs into one organization.  

 

Programs and Services

Will anything change at my Y? 
During the time of the management agreement, you may see and meet new faces. Staff from both Ys will be working together to share best practices and to learn from one another. We assure you that member service and engagement will remain our focus and any changes will be driven by enhancing our service and ability to deliver on our mission.  

 

How will this affect my membership?

There are no plans to change our membership structure, value or fees due to the management agreement. We will continue to evaluate the membership options we provide as well as the value included with membership and may choose to make adjustments based on enhancing services and the costs of operating our facilities and programs.  

 

Will GVY continue to offer its free mission-based programs?

Our mission programs like the Warming Station, Free Meals, Senior Hub, etc. are at the core of who are as an organization driven to meet the needs of our communities. We remain committed to serving our families, friends and neighbors through these programs. 

 

If I give to Greater Valley YMCA, does my donation support my local Y? 

We have a deep appreciation for all of our donors, supporters and partners. All donations will continue to support the Greater Valley YMCA, your local community and our programs; all donations will be used as they were intended. Your donations continue to be critical in supporting the Y’s mission, which is needed now more than ever as many families in our community recovering from the pandemic, find connection and support at our Y. 

Will the name of my Y change?
There are no plans to change the name of either Y organization during the management agreement.

 

About YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties

Who is YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties?
In Pennsylvania, YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties operates member branches in Doylestown, Fairless Hills, Newtown, Quakertown and Warminster, with child care centers in Morrisville, New Britain, New Hope and Quakertown. In New Jersey, the Y includes the Deer Path Branch in Flemington, with child care centers in Annandale and Milford. Outdoor camp properties include Camp Carr in Clinton Township, NJ and Holland Outdoor Center in Holland, PA. Additionally, YBHC operates 20 School Age Child Care programs throughout its service areas on both sides of the river.

Annually, YBHC serves over 49,000 members and participants across Bucks and Hunterdon Counties. YBHC provides over $5 million of community impact annually in the form of financial assistance to individuals and families in need, as well as free programming for veterans, cancer survivors, older adults and more. 

Can I visit the YMCA of Bucks County locations?
Yes, Greater Valley YMCA members are able to visit membership branches of YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties through the YMCA Nationwide Reciprocity program. Branches are located in Fairless Hills, Quakertown, Doylestown, Warminster and Newtown in PA, and Flemington, NJ. 

Visit their website to learn more.