About Us
Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges l New Jersey
Welcome to the Y.
We're an inclusive organization of community members joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living, and fostering a sense of social responsibility.
As the largest association of YMCAs in the State of New Jersey, the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges has an amazing opportunity to enrich the lives of thousands of children, families, and individuals through programs that build spirit, mind, and body. Our YMCA branches offer a diverse and unique array of programs for people of all ages including child care, summer camps, wellness, aquatics and before and after school programs just to name a few.
At the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges, we pride ourselves on ensuring that no one is ever turned away from one of our programs because they can not afford to participate. We accomplish this goal through the Annual Campaign. Each year, contributions made to the Annual Campaign go directly to provide program support and financial assistance to deserving individuals, families, and children in our YMCA’s service area. We urge you to help support this worthy cause and consider making a donation to this year’s Annual Campaign.
Our Cause Defines Us
We know that lasting personal and social change comes about when we all work together. That’s why, at the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
Our Strength is in Community
The Y is a nonprofit like no other. That’s because in 10,000 neighborhoods across the nation, we have the presence and partnerships to not just promise, but deliver positive change.
-
The Y is community-centered. For 175 years, we’ve been listening and responding to our communities.
-
The Y brings people together. We connect people of all ages and backgrounds to bridge the gaps in community needs.
-
The Y nurtures potential. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
-
The Y has a local presence and global reach. We mobilize local communities to effect lasting, meaningful change.
Resources
-
Blog
-
Employment
The YMCA achieves its missions one person at a time. The greatest source of energy for the YMCA is our staff. Our staff contributes to the advancement of the YMCA vision by meeting the needs of the people in our communities. Guided daily by the core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility, our staff creates an environment where everyone aspires to be their best.
Where can you find meaningful work that offers rich rewards? Where can you, simultaneously, build a better future for yourself and for kids, families, and your community? Where can you work with people who thrive in a values-based environment of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility?
All of this can be found at a YMCA. YMCAs get the job done through staff members who are carefully selected for their interests, skills, and enthusiasm. With over 150 years of experience, YMCAs know that the mission is achieved one person at a time-carried out in the hearts and hands of each caring and competent staff member.
-
Financial Assistance
Y For All
Financial assistance keeps the Y accessible for children, adults, and families who need us most. We count on the generosity of our members and community to help people of all ages and from all walks of life be more healthy, confident, connected, and secure. When you give to the Y, your gift will have a meaningful, enduring impact right in your own neighborhood.
The Y is the unparalleled cause for strengthening community because we are the community. We are a powerful association of men, women and children joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility. We believe that lasting personal and social change can only come about when we all work together to invest in our kids, our health, and our neighbors. That’s why, at the Y, strengthening community is our cause.
-
Our History
On October 15, 1885, industrialist Samuel Colgate, revivalist Dwight L. Moody, and YMCA professional Sumner F. Dudley convened a group of church leaders to charter a YMCA "for civic and cultural improvements to the Oranges."
This YMCA's first home was a small house on Main Street in Orange next to the North Orange Baptist Church, which was named the Central Branch YMCA. Within two years, a small building was built on the north side of Main Street, and in 1900, an addition was added as it became obvious the small building was no longer meeting the community's needs. The building was completely renovated in 1924 and the Metcalf Natatorium was constructed. Thomas A. Edison, one of our members in the early days, gave this building its electric lights. The Orange facility functioned until 1985 when it was reluctantly closed due to financial and other considerations.
As early as 1890, the Oakwood Branch was organized to meet the needs of the growing urban population in the Oranges. Over the 70 years of Oakwood's service and influence, much of its success can be credited to a long line of dedicated, faithful and unselfish laymen. A few stalwarts who stand out noticeably, and who have made an indelible impression on the lives of others through their contributions of service include Amos Marsh, Rev. James Churchman, William T. Thomas, William H. Christian, Isaiah King, A.E. Rooney, Rev. J. R. Thompson, Dr. William H. Sutherland, H.B. Hipkins, John Farley, Dr. Theodore R. Inge, Dr. Harold Scott, T. Colson Woody, Ernest Young, and Rudolph C. Gill.
In 1932, a modern building was completed on Oakwood Avenue, but in 1949 it suffered a severe setback when an explosion nearly demolished it. The membership dropped and the leadership was discouraged and disorganized. The difficult job of putting together the pieces of a badly battered institution was necessary when Rudolph N. Hawkins was hired as the executive. Under his guidance, the Branch again flourished.
The Oakwood Branch went through another transitional period as an aftermath of the construction of Route 280, which necessitated the razing of the Oakwood building, as well as the Russell Colgate building. To maintain some form of YMCA service to the community, the Association's Board of Directors formed an Extension Community Service Branch, which was given the responsibility of carrying the YMCA services to the community. In addition, they were assigned the task of finding a location, which would be suitable for a new facility in the East Orange area.
The Turrell Fund donated the site of Margaret and Herbert Turrell's homestead on the corner of North Arlington and William Streets in East Orange. The facility, as it was developed, served as a model for the changing philosophy of the YMCA service. In 1978, the East Orange Turrell Branch achieved national prominence by being designated by the National Council of YMCAs as the nation's most outstanding example of a YMCA operated by minorities for underprivileged youth.
In 1973, the YMCA had an opportunity to purchase a garage and parking lot on North Munn Avenue in the back of the East Orange Turrell Center. This lot was operated as a parking facility for a number of years until we raised enough capital to build a gymnasium. With funds contributed by The Turrell Fund and other supporters, a gymnasium was built and dedicated on September 28, 1980. In October 2004, the East Orange YMCA Turrell Teen Center was opened, creating a safe haven for East Orange youth.
In the summer of 1915, the first camp of its kind serving the Orange area was started with a group of fifteen boys who were recruited from the West Orange Chapel of the Central Presbyterian Church. This trial camp began as a two-week experiment. The two donated tents for this first encampment were pitched beside a cottage (which was later the caretaker's cottage) and used as the dining hall.
The Colgate family, having been instrumental supporters throughout our YMCA's history, donated property in Sussex County in 1916 to give this camp a permanent home. This first tract of land, known as the Whittle property, was purchased for the camp by Austen Colgate and consisted of 158 acres. Colgate also donated the money to build the Kittatinny Lodge in 1917. The Turrell Fund, another long-time supporter of the YMCA, provided the financial resources to purchase an additional 100 acres of property in 1971. This property, which today makes up Fairview Lake YMCA, was added to many times over the years, and the Camp is now comprised of 600 acres.
In 1968, the trustees voted to build Laurel Ridge Camp and with that, girls were admitted for the first time as campers. As the association continued to expand the ORYMCA Camp (Orange YMCA) as it was first known, increasingly served youth from beyond the Orange area, as a result, in 1976 its name was changed to Fairview Lake YMCA Camps and Conference Center.
In the early 1980s, Fairview Lake YMCA Camps and Conference Center became a leader in environmental education programming, offering overnight and day trips to schools wishing to complement their classroom-based studies with hands-on experience. Today, they are the largest provider of Environmental Education in the state of New Jersey.
In 1970, a group of parents from South Orange and Maplewood became disturbed about what was occurring in the teen-age world relative to drugs, alcohol and other anti-social behavior. Discovering that the problems that many associate exclusively with the inner cities are also problems of suburbia, they approached the YMCA to see about forming a Branch in their community. A Board of Management was formed, an executive hired, and soon the newly formed South Mountain YMCA was operating programs such as Indian Guides and Princesses, aerobics and youth sports in rented facilities.
In 1976, the YMCA purchased the Sillocks-Miller factory buildings on West Parker Avenue in Maplewood and razed the large factory. The low brick buildings in the back were renovated and used for program rooms and offices. Soon the Branch established a nursery school and daycare center. Property on Jefferson Street behind this building was purchased and an old construction garage was converted to a gymnasium dedicated in 1981 with a house converted to the South Mountain YMCA's office.
The South Mountain YMCA has grown significantly over the years. In June 1999, the South Mountain YMCA formally dedicated a new 18,000 square foot Child Care and Program Center at its Maplewood location,
The Sussex County YMCA began in 1976 as a community outreach program from their sister branch, Fairview Lake YMCA. The programs were a big hit, and by 1980 the Sussex County YMCA received its official charter and the new Y continued their programs in satellite facilities throughout the county. incorporating all preschool through kindergarten Child Care Programs under one roof. Then in September 2003, they expanded their programs by opening a new Full Day Kindergarten program at another location on Valley Street in South Orange.
Then, in 1995 a feasibility study concluded that a full-service YMCA was not only possible, but was actually in very high demand, and so began the YMCA’s planning and fundraising efforts. In May 1999, the Sussex County YMCA celebrated the achievement of raising $1 million towards the new Sussex County YMCA to be built on property donated by Northwest Covenant Hospital in Hardyston Township.
After nearly ten years of planning and a year and a half of construction the Sussex County YMCA, which everyone is familiar with today, opened their doors to an eager Sussex County in January 2005. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of former President & CEO, W. Daniel McCain and Carl “Bud” Luthman from the Sussex County YMCA Board of Managers, the new 32,500 square foot Sussex County YMCA now stands poised as a Branch with great future potential.
In 1993, the YMCA of the Oranges, Maplewood, West Essex, and Sussex County, officially changed its name to the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges.
September 2011, after more than a year of fact-finding, due diligence and strategic planning, the YM-YWHA of North Jersey's Board of Directors unanimously approved the plan to partner with the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges. The YM-YWHA of North Jersey is now the Wayne YMCA, the newest branch of the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges.
What people know today as the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges is actually a far cry from our humble beginning over a century ago. Today, the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges is the largest association of YMCAs in the state of New Jersey, serving over 181,000 members and program participants annually. A lot has changed in the last 125 years, but one thing remains constant… our mission to strengthen the community.
-
Our Impact
At the Y, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. We strive to give everyone the opportunity to test their own limits, explore new goals and reach their fullest potential.
Stories of Impact
We take pride in the work we do in the community we serve. Our stories of impact go well beyond one person - each life we positively impact affects so many others in turn. And every year, there are new stories to tell. Do you know of a story that needs to be told? Please share it with us.
Many of the Y stories are made possible through community support. When you give to the Y, 100% of your gift goes to programs and financial assistance for children, families, and individuals in need. Together, we can close the achievement gap, promote healthy lifestyles, and provide life-changing experiences to families. Help transform lives by donating today!
Our People
While our programs and facilities are always based on the unique needs and interests of our communities, every Y has one thing in common: our people. We count on the generosity of our members and partners to keep our doors open to whomever needs a place to go to help them be healthier, confident, connected, and secure.
Our Annual Community Support Campaign
Having a Y membership is one way you support our nonprofit charitable organization, but did you know that membership dollars do not cover all of the cost needed to keep high-impact programs running? That is why donating to the Annual Community Support Campaign is so important. The Annual Community Support Campaign raises dollars to keep programs running and ensures the Y remains affordable to all who wish to participate.
-
Our Leadership
Professional Staff Members
Richard K. Gorab, President / CEO
Edward G. Philipp, Senior Vice President / COO
Alisa D. Vural, Chief Financial Officer
Shamida Marc, Chief Human Resources Officer
Deborah Kessler, Chief Development Officer
Greg Albers, Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Brian Sheafer, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives
Joe Penska, Director of Information Technology
Tim Smith, Controller
Bill Sanfilippo, Director of Business Development
Leah Greene, Interim Executive Director, East Orange YMCA
Marc Koch, District Executive Director, Fairview Lake YMCA Camps
Jason Kelly, Executive Director, New Milford YMCA Program Center
James Goodger, District Executive Director, South Mountain YMCA
Corey Brown, Executive Director, Sussex County YMCA
Cheryl Tuturice, District Executive Director, West Essex YMCABoard of Directors
Peter H. Tanella, Chairman
Dan Borgna, Vice Chairman
Jose Briones, Treasurer
Reyna Burger, Secretary
Daren Phil, Immediate Past Chairman
Richard K. Gorab, President/CEODan Borgna, VP, The Dale Group
Jose Briones, Senior Partner PennantPark
Reyna Burger, President, Suburban Consulting Engineers
John Conforti, President, Air Group LLC
Valerie W. Crawford*, Owner, Livingston Collision, Inc.
Mike D’Alessandro, Market Business Director, Optimum
Kristi D’Angeli, CEO and Founder, Jersey Staffing
Chris Erb, Executive Vice President, Russo Development
William Esposito, Hypelite
Stacey Staaterman Feeney, Founder & CEO, Staaterman Coaching & Consulting
Shannon Fischer, Senior Tax Manager - Fulton, Menfi, Frega, Staubinger & Berlamino
Ted Foung, Consultant, CapGemini
Jose A. Galvan, Managing Director, Natixis
Paul A. Gomperz* , Voluntary Benefit Systems of America
Staci Grant, VP Benefits Division, Henry O. Baker Insurance Group
Christel Hyden, Ed.D., Public Health Research Consultant
Matthew B. Jarmel, Principal, Jarmel Kizel Architects and Engineers, Inc.
Branden Jones, Managing Director & CMO, BlackRock Aladdin
Jonathan Kristofich, Vice President, NAI Hanson
Mark Lewis, Managing Director & Sr. Banker, J.P. Morgan Private Bank
Sameer Malhotra, Malhotra Development LLC, Managing Member
Stephen M. Mellett, Sr., President/Co-Founder, Vericon Construction Company
Andrew Pfaff, Sovereign/Santander Bank/Santander Holdings USA
Daren J. Phil, Executive VP, Suburban Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Toni Pinkett
William R. Ruhl, Physics & STEM Teacher, Golda Och Academy
Peter Schofel, Partner/Owner, Eastman Companies
Ronald Schwarz*, Retired Sr. EVP/Chief Operating Officer, Lakeland Bank
Alex Serrano, CPA, Co-Managing Partner, Citrin Cooperman
Peter H. Tanella, Esq., Attorney, Mandelbaum Barrett
Himanshu (Hams) Tripathi, Vice President, Kushner
Stuart Vorcheimer, SMD/Market President, Peapack-Gladstone Bank
Marlene Waldock, Owner/President 1st Impressions Communication
Christopher Wolverton, Partner/Principal, HQW Architects
Jennifer Yager, Valley Bank* Emeritus
-
Our Mission
OUR MISSION: Strengthen community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility
As the largest YMCA Association in the State of New Jersey, the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges is a powerful association of members, volunteers, and staff who are joined together by a shared passion to strengthen the foundation of the communities we serve. The YMCA is dedicated to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility which, ensures that every individual has access to the essentials needed to learn, grow and thrive. Serving more than 35,000 members and program participants, the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.
Our Cause
The Y is a cause-driven organization that is for youth development, for healthy living, and for social responsibility. That’s because a strong community can only be achieved when we invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors.
Our Areas of Impact
The Y is a cause-driven organization that is for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. That’s because a strong community can only be achieved when we invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: Empowering young people to reach their full potential
HEALTHY LIVING: Improving individual and community well-being
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Providing support and inspiring action in our communities
-
Our Financials
Our Impact is Felt Every Day
With a mission to strengthen the whole community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility programs and services that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body, our impact is felt when an individual makes a healthy choice, when a mentor inspires a child, and when a community comes together for the common good.
2024 990 Form
2023 990 Form
2022 990 Form2024 Audited Financial Statement
2023 Audited Financial Statement
2022 Audited Financial Statement -
Donor Newsletter
Mission Promises
Donor Newsletter
Connect With Us
METRO YMCA OF THE ORANGES ACCREDITATIONS
