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Celebrating 140 years
1885–2025

IMPACT REPORT 2025

A year of milestones, celebrating 140 years of service, breaking ground on the new West Essex YMCA, and deepening our commitment to mental health, child safety, and community across four counties.
From Our Leadership

A Letter to Our Community

Dear YMCA Members, Friends, and Partners,

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire Metro YMCA leadership team, we are proud to share this reflection on a remarkable year.

In 2025, we marked our 140th anniversary of serving this community: 140 years of open doors, of lives changed. The Y that exists today, with its branches, its camps, its reach into schools and neighborhoods, grew from a seed planted in 1885 by people who believed that a stronger community was possible. We are their legacy. And the work we do today is the legacy we are building for those who come after us.

For me, 2025 will always hold special meaning. It was the year I announced that my time as President and CEO would come to a close at the end of 2026. After four decades with this Y, I could not have imagined a more meaningful final chapter.

A Year of Remarkable Accomplishment

This year delivered results that reflect the strength of this organization at every level. We exceeded our operating budget by $223,000, produced a net surplus of $830,000, and achieved a consolidated gain of $5.5 million. We surpassed our Annual Support Campaign goal, raising nearly $4 million in contributed income. Additionally, we invested more than $11 million in land, buildings, and equipment improvements.

We eliminated barriers to joining the Y by providing $6 million in direct financial assistance, public support, and community benefits, reaching nearly 7,000 individuals.

"For the 14th consecutive year, Charity Navigator recognized us as a 4-star charity, a distinction earned by only 1% of nonprofits nationwide."

Our camps had a record-breaking summer camp season, and Fairview Lake welcomed an additional 25,000 guests throughout the year.  And our 31st Golf Outing generated a record surplus, ensuring that the Y's financial assistance program is available to every child who wants to go to camp.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

Built to Last

Of everything that happened in 2025, nothing speaks more directly to legacy than the groundbreaking of the new West Essex YMCA in Livingston. This 56,000 square foot facility — the largest YMCA built in Essex County in half a century — will be a cornerstone for health, wellness, and connection for generations to come.

The West Essex project is part of a broader chapter of physical growth that includes a $1.6 million renovation of the Fairview Lake YMCA Dining Hall and plans for the expansion of the Sussex County YMCA. Together, these investments are laying the foundation for a stronger YMCA; one that will continue to serve and strengthen our communities long into the future. That is what it means to be here for good.

Passing the Baton

The Board and I named Ed Philipp, our long-term SVP and COO, my successor as President and CEO. I have full confidence that Ed will lead our Y boldly into the future, and the strength of the team around him makes that future even brighter.

"We move into the next chapter with confidence and momentum."

Our recently completed 2026–2028 Strategic Plan provides a roadmap built for the future that these leaders will shape. We move into the next chapter with confidence and momentum.

Gratitude

The future of the Metro YMCA is unlimited. I believe that as strongly today as I did when I became CEO in 2005 and I am proud to have been part of an organization that changes lives every day.

I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support of our volunteer boards, dedicated staff, and community members. To our members, donors, and partners: thank you for being an essential part of this journey. To our staff, past and present: you are the Y.

The Y has served for 140 years, and it will serve for 140 more — because the need for community, for belonging, for the opportunity to grow, never goes away. We will always be here. We will always be here for good.

 

With profound gratitude,

Rick Gorab

Chief Executive Officer
Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges

Peter H. Tanella

Chairman of the Board

 
 
Recognition

Impact Highlights

Metro YMCA 140th anniversary

Celebrating Legacy

Metro YMCA of the Oranges marked 140 years of serving the community. Fairview Lake YMCA Camps celebrated its 110th anniversary, South Mountain YMCA its 55th, and Sussex County YMCA its 20th.

Groundbreaking at the new West Essex YMCA

Breaking Ground on What's Next

We celebrated major milestones — the financing, groundbreaking, and steel-raising — at the future home of the new West Essex YMCA in Livingston.

Y staff supporting mental health programs

Showing Up for Mental Health

More than 400 staff members are now certified in Mental Health First Aid, QPR Suicide Prevention, and/or the Nurtured Heart Approach®. We responded to 400 youth behavior support requests and hosted 40 adult education workshops this year.

Child safety at the Y

A Gold Standard in Child Safety

Continued to elevate our standards in child abuse prevention with our three-year accreditation by Praesidium, Inc., the leader in abuse risk management.

Charity Navigator four-star rating

Top Charity Rating

Charity Navigator recognized us as a 4-star charity for the 14th consecutive year with a perfect score of 100 — a distinction earned by only 1% of nonprofits nationally.

Lifeguard and CPR training

Top Training Provider

The American Red Cross recognized the Metro Y as a top training provider, as we trained 554 individuals in lifeguarding, CPR, and first aid.

Metro YMCA community

Top Nonprofit

The Association was recognized by NJ Biz as a Top NonProfit Organization in New Jersey and is currently the sixth largest 501(c)(3) organization in the state.

Sussex County YMCA Pickleball Center

Best in Sussex County

The Sussex County YMCA earned three community recognitions this year, including Best Wellness Facility and a New Business Award for the opening of our Pickleball Center.

Fairview Lake YMCA Camps

Top of the Lake

Fairview Lake YMCA Camps was named the Top Campground in Sussex County by the New Jersey Herald Community Choice Awards — a fitting honor for a camp that has welcomed families for 110 years.

Early childhood learning at the Y

Early Childhood Excellence

The South Mountain YMCA Early Childhood Learning Center earned its first Grow NJ Kids rating — a state quality benchmark for child care and early learning programs.

Summer camp at the Y

Record Summer

Summer camp came back stronger than ever, with more than 20,300 camper week registrations — a 5% increase from 2024.

Y Golf Outing fundraiser

Camp for All

The annual Metro YMCA Golf Outing raised a record $68,500 in camp scholarships, helping ensure that 1 in 4 kids who rely on financial assistance can get to camp.

Y members and staff

Expect the Best

Our Expect the Best Initiative continued with a focus on Belonging, Achievement, and Relationships. The Metro YMCA achieved a 72 Net Promoter Score, matching companies like Amazon and Apple.

Y staff professional development

Investing in Staff

Staff completed 285 Y-USA courses and 2,900 LinkedIn Learning courses. For the second year in a row, we earned a Top Workplaces 2025 honor from NJ.com, based entirely on employee feedback.
Governance

Board of Directors

The Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges Board of Directors provides governance, policy direction, and fundraising support for the entire Association. The visionary leadership of these volunteers helps us provide extraordinary youth development and healthy living experiences throughout our service area.

Peter H. Tanella

Peter H. Tanella

Chairman of the Board
Dan Borgna

Dan Borgna

Vice Chairman
Jose Briones

Jose Briones

Treasurer
Reyna Burger

Reyna Burger

Secretary
Daren Phil

Daren Phil

Immediate Past Chairman
Richard K. Gorab

Richard K. Gorab

President and CEO
Full Board of Directors Vincent Benjamin, Dan Borgna, Jose Briones, Reyna Burger, John Conforti, Valerie W. Crawford*, Kristi D'Angeli, Chris Erb, William Esposito, Stacey Staaterman Feeney, Austin Filis, Shannon Fischer, Ted Foung, Michael Givner, Paul A. Gomperz*, Christel Hyden, Matthew B. Jarmel, Branden Jones, Jonathan Kristofich, Sameer Malhotra, Stephen M. Mellett, Sr., Andrew Pfaff, Daren J. Phil, Toni Pinkett, Debbie Rittenour, William R. Ruhl, Peter Schofel, Ronald Schwarz*, Alex Serrano, Peter H. Tanella, Esq., Himanshu (Hams) Tripathi, Marlene Waldock, George Wilson, Christopher Wolverton, Jennifer Yager, * Emeritus
Financial Responsibility

Where Our Support Goes

2025 audited financial statements.

RevenueAmount
Contributions / Grants / Government Contracts$6,431,234
Membership$4,968,563
Program Fees$33,144,248
Other$6,810,611
Total Revenue$51,354,656
ExpensesAmount
Program Services$38,694,205
Supporting Services$7,086,824
Total Expenses$45,781,627
Change in Net Assets $5,573,627
 
By the Numbers

Investing in Community

 

$4M

Raised toward our philanthropic revenue, plus $47,975 in in-kind contributions

 

16,775

Volunteer hours contributed by 1,228 volunteers

 

3,108

Children learned water safety, swimming skills, and sportsmanship

 

4,773

Children tried new activities, made friends, and gained independence at summer camp

 

3,411

Children inspired to learn, play, and grow across our 42 afterschool and full-day programs

 

921

Children developed critical skills across our 3 Early Childhood Learning Centers

 

42,288

Individuals connected with the Y in-person or virtually

 

$2,406,853

Awarded in financial assistance to 4,070 recipients toward Y programs

 

236

Middle School Initiative students received free memberships
Program Highlights

Strengthening Community

Building Healthy Communities

 

Future Makers Entrepreneurial Program
With the support of state grant funding from the NJFAC, the South Mountain YMCA launched the innovative Future Makers Entrepreneurial Program, providing middle and high school students with free access to hands-on business and entrepreneurship education.

 

Free Veterans Wellness Program
Our free Veterans Wellness Program at the Sussex County and West Essex YMCAs engaged 67 veterans in health and wellness programs while fostering meaningful connections with one another. For those who share the bond of military service, that sense of camaraderie and community can be just as powerful as the programs themselves.

 

Gap in Community
The Greater Bergen County YMCA's New Milford Program Center expanded its sports program, adding opportunities for teen girls to learn the game of volleyball at all skill levels.

 

Safety Around Water
Through free water safety programs, including a Y-USA Youth Swim Lesson grant at the East Orange YMCA, the Y helped 323 children learn essential, life-saving swimming and water safety skills, reducing their risk of accidental drowning.

 

Pickleball Center's First Full Year
The Sussex County YMCA Pickleball Center hit its stride in its first full year of operation, expanding programming to welcome players of all ages and skill levels.

Events for Change

 

$172,000 in record support raised at the 31st Annual Metro YMCA Golf Outing. Its highest net revenue in history.

 

$28,500 raised at the 23rd Annual Sussex County Golf Outing for financial assistance and free programs.

 

$28,000+ raised for local children and families at the South Mountain YMCA Duck Race, celebrating 26 years.

 

$30,000+ raised to support roughly 1 in 4 summer campers during our second Camp for a Cause campaign.

 

$29,000+ raised during the 60th Annual Sports Award Banquet, hosted by the Greater Bergen County YMCA, New Milford YMCA Program Center.

 

$66,000 raised to expand mental health programs through the Y's second Sporting Clays fundraising event.
In Their Words

Voices of Impact

Mary Fender, West Essex YMCA

Health and Wellness

After being in the workforce for most of my life, my dream was to be able to exercise more often when I retired. The first few days I felt so lost, then I remembered I had an unused membership to the Y. I cannot imagine my life without my West Essex YMCA experience!

— Mary Fender, West Essex YMCA
Whitney Pillsbury, South Mountain YMCA

Early Childhood Care

I can't say enough wonderful things about the South Mountain YMCA. We arrived 20 years ago with three children, and today we bring our grandson every day. The friends we've made here are our village. They'll be in our lives forever.

— Whitney Pillsbury, South Mountain YMCA
Anifani Lynch, East Orange YMCA

School-Age Child Care

I've had a wonderful experience with the YMCA aftercare program for my child. The staff is caring, attentive, and truly makes an effort to get to know each child individually. My son always comes home happy!

— Anifani Lynch, East Orange YMCA
Kristina Garnett, Sussex County YMCA

Swim Lessons

My son is taking lessons and his swim teacher is amazing with him. My son has had issues with trying to get his face in the water for years and his teacher is really working with him. He's made so much progress in just a few weeks.

— Kristina Garnett, Sussex County YMCA
Dylan P., Fairview Lake YMCA Camps

Summer Camp

Counselor-in-Training prepared me for being a counselor by giving me the chance to work with campers throughout activity periods. It helped me see what it's like being in a leadership position.

— Dylan P., Fairview Lake YMCA Camps
Eileen Gapuz, Greater Bergen County YMCA

Youth Sports

Staff at New Milford are very accommodating and professional. The volleyball coaches, especially Miss Winnie, give her 101% to teach our kids to do their best.

— Eileen Gapuz, Greater Bergen County YMCA

 

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METRO YMCA OF THE ORANGES ACCREDITATIONS

Praesidium accredited logo American Camp Association Charity Navigator 4-star logo Newsweek Best Summer Camps award logo Top Workplace logo NJ Grows Logo