The Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA

09.02.20

With Greater Scale, Comes a Greater Opportunity to Serve- Two Local YMCAs Plan to Merge

To the Members of our YMCA Family:
Our offerings to you will be expanding, as by the unanimous votes of the Boards of Directors and Trustees of the Wilkes-Barre YMCA and the Greater Pittston YMCA have expressed their intent to merge our two organizations.

So, what have the two YMCAs been working on and how will it impact you and our community?

As you know, each of these Y’s have existed for over 100 years. The decision to merge the two entities was handled with careful consideration. Innovation and efficiency are critical for continuing to provide valued services to our communities.  The rationale for joining together rests on pursuing new growth opportunities and on leveraging the talented staff and volunteers of each organization. 

Members of each YMCA will have access to both facilities and all the unique, rich programming offered at each. While we do not anticipate any changes to current membership structures through the end of the year, upon merger completion, we will be able to communicate enhanced membership opportunities with you.

By serving a larger geographic area we will be able to pursue more significant corporate partnerships and fundraising opportunities – and with their help and generosity – deliver innovative programs to the most vulnerable segments of our population.

Collaboration between the two YMCAs has been underway for the last 18 months and has already led to substantial improvements in Child Care, Aquatics and Summer Camp Programming. As of today, we anticipate being able to complete the merger in the next 30 days.

Under a merger, the two organizations will operate as a single legal entity named the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA. The Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA, the Greater Pittston YMCA and Camp Kresge will each maintain their local identity operating as branches of the larger regional entity.

Our mission will not change. We will continue to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.  The success of this initiative will be measured by our future investment in our facilities, programming and staff.

The completion of this merger will require much more hard work by our dedicated staff and volunteers.  In the coming months, we will be adapting our organization structure, aligning our programming schedules and converting IT systems.

We are one community– and will soon become one YMCA. We invite you to JOIN US as we celebrate this opportunity to share resources and enhance the YMCA’s impact on Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Sincerely,

John Morris, Board President    Kevin O’Boyle, Chairman of the Board
Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA                    Greater Pittston YMCA

Have questions about the merger? Please browse our list of frequently asked questions to find the answer you’re looking for.