Celebrating a Year of Impact at the SSYMCA’s 2021 Holiday Social

On Monday, December 6, South Shore YMCA board members, friends, supporters, donors, staff and volunteers gathered together at Black Rock Country Club for the 2021 Annual Holiday Social to celebrate another year of shared impact for the South Shore Y.

During the event, Paul Gorman, President and CEO of the South Shore YMCA, expressed gratitude for YMCA supporters and their passionate commitment to the Y’s mission throughout the past year as the community continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. “We have responded to the community’s changing needs throughout the year, just like we did in 2020,” said Gorman. “Although times are difficult, we are making them better for so many, and we’ll continue to do so in the New Year as members and program participants continue to return to the Y to connect with others and improve their health.”

South Shore YMCA Executive Board Chair, James Dunphy, President & CEO of South Shore Bank, started the evening by thanking the Y’s staff and board members for their hard work throughout the uncertainty of the past two years. Dunphy also recognized two outgoing Executive Board members, Ajay Sadhwani and Bob Bizak and Matt Havens, thanking them for their dedication and support to the South Shore YMCA over the years.

South Shore YMCA COO, Trevor Williams, shared the challenges and successes of the year, including the power of YMCA swim lessons in fighting drowning in our community. In spite of the pandemic, many new parents took the opportunity to ensure the safety of their children and families around water through Y swim lessons, and the Y saw its largest year in swim lesson programming.

Williams also discussed the current staffing crisis that is impacting many businesses and organizations like the Y from serving to our full potential, and how we are working to push through and recruit more staff.

Bruce Netherwood, South Shore YMCA Vice President of Camping Services, discussed the positive impact that YMCA summer camp has had on youth during the pandemic, emphasizing the confidence children gain when they attend summer camp. Netherwood shared the words of one Y camper, age 11, who said “Camp is my happy place because you can just take a break from the media and drama. And no matter what, you are always doing something, so you have no time to worry.”

South Shore Y Community Outreach Director, Josh Esquivel, shared the impact the South Shore YMCA Food Pantry continues to have on the community. Food pantry visits have quadrupled these past two years and show no signs of slowing down in the coming year. Esquivel thanked the generous donors and volunteers who have stepped up and helped feed hundreds of families in the community over the past two years.

“We are so thankful for the support of everyone here tonight. Our staff, our executive board, our donors, our volunteers. We couldn’t do this without you,” said Gorman, “I look forward to everything we will do in the New Year.”