Quincy YMCA named for Rob and Karen Hale

On August 11, 2022, the South Shore YMCA branch in Quincy will be named in honor of Robert and Karen Hale, whose historic gift will definitively shape the future of one of the nation’s largest urban YMCAs.

Benefactors Rob and Karen Hale made extraordinary gifts totaling $5 million in support of the Quincy Y facility. To honor their contributions, South Shore YMCA is naming its Quincy branch at 79 Coddington Street the Hale Family YMCA.

“It is with tremendous gratitude and honor that we name our Quincy Y branch after these community leaders and visionaries,” said Paul Gorman, President and CEO of South Shore YMCA. “Karen and Rob support causes that are close to their heart, in particular family, education, and health and wellness. These are at the core of our Y, and this gift will help advance our mission to deepen our commitment to serving our community for generations.”

A ceremony to commemorate the naming will take place at the YMCA on Thursday, August 11. Special guests are expected to include the Hale family, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, City of Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch, South Shore YMCA Executive Board Chair, Jim Dunphy, CEO of South Shore Bank, South Shore YMCA President and CEO, Paul Gorman, and local and state community leaders and elected officials.

“We are thrilled to have received this wonderful gift, the latest chapter in the Hale family’s long legacy of generous support of the Y,” said Mary Orne, Chief Development Officer at the South Shore YMCA. “We look forward to celebrating with the entire community.”

Rob and Karen Hale are prominent Boston-area philanthropists who have shown continuous support for the South Shore YMCA and the Quincy community for years. Rob Hale is CEO of Quincy-based Granite Telecommunications, a leading communications services provider widely recognized for its humanitarian and philanthropic work in the community. Karen Hale served as a member of the South Shore YMCA Executive Board.

“There is no other place that serves the entire community and families the way the Y does,” said Rob Hale. “The Y provides a safe space for everyone to be their best, allowing families to play and stay healthy together, and giving children their greatest start in life through early education. We hope to strengthen the Y so that it remains a vibrant home for Quincy families for years to come.”