South Shore YMCA to open new Hale Family Y Quincy expansion: The Paul Gorman Center for Community Impact

The South Shore YMCA is preparing to open a transformational 20,000‑square‑foot expansion at the Hale Family YMCA in Quincy: The Paul Gorman Center for Community Impact. This new wing represents one of the most significant facility investments for the South Shore YMCA and positions the Hale Family YMCA among the very largest YMCAs in the United States.

The center is named for recently retired South Shore YMCA President & CEO Paul Gorman, whose vision sixteen years ago inspired this next chapter of its growth.

Key supporters, partners, Executive Board members, and staff joined the YMCA on January 20 for a ribbon‑cutting celebration, where leaders emphasized the center’s potential to transform the lives of children, teens, families, and adults across Quincy and the South Shore.

A Major Advancement in Youth Development, Wellness & Community Programming

Katelyn Szafir, Vice President of Operations for the Hale Family YMCA, served as project manager for the expansion, introducing several high‑impact program spaces designed to meet growing community needs:

• A state‑of‑the‑art Gymnastics Training Center, addressing a long‑recognized need in Quincy and expanding the Y’s successful gymnastics program under Association Gymnastics Director Kara Protulis. The new facility will offer gymnastics, cheer, dance, and mentorship opportunities for children and teens.
• The Phyllis Godwin Empowerment Center, a dedicated hub for women and girls to access mentorship, leadership development, relationship‑building programs, and supportive community connections.
• A large‑scale wellness and group exercise studio, supporting the more than 7,000 monthly group exercise participants who rely on the YMCA for health, community, and in‑person connection.
• Expanded teen space, increasing capacity to serve the 400+ teens who visit after school each day, creating more room for leadership development, enrichment, and safe, supervised programming.

“We build spaces so we can impact people,” said Trevor Williams, President & CEO of the South Shore YMCA. “A child will gain confidence on a gymnastics floor. A mother will improve her health in a group exercise studio. A teen will connect with a mentor who changes their future. This center will provide our community with what they deserve: a world‑class facility designed to improve lives.”

A Celebration of Community Support

The expansion marks the final achievement of the South Shore YMCA’s Leave Your Mark capital campaign, which raised $13 million to support transformational facility improvements across the South Shore. Executive Board Chair Mike Mullin celebrated the donors, partners, and community advocates whose generosity made this milestone possible, and spoke to the importance of investing in a space that serves the entire community.

“As someone who brings my own family here week after week, I know firsthand how much this YMCA means to the community,” said Mullin. “It’s a place where our kids learn, grow, and feel they belong, and where adults find health, connection, and support. This expansion ensures that even more families will experience the same sense of community and possibility that mine does. It’s an incredible moment for Quincy and the South Shore.”

Gratitude for Those Who Made It Possible

“I am truly honored,” said Paul Gorman, “and want to thank the many people whose dedication brought this vision to life.” He offered special thanks to the Y’s Executive Board and Capital Campaign Committee, especially Campaign Chair Dan DeMarco, and committee members Len Bicknell, Paul Caruso, Alex Clark, Peter Finnegan, Paul Leone, Paul Mollica, and Matt Shadrick, whose persistence and leadership in securing vital support made this achievement possible.

Gorman also expressed gratitude to Mayor Thomas Koch and the City of Quincy, recognizing the mayor’s ongoing support as essential to making the vision a reality.

Finally, Gorman recognized the generosity of all donors who made the expansion possible, especially campaign leaders Rob & Karen Hale, Alan McKim, Herb Emilson, and Jack and Kathie McDonough. “Their vision and philanthropy will strengthen families for generations to come,” he said.

Opening in Early February

As the Paul Gorman Center for Community Impact opens to members in early February, the South Shore YMCA celebrates not only a beautiful new building, but a powerful investment in youth development, community wellness, and the future of Quincy and the South Shore.

To learn more about the South Shore YMCA expansion and strategic plan, visit ssymca.org.