Registration for the 2026 Hope for the Holidays Program is now open!
Registration is open from October 1-31. Please review application requirements and procedures before applying.
For questions, please contact our team at holiday@ssymca.org.
Eligibility
The Hope for the Holidays Program is for children of income-eligible residents in our service area. To be eligible for the assistance program:
- You must be a South Shore YMCA member or a resident of a town within our Service Area:
Braintree Milton Cohasset Norwell Hanover Quincy Hingham Randolph Holbrook Scituate Hull Weymouth - Your household income must be below the levels stated below:
Household Income Guidelines
| Household Size | Household Income |
|---|---|
| 2 | $50,271 |
| 3 | $64,420 |
| 4 | $77,200 |
| 5 | $91,340 |
| 6 | $105,480 |
| 7 | $117,220 |
| 8 | $130,560 |
Proof of Eligibility Documentation
However you register, the following documentation is required as proof of eligibility.
NOTE: If you have qualified for South Shore YMCA Financial Assistance (50% or more) or have been a member of the Germantown Neighborhood Center Food Pantry in the past 10 months, you do not need to provide additional documentation.
- A Public Housing Authority Lease qualifies for all verification documents
- Proof of Income: Last year’s 1040 – first 2 pages only, for each adult who lives in your household.
- Proof of Residency for each Household Member: Current Lease/Mortgage and Utility Bill/Credit Card Statement
- Proof of Guardianship: School Letter, Birth Certificate, DCF Paperwork
- One of the following documents you receive: SNAP Benefits, Mass Health, Fuel Assistance, Section 8
Verification documents may only be submitted through our online form or in person.
We cannot accept email, electronic, faxed, scanned, or mailed copies of forms.
Gifts
This year we are providing gifts for children ages 16 and younger.
- We aim to provide a winter coat, hat, gloves, or mittens, one set of pajamas, plus two gifts for each child.
- Each gift (excluding clothing) should be kept to $50 or less.
- Participants may combine their two gift options for one gift valued at $100.
- Gift cards are only available for teens (ages 13-16), with a maximum of one card per teen.
- When requesting shoes or specific clothing, please include the appropriate size. Sizing information is listed below.
- Bicycle requests include a helmet. Please include the appropriate helmet size using the sizing information below.
- For specific footwear requests, such as brand-name sneakers, ice skates, or roller skates, please include the style/details and size in the description.
Clothes
Please use the size chart below for any clothing items. Please indicate specific sizes if your size is not listed below.
Clothing Sizes
| Category | Available Sizes |
|---|---|
| Infant | Newborn, 3 Months, 6 Months, 9 Months, 12 Months, 18 Months, 24 Months |
| Toddler | 2T, 3T, 4T, 5T |
| Girls | X-Small (XS), Small (S), Medium (M), Large (L), X-Large (XL), XX-Large (XXL) |
| Boys | X-Small (XS), Small (S), Medium (M), Large (L), X-Large (XL), XX-Large (XXL) |
| Women | X-Small (XS), Small (S), Medium (M), Large (L), X-Large (XL), XX-Large (XXL) |
| Men | X-Small (XS), Small (S), Medium (M), Large (L), X-Large (XL), XX-Large (XXL) |
Bike Sizes
| Wheel Size | Recommended Age | Recommended Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12-inch | 2–3 years | 36–39 inches |
| 14-inch | 2–4 years | 37–44 inches |
| 16-inch | 4–6 years | 41–48 inches |
| 20-inch | 5–8 years | 45–54 inches |
| 24-inch | 8–11 years | 49–59 inches |
Helmet Sizes
| Recommended Age | Head Circumference | Size |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 years | 18–19 inches (46–48 cm) | X-Small (XS) |
| 1–3 years | 19–20.5 inches (48–52 cm) | Small (S) |
| 3–6 years | 20.5–22 inches (52–56 cm) | Medium (M) |
| 6–10 years | 22–23.5 inches (56–60 cm) | Large (L) |
| 10+ years / teen | 23.5–24.5 inches (60–63 cm) | X-Large (XL) |
| Adult (L/XL) | 24.5–25.5 inches (63–65 cm) | XX-Large (XXL) |
Registration Options
Families can register one of the following ways:
Register In Person – By Appointment or Drop-In
Contact holiday@ssymca.org or 857-278-4594 to schedule your appointment. Please bring your verification documents in an envelope and wish lists to your appointment.
Appointments can be scheduled at these locations:
- Hale Family YMCA (Quincy) 79 Coddington St, Quincy, MA 02169
- Emilson YMCA (Hanover) 75 Mill St, Hanover, MA 02339
- South Shore YMCA Germantown Neighborhood Center, 366 Palmer St, Quincy, MA 02169
Drop-in registration is available at the following times:
- Mondays & Wednesdays, 12 pm to 4 pm | Germantown Neighborhood Center
- Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1 pm to 6 pm | Hale Family YMCA
- Sundays, 2pm to 6pm | Hale Family YMCA
- Sundays & Mondays, 2pm to 4pm | Emilson YMCA
Apply Online
- Scroll to the bottom of this page and click Register Online.
- Log in or create an account. Please use an email address you check regularly.
- Complete the application for each family member. All required fields must be completed.
- Upload all required verification documents. Applications without the required documents cannot be reviewed. (Note: If you have received support from the SSYMCA Food Pantry or South Shore YMCA in the last 12 months, you do not need to upload documentation)
- Review your application and submit it by October 31.
Families with more than six children: Please contact Melanie Riether at mriether@ssymca.org before applying online.
Please note: Submitting an online application does not guarantee acceptance into the program. All applications must be reviewed and approved. You should receive an update on your application status within three business days of submission.
Confirmation
- If your family is accepted into the program, you will receive a text message by November 8 containing your acceptance card, Family ID number, and additional instructions.
- If you do not receive a text message by November 21, you may email holiday@ssymca.org or text 857-278-4594 to inquire about your application status.
- Please note: You must present the text message with your acceptance card when picking up gifts. Without it, gifts cannot be distributed.
Contact
For more information, to schedule an in-person appointment, or if you have not received program confirmation notification by November 21, contact our team:
EMAIL: holiday@ssymca.org
PHONE: 857-278-4594