In 2019, the South Shore YMCA launched its bold “Leave Your Mark” capital campaign, raising over $12 million to bring transformational projects to life across the South Shore. These efforts have revitalized the Y with expanded facilities and improved offerings, including the new Outdoor Aquatic Center in Hanover, the Nature Center Preschool in Norwell, and the Paul Gorman Center for Community Impact in Quincy.
The campaign persevered through challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising costs of building materials, thanks to unrelenting community support. We thank all donors who supported the Leave Your Mark campaign for ensuring the South Shore YMCA remains a community cornerstone for generations to come.
The South Shore YMCA celebrated the opening of the Paul Gorman Center for Community Impact on January 20, 2026. The new facility offered 20,000 square feet of space for group exercise classes, teen engagement programs, and a new large-scale gymnastics training center to serve a need for the sport in Quincy.
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The Phyllis Godwin Empowerment Center, part of the Hale Family Y expansion, is named in honor of Phyllis Godwin, a trailblazing leader and advocate for women in business and community life. This new center is dedicated to empowering women and girls through mentorship, education, and connection.
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The South Shore YMCA expanded its environmental education and camp programs at the Nature Center in Norwell with a new preschool and day camp building,the redesign of the Jose Carreiro Children's Garden, and the restoration of the historic Nature Center building and Coes Greenhouse.
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In June of 2023, the South Shore YMCA Executive Board and senior leadership team hosted its annual summer social gathering to celebrate the impact of the first completed “Leave Your Mark” capital campaign at the Y’s new Outdoor Aquatic Center at the Emilson YMCA branch in Hanover.
To meet the demand of our growing SSYMCA Camp Gordon Clark summer camp program in Hanover and improve the experience for campers and families, in 2025 we added three new outdoor structures and renovated our outdoor sports courts, playing fields and irrigation systems.
Learn more March 2025 | Hale Family Y Expansion Project Groundbreaking
October 2024 | Nature Center Preschool Building Ribbon Cutting Celebrations
April 2024 | Hale Family YMCA Expansion Plan Conceptual Stage
May 2023 | South Shore YMCA Outdoor Aquatics Center Project Near Completion
July 2019 | Dan Quirk Invests in Leave Your Mark Campaign
“The work that you do in the City of Quincy to bring together a diverse culture, a diverse community, a different set of ages, bringing them all as one with love and compassion, makes our city a better place. Your successes are truly a transformation to this community and to this city.” — Rob Hale, Founder & CEO, Granite Telecommunication
“The Y is a special place that does a lot for all its Members. It has evolved over the years to provide special services and programs to a diverse Membership that needs the Y to be there for them. I have been involved for about 30 years because of the special work that the Y does and the fact that the Y never says no to anyone who needs help.” — Paul Mollica, Capital Campaign Committee Member, Active Y Member, Donor, Volunteer and past Executive Board Member
“We are grateful for the wholesomeness and well-being that the South Shore Y brings to the community. Our contributions to the Y have been among the best investments we have made. We are confident that they will continue to pay dividends for years to come.” — Herb & Paulie Emilson
For information on capital campaigns and ways that you can support the Y contact Jill Donvan, South Shore YMCA Vice President of Development at jdonovan@ssymca.org
