New Castle Rotary #89 was pleased to present a $1000 grant to the New Castle Community YMCA at our weekly meeting on Monday, March 26, 2018.

Chief Executive Officer, Dick Lyons and Branch Executive Director (Y-Zone) Justin Umbs spoke to the club about the New Castle Community YMCA’s programs and goals.

The Y focuses on and measures their success in three areas:  Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility.  Our New Castle downtown Y and Y-Zone in Neshannock Township are open to all and serve over 7,500 members.

Lyons told the club about three new youth initiatives:  Seventh Grade Initiative where all New Castle School District 7th graders are given free membership; the summer food program; and  summer learn to swim program.  The summer learn to swim program is for all youth living in subsidized housing.  They are given free swim lessons,transportation to and from the Y for the lessons, and swim suits.  The Y-Zone also has programs targeting youth, in particular summer sports camps that strive to make sports fun and also teach about healthy life styles.

This grant was made possible by our annual lottery calendar fundraiser along with proceeds from our cornhole tournament.