RED BANK – Though reported by the Two River Times in this week’s edition that The Community YMCA would not be ending their complimentary child membership program for borough students enrolled up to eighth grade, according to an organization representative, the program will come to an end for nearly 220 youths Sept. 1 while the nonprofit works to transition toward its new YCares Financial Assistance initiative.
In a statement issued to The Two River Times Tuesday, The Community YMCA said its goal “is to ensure a smooth transition and retain 100% of families who are currently members of the Healthy Kids program, regardless of the ability to pay. We will also continue complimentary membership for active Red Bank Volunteer Firefighters and offer a special rate of 20% off of adult memberships for Red Bank Borough Police Officers.”
The Two River Times interpreted the statement to mean children will continue to be included in the courtesy membership program. But that is incorrect, according to Teicia Gaupp, the organization’s director of marketing and social media, Wednesday. The complimentary membership program for children will cease by the end of summer, she said. The Two River Times apologizes for the error, reported in an article on page 4 of the July 4-10 edition.
“We have been in touch with families in the program and those outside of it who also need support. We’re not turning anyone away. The mission is to help everybody who needs it,” Gaupp said July 3.
According to Gaupp, the programming and access currently offered to those students with complimentary memberships will not change once the transition is made. “It will remain a full child membership,” she said.
The biggest difference between the two programs is the subsidized funding for memberships.
Those who wish to participate in the YCares Financial Assistance program will need to fill out an application, and based upon that application financial assistance toward a membership may be provided based on need.
Gaupp said new YMCA members interested in the YCares Financial Assistance program will be subject to the application process, but the families of current child membership holders will work with Community YMCA executive director Katie McAdoo on the transition.
Gaupp said the decision to transition to the YCares Financial Assistance program, but maintain complimentary memberships for active Red Bank volunteer firefighters, while offering a discount to borough police officers, was made after YMCA leadership met earlier this week with Red Bank Mayor Pasquale Menna and borough administrator Ziad Shehady.
“They wanted to find the most optimum solution. The goal for us is to ensure that we’re giving the most vulnerable in our community the access they need,” Gaupp said.
