The Wilton Family YMCA and the Norwalk YMCA completed the final phase in their merger process with approval from the respective governing boards to unite the two organizations. The merger brings the Wilton Family YMCA and the Norwalk YMCA under a single umbrella named the Riverbrook Regional YMCA.
The merged YMCA plans to provide the same services members currently receive. "If you're a current member of the Wilton Family YMCA now, your privileges will be those that you currently have. There will be no changes to your membership," said Michelle Wishna, Director of Membership for the Riverbrook Regional YMCA.
The Norwalk YMCA and the Wilton Family YMCA have been in a management agreement since the summer of 2013. With the closing of the Norwalk YMCA building in December of 2012, the Wilton Family YMCA has been managing the mission based programs of the Norwalk YMCA that did not require a YMCA facility. The programs that remained were all based in the Norwalk School District Building and served over 250 children in Before and After School Programs and Summer Camp. Those programs continue to operate and have been deemed sustainable. Other programs that have been a result of the Wilton Family YMCA's involvement in Norwalk are chronic disease management programs and swim lessons to reduce youth drowning which are grant funded so they have no negative financial effect on our newly merged structured.
The impact of this merger will strengthen the communities of both YMCAs by enhancing existing services that focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility and creating new programs that build a strong foundation to grow these services to reach even more children, teens, adults and families well into the future.
The new Riverbrook Regional YMCA will encompass a region that spans from the entire city of Norwalk, through the Route 7 corridor, including Wilton, Georgetown and Redding. Robert McDowell, the executive director of the Wilton Family YMCA has been engaged for the past two years as the acting CEO of the Norwalk YMCA and he will now assume the new role as CEO of Riverbrook Regional YMCA.
"By working together we believe our new YMCA will be able to offer more diverse, better and highly tailored services to the communities we serve", commented Mr. McDowell. "Because of the collaborative relationship that already exists and the potential to provide enhanced opportunities to both areas, the time is right to transition. We are committed to using our resources in the most effective way to ensure strong YMCA member services in all these communities with enthusiasm and pride, for many years to come."
About Riverbrook Regional YMCA
Serving the coastal city of Norwalk as well as the towns of Georgetown, Redding and Wilton, the Riverbrook Regional YMCA provides services to 134,000 residents across diverse communities. The YMCA is a member-supported charitable organization dedicated to promoting youth development, healthy living and social responsibility by offering a broad range of health enhancing, recreational, educational and social programs that are affordable and accessible to all people in the communities we serve. Our vision is to use all available resources to maximize the personal potential of every person in the community who is affiliated with or takes advantage of our exceptional Y programs and facilities.
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