President’s Roundtable Reception Celebrates The Gateway Family YMCA – Rahway Branch Renovation

Rahway, NJ, March 19, 2014 --(PR.com)-- The evening of March 10th brought together a group of community leaders and YMCA members at the President’s Roundtable Reception for The Gateway Family YMCA – Rahway Branch. This first of its kind event was a celebration of the $3.2 million, 16,256-square foot renovation underway at the Rahway Branch, located at 1564 Irving Street, Rahway. This exclusive event included the unveiling of plans and renderings for the Rahway Branch and awarded guests the opportunity to hear first hand details on Y programming and space planned for the facility.

John C. Ludington, Chief Volunteer Officer and President of the Board of Directors for The Gateway Family YMCA began the evening by stating, “At the Y, We’re more than a place. We’re a Cause.” Melynda Mileski, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The Gateway Family YMCA stated, “Our Y has long-standing relationships and a physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.” Gerry Gessie, Branch Executive Director of The Gateway Family YMCA – Rahway Branch, spoke about program enhancements in the additional space, “We envision a great dynamic that ties in teaching, learning and creativity while being fun and beneficial.”

Excitement was generated in the auditorium as Paul R. Natoli, President, Joseph A. Natoli Construction Corp. and Peter I. Biber, Principal, The Biber Partnership AIA unveiled and discussed in detail the renderings and plans for the Rahway Branch renovation. Congressman Donald M. Payne Jr. stated, “It’s just great to see an organization committed, having a dream, an idea and a goal, sticking to it and bringing it to fruition.” Congressman Payne Jr., who has a long-standing history and affinity to the YMCA added, “The commitment here in Rahway has energized and invigorated an institution that we all care about and love.”

Former Mayor James Kennedy, added, “The Y is going to be the premier space for visual arts, both in educational, as well as a rental,” adding, “The renovation brings us one step closer to really bringing the city towards a total use of utilizing cultural arts as an economic stimulus.”

Completing the program, Krystal R. Canady, Chief Executive Officer of The Gateway Family YMCA stated, “We are one of the largest not for profits in Eastern Union County and also in Northern Middlesex County, serving people on a daily basis. We are a 14 million dollar association that gives out over a half a million dollars annually in support to children and families that cannot afford to come to us - That is what makes us different.”

Attendees to the President’s Roundtable Reception included Freeholder Bruce Bergen, Dave Brown, President of the Municipal Council, Superintendent Ed Yergalonis, Tom Bayone, President of Rahway’s Chamber of Commerce, Kirk Tice, President & CEO of The Robert Wood Johnson Hospital at Rahway, Russell Taylor, CEO of RSI Bank, Mary Phillips, Community Relations Coordinator from Phillips 66, David Johnson, Communications and Community Relations Manager from United Water, Larry Capiello, Arts Guild – New Jersey, Rachel Faillace, Arts District, and members of the Board of Directors of The Gateway Family YMCA.

The Gateway Family YMCA, formerly The YMCA of Eastern Union County, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, health and community service organization of caring staff and volunteers dedicated to strengthening the foundations of community and stands For Youth Development, For Healthy Living and For Social Responsibility. The Gateway Family YMCA impacts the community by providing quality services to people of all ages, races, faith or incomes. The Y doesn’t just strengthen bodies – it strengthens people, families and communities.

For more information about community programs and services provided by The Gateway Family YMCA – Rahway Branch, please visit www.tgfymca.org or contact the Rahway Branch at Rahwayinfo@tgfymca.org or 732.388.0057.