NORTHERN BERKSHIRE YMCA AND PITTSFIELD FAMILY YMCA JOIN IN PERMANENT PARTNERSHIP TOGETHER AS BERKSHIRE FAMILY YMCA
[PITTSFIELD, OCT. 22, 2015] – The Northern Berkshire YMCA and Pittsfield Family YMCA, both of Berkshire County, Mass., join in a permanent partnership together by a unanimous vote by both Board of Directors tonight.
Since October 24, 2014, the Northern Berkshire YMCA and Pittsfield Family YMCA have operated under a Management Agreement. The Board of Directors of both YMCAs has commissioned a Task Force to explore and evaluate the sharing of resources and services that would join the two YMCAs together. The goal is to strengthen the communities of both YMCAs while enhancing services that focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility today and into the future.
The joining of these two Ys benefits both organizations through the combining of staff, volunteers, facilities and financial resources. By working together we have determined that there will be more efficiency in services and the Y will be able to offer more and the best services to strengthen the communities we serve. We are committed to using our resources in the most effective way to ensure strong YMCA services in both communities. The need in the communities for YMCA services has never been greater.
Both the Northern Berkshire YMCA and Pittsfield Family YMCA will maintain their existing names and together operate under the Association name of the Berkshire Family YMCA. Community volunteers who serve on the existing Y boards will be brought together as one Board of Directors to provide oversight to the newly formed Association. The Pittsfield Family YMCA, at least for the foreseeable future, will serve as the location of the corporate office of the newly formed YMCA as they have the necessary space to meet the Y’s immediate needs.
We have been dedicated throughout this process of strategic restructuring to strengthening the Y’s impact as well as enhancing the services and programs that we now offer to our members. Both YMCA branches will remain open, continuing to serve as a vital part of your community. While it is too soon to determine the aligned membership rates, our goal is to enhance the value of our membership offerings. For example, current members of the Northern Berkshire YMCA will now have FULL membership and program privileges, with no restrictions, at the Pittsfield Family YMCA and vice versa. As a matter of fact, membership rates at the Northern Berkshire YMCA for youth, teens and young adults have been lowered – making them more affordable – since entering into the management agreement with the Pittsfield Family YMCA. We are grateful for our members’ involvement at our Ys and look forward to continuing to help our members and their families learn, grow and thrive.
The Association will provide enhanced staff resources and operational efficiencies, including: human resources, accounting and payroll, financial development and marketing and communications. Many of these are already being realized through the operation of the management agreement. By joining together, we will see some economies in our operation and are committed to providing the same quality programs and services our members have come to rely on. We do not anticipate significant changes in staffing. The union of these two YMCAs will also provide increased professional development opportunities for staff from both Associations. Further, decisions to add additional staff positions will be determined through a continual review of our programs and services and with the guidance of our combined board of directors. Staff from both Ys will have the opportunity to collaborate and/or join forces to provide more and the best services possible.
The Northern Berkshire YMCA and Pittsfield Family YMCA are very thankful for the support it receives from local donors, funders and foundations and hopes this support will continue. Both Ys are a strong and vital part of their communities and rely on this funding to provide quality youth and family programs to the community. Donations can still be designated to your local Y.
Both Ys remain committed to strengthening the foundation of their respective communities through programs and services that focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
Association Official Spokespeople:
Northern Berkshire YMCA: CVO Tracy McConnell, 413-663-2189 or tracy.mcconnell@mountainone.com
Pittsfield Family YMCA: CVO Len Light, 413-443-7359, lennylight@lencoarmor.com
CEO and Executive Director: Randy Kinnas, 413-499-7650 x12, rkinnas@pittsfieldfamilyymca.org
About the YMCAs: The Northern Berkshire YMCA is located at 22 Brickyard Court in North Adams. The Pittsfield Family YMCA is located at 292 North St. in Pittsfield. The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.
