WORCESTER — Raymond Quinlan, board chair of the YMCA of Central Massachusetts and John Doyle, immediate past board president of the Montachusett Regional YMCA have announced that effective Sept. 30, both organizations will formally join to form one YMCA Association.
The combined association will have four branches serving nearly 60 communities in the Central and Northern Worcester County Region.
This joint venture is the result of more than a year’s worth of analysis and planning. The process began in October 2010, when the boards of directors of the YMCA of Central Massachusetts and the Montachusett Regional YMCA commissioned a task force to explore and evaluate the sharing of resources, services and management oversight.
Based on the success of this initial arrangement, both boards voted to work towards a permanent unification.
“The Montachussett Regional YMCA is very pleased with this outcome and we look forward to advancing the YMCA’s cause in the communities we serve, as well as throughout Central Massachusetts,” stated John Doyle.
Kathryn Zingg Hunter, president/CEO of the YMCA of Central Massachusetts, will serve as CEO of the new association.
“We are thrilled and excited to move ahead as one, united entity,” said Hunter. “Because of the collaborative relationship that already existed and the potential to provide greater impact in both service areas, it made sense for our organizations to join together to more effectively address critical community needs.”
The new arrangement calls for the Montachusett Regional YMCA Fitchburg facility to become the fourth branch in the association, joining the Central Community and Greendale Family Branches in Worcester and the Boroughs Family Branch in Westboro.
Jeffrey Stephens will serve as the chairman of the Montachusett Community Branch Board of Governors and will have a seat on the board of the YMCA of Central Massachusetts along with new directors John Doyle, Elisha Erb and Ross Dik. David Connell, regional executive director, will manage the day-to-day operations of the new Montachusett Community Branch and will also continue to provide leadership at the Central Community Branch.
“The quality of services that our members have come to know and highly value will continue to be a primary goal,” explained Connell. “With excellent reputations and community relationships, both organizations have great legacies, which will enable the new association to advance its cause of strengthening the foundations of community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.”
The YMCA of Central Massachusetts’ headquarters will remain at its current location at 766 Main St. in Worcester. In the coming months, the combined association will announce further benefits of this unique partnership. Information about both organizations can be found at www.ymcaofcm.org and www.montymca.org.
Source: sentinelandenterprise.com
