The YMCA of Greater New York announced Monday a $50,000 grant from clean energy developer Ørsted, a gift that will support three Bronx locations – Castle Hill, Northeast Bronx and La Central. The grant will subsidize a significant number of YMCA memberships, covering up to 80% of the cost of a 12-month membership for several hundred families and individuals across the Bronx.
“The YMCA of Greater New York is designed to be accessible to all New Yorkers and this grant from Ørsted goes a long way to help make that a reality,” said Sharon Greenberger, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York. “Our Bronx locations bring health, education and civic engagement programs to the local community and we are thrilled to help even more of our Bronx neighbors become members through this grant.”
The Bronx is home to historically low-income and under-resourced neighborhoods. In the Bronx, nearly 25% to 33% of the residents have incomes falling below the NYC poverty threshold rates. As such, nearly half of residents spend more than 35% of their incomes on rent. In addition, nearly one-quarter of residents are youth. Decades of being under-resourced has resulted in residents experiencing disproportionate health impacts, including a high incidence of chronic diseases, diabetes, hypertension and obesity.
Ørsted, a global clean energy leader, is currently building the South Fork Wind farm, New York’s first offshore wind farm, and developing the Sunrise Wind farm to bring clean, renewable energy to more than 650,000 New York homes. The company has also proposed the Sunrise Wind 2 project, which would generate billions of dollars in economic activity, create thousands of new jobs, and continue advancing environmental justice and opportunities for disadvantaged communities and minority- and women-owned enterprises – all while helping New York achieve its climate goals.
“We’re proud to join forces with the YMCA to provide health and wellness resources for communities in the Bronx, an area that for far too long has experienced the negative health impacts of fossil fuel emissions,” said Kevin Hansen, head of government affairs and policy for New York at Ørsted. “As one of the world’s most sustainable energy companies, Ørsted prides itself as a community partner, and we are committed to improving the wellbeing and health of the communities we work in. Our clean energy projects will contribute to cleaner air and a healthier environment for communities like the Bronx. We’re honored to support the pillars of community building that are The Y’s Bronx branches.”
Increased accessibility to YMCA programs provides members with a host of health and wellness services, such as group exercise, swimming, weights, COVID-19 vaccination, cardio and functional training, food, nutrition and chronic disease management programs. The YMCA also provides additional opportunities for youth and civic development, such as youth sports, educational and leadership programs and civic programs like holiday family programming and food and clothing drives.
In the coming weeks, the YMCA will host sign-up and family day events across the three branches to increase awareness about the facilities and the various programs available for Bronx residents.
To learn more about the Greater YMCA of New York, visit the YMCA’s website.
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