Beyond Our Walls - A Community That Gives Back
At the Y, community is about more than the people we see in our fitness classes, the friendships we build, or the familiar faces we greet when walking through the doors. It’s also about the connections we make beyond those walls and the ways we can come together to make a difference in the places we call home.
At the Saratoga Regional YMCA, TOGETHERHOOD brings that commitment to life by giving members opportunities to volunteer their time, share their interests, and support organizations throughout the community.
As the Y’s signature program for Social Responsibility, TOGETHERHOOD is a member-led volunteer initiative that identifies local needs and organizes service projects to help address them. From collecting school supplies and repairing children’s books to organizing food and hygiene drives, the group brings YMCA members together around a shared purpose: giving back.
“The purpose of TOGETHERHOOD is really community service. We want to go out into the community, identify where the needs are, and find ways that we can provide assistance through different volunteer activities,” explained Susan, one of the group’s co-chairs.
Susan has been involved with TOGETHERHOOD since the program was first established, drawn by her appreciation for the YMCA and a desire to find additional ways to give back. Fellow co-chair Jill joined after getting to know Susan and another volunteer through a Women on Weights class at the Y. Over the years, both women have participated in projects that have left a lasting impression.
For Susan, some of the most meaningful experiences have involved supporting children’s literacy through book cleaning and repair projects, helping prepare books to be distributed to children throughout the community. “One of my favorite projects is the work we do with children’s literacy. We help clean and repair books, and it’s really rewarding knowing those books are going back out into the community for children to enjoy,” Susan shared.
For Jill, the impact is especially apparent through the group’s collection drives, which support organizations including Shelters of Saratoga, Franklin Community Center, and local school districts. “The organizations we work with are always so incredibly grateful for the support they receive,” Jill shared. “It really makes you feel like the time and effort you’re putting in is worthwhile and that you’re making a difference.”
Susan has witnessed that gratitude firsthand through TOGETHERHOOD’s ongoing relationship with Shelters of Saratoga. “Sometimes when we drop off donations, the residents will come out and thank us personally,” Susan shared. “They’re genuinely grateful for the food and other necessities that people donate, and those moments really stay with you.”
It’s those interactions that offer a reminder of why the group does what it does. Behind every collection drive, volunteer project, and donated item are people whose lives may be made a little easier because someone in their community chose to help. And while TOGETHERHOOD’s work makes a difference for the organizations it supports, the experience also creates meaningful connections among the volunteers themselves.
“I think the YMCA community extends well beyond fitness and working out. It’s about the connections we make with one another and finding ways to give back to the community around us,” Susan shared.
That sense of connection is also reflected in the way TOGETHERHOOD welcomes volunteers. Unlike opportunities that require a regular weekly or monthly commitment, members can participate in projects that interest them whenever their schedules allow.
“We’ve intentionally structured TOGETHERHOOD to be flexible because we understand that everyone has different schedules and commitments,” Susan explained. “It’s really about getting involved when you have the time and finding an opportunity that works for you. We’re grateful for any help that people are able to give.
The group welcomes volunteers of all ages, including families who want to participate together, and encourages members to share ideas for future projects. Those passionate about a particular organization or cause can even take the lead in organizing a volunteer initiative.
Some volunteers may have time to participate in several projects throughout the year, while others may only be able to help with one. Regardless of how much time someone can give, each contribution plays a part in supporting the community around them.
Because at the Y, community isn’t limited to what happens inside our buildings. It’s also found in the relationships we build, the neighbors we support, and the ways we show up for one another beyond our walls.
The Y IS The Lending a Hand Place. And there’s No Place Like This Place!
Want to get involved?
TOGETHERHOOD is currently hosting a food and hygiene drive to benefit Shelters of Saratoga through November 1st. Collection boxes are available at the Saratoga Springs, Wilton, and Malta YMCA branches.
Members interested in volunteering, learning about upcoming projects, or sharing ideas for future initiatives are encouraged to reach out to TOGETHERHOOD co-chairs Susan and Jill at togeterhood@srymca.org.