MIDDLESEX YMCA

MIDDLETOWN, CT — David W. Glidden, president and CEO of Liberty Bank and President of the Liberty Bank Foundation, and Michele Rulnick, president and CEO of the Northern Middlesex YMCA in Middletown Monday jointly announced a $1 million grant from the Liberty Bank team to support the YMCA's All Together Better Capital Campaign.

 

The Northern Middlesex YMCA, which was founded 137 years ago, has been operatingout of its current facility on Union Street in Middletown since 1928. The Y expanded thefootprint in 1970s and renovated additional space in the mid 2000s.

 

The All Together Better campaign will support the expansion and renovation of theYMCA’s Union Street-Middletown facility, focusing on enhancing accessibility, efficiencyand flexible program spaces at the facility. Through this capital campaign, the YMCA'sgoal is to invest $15 million for what it calls a "once-in-a-generation renovation andexpansion project" that would ultimately lead to a complete transformation of the facility.

 

Another goal is to positioning the Y increase membership by 35% and build the capacityto extend services to more members of the Middletown community.

 

The extensive renovations will include providing new, dedicated space for youth and teen engagement; creating a new welcoming and inclusive lobby; enhancing Child Watch (babysitting); improving wellness spaces; making space for community programs supporting mental wellness and chronic disease prevention; adding a steam room, whirlpool and sauna; and improving locker rooms.

 

In addition, the Northern Middlesex YMCA continues its future planning to renovate andmodernize the historic Schwarz Residence for men so it can deliver affordable housing and combat homelessness for current and next generation of male residents.

 

"We are so grateful for Liberty Bank’s generous gift supporting our All Together BetterCapital Campaign. The Y's vision is to transform the historic building into a welcoming,accessible, modern facility well-positioned to serve future generations of children,individuals, and families," Rulnick said. "Liberty’s historic $1 million donation is a catalyst, showing faith in the project and the Y's pivotal role in strengthening our community. Liberty Bank has always been a role model for good corporate citizenship. We hope this demonstration of generosity and community investment will inspire others.”

 

Glidden said the capital campaign perfectly aligns "with the strongcommunity partnership we’ve enjoyed with the Northern Middlesex YMCA for more thana century."

 

He added, "That’s why we felt so deeply to step up, make a historic investment and helpkick-start a capital campaign that will transform the YMCA and better the lives ofindividuals and families from this region for generations to come. We agreed this was right project for Liberty to get behind and we hope others in the community who share our passion for the future success of the Northern Middlesex YMCA will too."

 

Lt. Gov. SusanBysiewicz said, "On behalf of the State of Connecticut, I applaud Liberty Bank and the Liberty Bank Foundation for its extraordinary corporate citizenship in making this historic contribution. When our business community, non-profit sector, and government come together in common purpose, there is no limit to what we can achieve. This project exemplifies the very best of those collaborative efforts, and your leadership sets an example for others to follow.”

 

Mayor Ben Florshein said The Middlesex YMCA is a unique and cherished institution.

"From housing to childcare to fitness and wellness programs and beyond, the services offered at the Y are an essential part of our community’s backbone," he said. "As we plan for the future ofthe Y and the historic building on Main Street that has been its home for nearly 100years, our whole community is rising to the occasion of supporting the Y that hassupported us for so long. "The extraordinary generosity of Liberty Bank in providing this grant is a reaffirmation of their deep involvement and support of Middletown — Liberty's hometown—and will provide significant momentum to the All Together Better campaign. The City of Middletown is proud to be a partner in this effort, and on behalf of all our residents who benefit from the Y, I am very grateful to Liberty Bank and the Liberty Bank Foundation for helping make our shared vision a reality."

 

The Northern Middlesex YMCA assembled a "Leadership Cabinet" comprised of volunteers to help raise money for the Capital Campaign. Funding sources include private philanthropy; corporate community; support from the state and federal government; additional YMCA investment; and debt servicing, if necessary.