Celebrating Community at Our Annual Meeting & Member Appreciation BBQ

There’s nothing quite like the smell of burgers on the grill and the sound of laughter on the patio to remind us just how special the YMCA of Greenwich community truly is. On Tuesday, May 20, we brought together members, staff, board members, and friends to celebrate another successful year at our Annual Meeting and Member Appreciation BBQ—and what a night it was!

Every year, this tradition gives us a chance to thank you—our members—for being such an important part of our Y family. We kicked things off with a festive barbecue, complete with grilled favorites, fresh salads, and sweet treats. Families and friends came together on the patio, sharing stories, smiles, and summer energy.

After the BBQ, we gathered for our Annual Meeting, where we looked back on the highlights of the past year and shared our vision for what’s ahead. One of the most meaningful parts of the evening was honoring a few of the incredible people who help make the Y a place where everyone belongs:

• Yolanda Jahan was named Volunteer of the Year for her unwavering dedication and generosity. A longtime volunteer timekeeper for our swim meets—even after her son aged out of the program—Yolanda continues to show up with heart, enthusiasm, and community spirit.

• Francesca Conway received the Employee of the Year award. Francesca brings joy and positivity to every group exercise class she leads, from yoga to HIIT. Her constant smile, willingness to help, and reliability have made her a member favorite and a valued teammate.

• George Szwajkowski was honored as our Rookie Employee of the Year for his incredible drive and leadership in his first year with us. As a key part of our Membership team and a Manager on Duty, George has already made a lasting impact with his professionalism, warmth, and dedication.

The Y was built by individuals like Yolanda, Francesca, and George—and it continues to grow and thrive because of their example. Congratulations to all three—we are truly grateful for everything you do.

We also extended our deep thanks to Shahryar Oveissi for serving on our Board of Directors for the past 10 years. His thoughtful leadership and commitment have been instrumental in helping guide the Y through seasons of growth and change.

Finally, we were thrilled to welcome three new board members: Jennifer Garcia-Alonso, Philip Lochner, and Susan Riordan. We look forward to the energy, ideas, and perspectives they’ll bring to our leadership team.

If you missed the meeting—or just want to revisit our year in review—you can click here to view the 2024 Annual Report.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special evening. Here’s to the year ahead—and all we’ll accomplish together!