Home Away from Home
Celebrating Lifelong Bonds at the Y
#ForHealthyLiving #MemberHighlight #YForAll
When you join the Y, you are more than just a member; you become part of our family. Being a member of the YMCA of Greenwich means being part of something bigger. People of all ages and backgrounds find a place where they can belong, support each other, and build lasting relationships. It's a place where everyone feels at home.
Recently, one of our members, Carol Ann Redfield, shared a heartfelt story about the positive, generational impact of the Y on her family. Carol Ann is one of five siblings, each of which learned to swim at the Y and went on to swim competitively at the collegiate level. Carol Ann now teaches swimming at the YMCA of Raleigh in North Carolina. Her sister, Kate Tiedemann, coaches swimming at the YMCA of Rye in New York and her niece, Megan Tiedmann, plays water polo here at our YMCA of Greenwich.
Carol Ann’s mother, Terry Heller, is a beloved figure at our YMCA, swimming in the Olympic Pool’s first lane every weekday. To celebrate her 90th birthday, Angela Reeve, our American Red Cross Instructor, contacted Kate to coordinate the special day. From the moment Terry arrived, Tess Bracchitta at the front desk greeted her with her familiar, warm smile and a birthday song.
At the pool, lifeguards Gillian Judge, Georgia Guss, Danny Contino, and Aquatics Head Coach Patrick Kennedy presented Terry with a tiara, a sash, and a bag of chocolate kisses, each adorned with custom "90" stickers. Pink "90" balloons and decorations lined the walls. Patrick played Terry’s favorite Irish tunes, while Angela added to the festivity with a bubble machine. The team even surprised Terry with a thoughtful message on the jumbotron.
At the heart of the YMCA of Greenwich are our staff. Guided by our core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, they build genuine connections within our community, fostering a sense of belonging for all. Their unwavering dedication creates a strong foundation for our members to achieve their goals, making our facility a true home away from home.
At the Y, we believe in empowering everyone to reach their full potential. Our mission is to ensure individuals and communities thrive. Through our programs and supportive community, we strive to empower people of all ages and activity levels. For more information on how to be a part of our vibrant community please visit https://www.greenwichymca.org/join/benefits.