The Team Behind the Mission: Meet our Membership Associates

What members experience when they walk through the doors of the YMCA of Greenwich begins long before they check in at the front desk. Behind the scenes, the culture among staff helps shape the welcoming environment that defines the Y experience.

Judy Reda, a longtime Membership Associate, has long committed to helping others. She began her career as a caregiver and always planned to remain in a people-centered field. In 2012, she joined the YMCA of Greenwich. What initially drew her to the position was the “strong sense of community and the support [the Y] provides to people in need.” Through community outreach programs like Running Start, LIVESTRONG®, and Parkinson’s Body & Mind, Judy enjoys how the Y translates its values into real-world community impact.

She describes her coworkers as "extremely nice," creating an atmosphere where people feel comfortable, supported, and respected. There is a genuine bond among the staff at the YMCA of Greenwich that extends beyond daily responsibilities. It is a shared sense of purpose. They are not just coworkers, but a team. As her fellow, long-time Membership Associate, Marcia Sewell, puts it, “everyone is willing to share. No one is working alone.”

When staff genuinely support each other and the work they do, it creates an atmosphere that members can feel the moment they walk in. After spending three decades as a member of the YMCA of Greenwich before joining the staff, Grace Fratello, another Membership Associate, has witnessed how this culture keeps people connected and engaged with the Y year after year. “I like being with people, it’s fun,” Grace says.

All YMCA of Greenwich employees receive a complimentary membership, a benefit that supports healthy, active living and strengthens their connection to the community and the mission of the Y. Grace has taken full advantage of this opportunity and appreciates the wide range of programs and events offered through the Y. Pickleball and the spin group exercise classes are among some of her favorite programs.

There is no place like this place. Working at the YMCA of Greenwich is more than just another job opportunity, but a career with a future and the opportunity to make a lasting community impact. From members to volunteers to staff, the YMCA of Greenwich helps everyone find purpose and contribute to something meaningful, continuing the cycle of care and growth that makes the Y so special.