The Somerset Hills YMCA Holds Its First ‘Strong Dogs Day’.

On Saturday, September 25th, from 9:00am – 1:30pm, the Y is holding ‘Strong Dogs Day’ in its own backyard. All two and four legged friends are welcome. The day will kick off with a blessing of the hounds, followed by a dog walkathon around a local neighborhood with stations such as Treat Street, Water Works and Scooper Way set up to support the participants in this all-sidewalk, one mile walk. There will be games, contests and giveaways as well as lectures, obedience training, speakers and much more. Many local vendors, kennels, and groomers will also attend. All proceeds will benefit Strong Kids, the Y’s Financial Assistance Campaign.

Cherrybrook Premium Pet Supplies has signed on as presenting ‘Top Dog’ sponsor of Strong Dogs Day. Cherrybrook has two retail stores in Bedminster and Broadway NJ. TD Bank has signed on as the Puppy Love Sponsor; TD Bank has 1,100 locations nationwide. Other sponsors include Camp BowWow, who signed up as the Wagging Tail sponsor; Autosport Honda as the Cold Wet Nose sponsor, and PNC Bank, The Stable, Ltd., and Tarheel Total Pet Care as Belly Scratch sponsors. Other opportunities are still available at most levels.

“The concept behind the event is to encourage the community to take steps toward a healthier lifestyle”, said Peter Barry, Director of Competitive Swimming at the Y and Strong Dogs coordinator. “Recently, there have been a number of reports that conclude that owning and walking a dog can lead to a healthier lifestyle. It’s along the lines of ‘Show me a healthy dog and I’ll show you a healthy family.’ When you consider the fact that more than 1,800 residents of Bernards Township alone have licensed dogs, we are expecting a terrific turnout that will benefit pet owners and our Strong Kids Financial Assistance Campaign. There will be plenty of promotions, dog ownership tips and giveaways for all attendees.”

For more information about Strong Dogs Day and opportunities to sponsor or be a vendor at the event, and to download the walkathon form, please visit www.somersethillsymca.org or contact Peter at pbarry@somersethillsymca.org or 908.630.3531.

The Somerset Hills YMCA is a charitable community service organization, rooted in Christian values and dedicated to helping all people grow in spirit, mind and body. We are guided by our core principles of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

For more information, please visit www.somersethillsymca.org or call 908-766-7898.

23rd Annual Somerset Hills YMCA Volunteer Recognition Night

In Celebration of the Volunteers Who Give So Much to Our Community

The 23rd annual Somerset Hills YMCA Volunteer Recognition Night will be held on Thursday, November 18th from 6:00-10:00pm at the Olde Mill Inn in Basking Ridge to acknowledge the hard work of the community’s volunteers. The event provides organizations the opportunity to honor their own volunteers, share in the community’s spirit of volunteerism and learn about one another’s groups and volunteer programs. The event is coordinated and presented by the Somerset Hills YMCA. Tad Waldbauer, Chairman of the Somerset Hills YMCA board of directors, will be the master of ceremonies.



Among the many award recipients and community non-profit organizations participating in the event, the Somerset Hills YMCA presents four awards in total. The first is named the Millicent Fenwick Memorial Civic Award which recognizes an area individual or organization for commendable leadership and service. Nominations are now being invited for this prestigious award.



Other awards include the Somerset Hills YMCA Distinguished Adult Volunteer Award; the Somerset Hills YMCA Distinguished Youth Volunteer Award and the Somerset Hills YMCA Distinguished Family Volunteer of the Year Award. Nominations are now being sought for each category; non profit organizations are invited to participate and recognize one of their own outstanding volunteers.



Volunteer Recognition Night began in 1988 as a champagne reception in the YMCA’s gym and, after three years, was moved to the Somerset Hills Hotel in Warren. As the event continued to grow, it was moved to the Olde Mill Inn. For nomination criteria and for more information, please contact Sylvia Velez, Director of Volunteer Services, at svelez@somersethillsymca.org or 908.766.7898 X1530 or visit www.somersethillsymca.org





The Somerset Hills YMCA is a charitable community service organization, rooted in Christian values and dedicated to helping all people grow in spirit, mind and body. We are guided by our core principles of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

Somerset Hills YMCA’s Healthy Outcomes Partnership Announces New Partnership Agreement with Community YMCA

Members of the Healthy Outcomes Partnership (HOP) initiative of the Somerset Hills YMCA

On the heels of its successful Mental Health Week in May, the Healthy Outcomes Partnership (HOP) initiative of the Somerset Hills YMCA is proud to announce its recent agreement to collaborate with the Red Bank, NJ-based Community YMCA’s Counseling and Social Services Division. Community YMCA staff members will occupy an office at the Somerset Hills YMCA for administrative and training purposes only beginning August 1, 2010. From that base of operations, behavioral assistance counselors and mentors will go out into the community to provide treatment in the home setting.

The Community YMCA has provided behavioral health services for more than 35 years to the people of Monmouth County; the partnership with HOP and the Somerset Hills YMCA will bring the Community Y’s proven track record and expertise in home-based counseling and mentoring to the northern part of Somerset County, and will be geared specifically to at-risk youths and their families.

“Mental Health Week at the YMCA was extremely well-received, and attracted more than 350 people who wanted to learn and talk about a variety of mental health topics,” said Lauren Luik, HOP Steering Committee chair and member of the Somerset Hills YMCA Board of Directors. “Our collaboration with the Community YMCA represents one more step that HOP and the Somerset Hills Y are taking to help ensure that the people of our community have access to the resources they need to address and overcome behavioral health issues.”

The Community YMCA’s Family Services program has provided community based mentoring, behavioral assistance and in-home therapeutic services for children referred through the auspices of the New Jersey Department of Children’s Behavioral Health Service for eight years; the program began in Monmouth County, but now serves children in six surrounding counties, including parts of Somerset County. “The new partnership offers us not only a physical presence in the northern part of the County, but an alliance with the Somerset Hills YMCA, a well known and respected organization with similar values and mission,” said George Hunt, Vice President, Counseling and Social Services, Community YMCA.

“Though counseling services will not be offered at the Somerset Hills YMCA through this partnership, we believe it is an important strategic alliance that will help guide us toward HOP’s ultimate objective -- to create a mental health resource and referral service right here at the Y,” said Bob Lomauro, President and CEO of the organization.

HOP is a volunteer coalition of experts in psychology, social work, school guidance, public health, adolescent medicine, pastoral care and community education that is exploring the common hurdles that prevent people from having healthy relationships. Among these issues are depression and anxiety caused by job loss, marital and family conflict or caring for an ill or disabled loved one, as well as serious mental illnesses that cause tremendous distress to the individual and his or her loved ones. A long-term goal of HOP is to create a resource and referral service that links community members to the services they need to deal with these problems. In the short-term, HOP is focused on community education and creating dialogue about mental health as an important part of overall health and well-being.

For more information, please visit www.somersethillsymca.org or call 908-766-7898 ext.1536

A Brand New Day: The YMCA Unveils New Brand Strategy to Further Community Impact

Community to benefit from the Somerset Hills YMCA’s focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility

[BASKING RIDGE, NJ] (July 13, 2010) – For the first time in 43 years, YMCA of the USA has unveiled a new brand strategy to increase understanding of the impact that YMCAs make in communities across the country. The YMCA has the unique capacity to address many of the challenges facing the nation today. Through its new brand strategy and framework, the nonprofit will extend its reach into communities to nurture the potential of youth and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being and provide opportunities to support neighbors.

The new brand strategy – the result of more than two years of analysis and research – was introduced this week at a National Press Club event that included leaders from the philanthropic and nonprofit communities. As part of the event, the YMCA unveiled a new, more forward-looking logo that reflects the vibrancy and diversity of the organization, and a framework that focuses resources on three core areas: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. In another major change, the nonprofit will be called “the Y” to align with how people most commonly refer to the organization.

“The Somerset Hills YMCA is truly excited about the new brand strategy and the opportunity to engage more people in the areas of healthy living, social responsibility and youth development,” said Bob Lomauro, President/CEO of the Somerset Hills YMCA. “There are many exciting changes taking place at the Somerset Hills YMCA – we are building momentum, and this strategy is getting everyone from our volunteers to our members and donors very excited.”

“In our own community, we are focusing on critical needs such as combating childhood obesity, and offering free support programs to cancer survivors and those in job transition, to name just a few,” said Lomauro. “Youth Strength Training, Livestrong at the YMCA and Career Forum are examples of programs that are helping people in our community overcome these issues.”

Today, across the United States, Ys are making a difference in three key areas of focus:

· Youth Development: Nurturing the potential of every child and teen
· Healthy Living: Improving the nation’s health and well-being
· Social Responsibility: Giving back and providing support to our neighbors

“This is a very important, exciting time for the Y,” said Neil Nicoll, president and CEO of YMCA of the USA. “For 160 years, we’ve focused on changing lives for the better. Our commitment to building greater awareness for the important work we do will enable us to expand our efforts and further strengthen communities across the country.”

The Y’s former logo had been in place since 1967 and was the organization’s sixth since its inception. The refreshed logo, with its multiple color options and new, contemporary look, better reflects the vibrancy of the Y and the diversity of the communities it serves. The new logo’s bold, active and welcoming shape symbolizes the Y’s commitment to personal and social progress. Ys across the country will fully transition to the new brand within five years.


For more information, please visit www.somersethillsymca.org or call 908-766-7898.

Autism on Film; a Saturdays in Motion Event

Acclaimed short films event to raise funds for YMCA program for children with autism and their families.

On Tuesday, June 29th at 7:30pm, the Somerset Hills YMCA is proud to present two award-winning short films at the Bernards High School auditorium. The event will benefit the Somerset Hills YMCA’s Strong Kids Campaign that supports Saturdays in Motion, a recreational program for children with autism and their families, as well as other community outreach programs. Tickets, available at the door, are $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors, $5 for children or $40 for a family pack.

The films document the remarkable journey that two young men with autism have taken, drawing on their extraordinary talent. ‘Breaking Boundaries: the Art of Alex Masket,’ directed by Dennis Connors, has been featured in ten film festivals including the Berkshire International Film Festival, the NJ International Film Festival and the Black Maria Film Festival. ‘Daniel’s Bar Mitzvah,’ directed by Michael Raynes, is an award-winning finalist at the Downtown NY Short Film Festival.

“These two young men, Alex Masket and Michael Raynes, have been involved in Saturdays in Motion for more than 15 years, Alex as a participant and Michael as a volunteer. It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase their artistic talent while raising funds for a cause that is close to both of their hearts. These short films are powerful and raise awareness about the need to support all individuals with special needs,” said Art Raynes, founder and long-time volunteer of the Saturdays in Motion program at the Somerset Hills YMCA.

For more information or for advance ticket sales, please contact Lauren Lomauro at 908 766 7898 ext. 1343 or llomauro@somersethillsymca.org

The Somerset Hills YMCA is a charitable community service organization, rooted in Christian values and dedicated to helping all people grow in spirit, mind and body. We are guided by our core principles of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

For more information, please visit www.somersethillsymca.org or call 908-766-7898.

The Somerset Hills YMCA Invites the Community to The YMCA Healthy Kids® Day.

The Somerset Hills YMCA will be hosting Healthy Kids® Day, Saturday April 17th in its own backyard, 140 Mount Airy Rd, Basking Ridge, from 1-4pm. Along with a host of community partners, the Somerset Hills YMCA will provide fun activities, live music and dance demonstrations. Arts and crafts, prizes and giveaways will also be provided. Families in the community, members and non members alike, are invited to take part in this fun, free day of active play and resources for healthier living.

Bernards Township Mayor Scott Spitzer will address attendees at the event, highlighting the partnership between Bernards Township and the Somerset Hills YMCA and their joint efforts to raise awareness of the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign. The Campaign’s mission is to equip mayors and other key leaders, such as the Somerset Hills YMCA, with the tools to develop and implement active-living initiatives in their communities.

Lead sponsor for the event is ShopRite® of Bernardsville. Other sponsors include Wendy Sanger, D.M.D., Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, and T3 Lacrosse, NJ. “As a lead up to this fun event, we are opening our doors to our community and inviting them to come and ‘Try the Y for Free’ from Saturday, April 10th to 17th. There are so many programs and opportunities to enjoy and it’s the perfect time for any member of our community to step inside and give us a try,” said Jennifer Williford, Senior Director of Membership Development.

Healthy Kids® Day is part of a nationwide initiative of more than 1,700 YMCAs in support of families making healthful changes in spirit, mind and body. Said Sue Diebold, Director of Wellness at the Somerset Hills YMCA, “Parents should be the primary role model for their children and set an example for how much a family eats, how much time they spend together and even how they play together. Healthy Kids® Day offers families ideas and support for positive change while having fun.”

For more information about Healthy Kids® Day, visit www.somersethillsymca.org or contact Jen Brumbaugh at 908.903.0870 ext. 3 or jbrumbaugh@somersethillsymca.org. To ‘Try the Y for Free,’ please stop in at our locations at Riverwalk or at 140 Mount Airy Road and inquire at the Welcome Center.

To find more tips on how to make your home healthier, please visit www.healthyfamilyhome.org..

Healthy Outcomes Partnership Plans Week-Long Mental Health Event.

Healthy Outcomes Parternship Steering Committee Meets to Plan Mental Health Week at the Somerset Hill YMCA. Seated, left to right: Ellie Rose, MD; Reverend Greg Miller, Covenant Chapel Reformed Episcopal Church; Mary Jane Postal, Somerset County Mental Health Board, Sharon Kelly, Atlantic Health System.

Standing, left to right: Connie Moore, Julie Yanenko and Jonathan Yoesting, Somerset Hills YMCA; Lauren Luik, HOP Steering Committee Chair; Bill Kimzey, BernardsVoices.org; Susan Kamins, Somerset Hills YMCA; Christine Rose, Somerset County Office of Youth Services; Audrey Taffet, Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills; and Judi Logan.


[BASKING RIDGE, NJ] -- The Somerset Hills YMCA, in alliance with the Healthy Outcomes Partnership (HOP), is currently planning a week-long education and information event for May 10-15, 2010 that will be focused exclusively on mental health. The event will include numerous talks, workshops and exhibits presented by experts and organizations on a variety of mental health issues. During that week, the Somerset Hills YMCA will welcome keynote speaker, Dr. Brad Sachs, who is a psychologist, educator, consultant and best-selling author specializing in clinical work with children, adolescents, couples, and families, in Columbia, Maryland. His most recent book, When No One Understands: Letters To a Teenager On Life, Loss, And The Hard Road To Adulthood, was published in 2007, and is based on his between-sessions correspondence with a suicidal adolescent whom he was treating. He has been interviewed on over three hundred radio and television shows, including The Today Show, and 20/20.

“HOP brings together mental and behavioral health professionals with concerned community leaders, all of whom generously volunteer their time to seek ways of providing better access to the resources people need to deal with difficult emotional issues and to have healthier relationships,” said Lauren Luik, HOP Steering Committee Chair and a member of the Board of Directors at the Somerset Hills YMCA. “Statistics show that 25% of the population -- AND our community -- are affected by a mental illness. So, even if you are not among that 25% at this point in your life, you may have been in the past, may be in the future, or may currently be concerned about the mental, emotional, developmental or behavioral problems of a loved one, friend or co-worker.”

With the support and leadership of the Somerset Hills YMCA, the Healthy Outcomes Partnership was formed in March 2009. Last year, HOP launched its educational initiative with a panel discussion and community forum, “Who Pulled the Rug Out? A Community Conversation about Economic Uncertainty and Its Affect on Us All.” The event drew an audience of more than 100 residents and incited provocative conversation. HOP members and other organizations offered resources, contact information and direct assistance during a reception after the event.

HOP is a volunteer coalition of experts that is exploring the common hurdles that prevent people from having healthy relationships. Among these issues are depression and anxiety caused by job loss, marital and family conflict or caring for an ill or disabled loved one, as well as serious mental illnesses that cause tremendous distress to the individual and his or her loved ones. A long-term goal of HOP is to create a resource and referral service that links community members to the services they need to deal with these problems. In the short-term, HOP is focused on community education and creating dialogue about mental health as an important part of overall health and well-being.

Members of the HOP Steering Committee include representatives from Bernards Township Health Department, Bernards Township Police Department, Bernards Township School District, Somerset Hills School District, Community Hope, Covenant Chapel Reformed Episcopal Church, King of Kings Ministry, Paterson Family Success Center, Somerset County Department of Human Services, Somerset County Office of Youth Services, Somerset Hills YMCA, Visiting Nurse Association of the Somerset Hills and many other health professionals, community volunteers and YMCA staff members.

For more information or to get involved in HOP, please visit http://www.somersethillsymca.org/ or call Susan Kamins at 908.766.7898 ext. 1590.


The Somerset Hills YMCA is a charitable community service organization, rooted in Christian values and dedicated to helping all people grow in spirit, mind and body. We are guided by our core principles of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

For more information, please visit www.somersethillsymca.org or call 908-766-7898.