Agreement Brings New Leadership, Expanded Resources To Allentown Facility
Allentown, Pa. – Six months of preparation have positioned the Allentown YMCA and YWCA to enter the second half of 2016 fortified with new leadership, new partners and expanded resources thanks to a merger agreement with the Greater Valley YMCA that was approved in late spring.
The merger was approved May 23 by a majority of voting members from both organizations.
The vote follows a management agreement reached earlier this year between the Allentown organizations and the Greater Valley Y that brought Executive Branch Director Cheryl Tuturice to lead the Allentown YMCA.
“This is the fifth merger in the last six years and will make us the 5th largest YMCA in the state of Pennsylvania. We are proud to say the Greater Valley YMCA now includes all YMCA facilities in Northampton and Lehigh Counties,” said Frank Frey, who just retired as President and CEO of the Greater Valley YMCA.
Greater Valley Y officials announced in June that Frey will be replaced in August by David Fagerstrom, who currently serves as President and CEO of the River Valley Regional YMCA (Williamsport), a position he has held since 2006. Fagerstrom has 30 years of experience in the YMCA movement, with a strong track record of helping to advance the mission impact and financial stability of YMCAs.
Members of the merged Y will be able to access any of the Greater Valley YMCA’s branches, including the Bethlehem YMCA; YMCA of Easton, Phillipsburg & Vicinity; Forks YMCA Education Center; Nazareth YMCA; Slate Belt YMCA and Suburban North YMCA with membership still based at the member’s home branch. Members will be able to take free classes at all branches. The merger plan allows the combined Ys to reduce costs and increase services, positively impacting their abilities to strengthen the community.
Tuturice brings 23 years of non-profit experience to Allentown and has worked with the Greater Valley YMCA since 1998, serving first as Senior Director of Child Care Services for the Greater Valley Y and the Family YMCA of Easton, including the Phillipsburg & Vicinity branch. She served as Branch Director of the Forks Branch from 2012-15 and as Branch Director in the Nazareth Branch in 2015-16.
“Having this agreement with the Greater Valley YMCA and working together allows us to develop more opportunities,” said Peter Dent, President of the Allentown YMCA Board of Directors. “It gives us the ability to advance the Y’s mission regionally more than we could on our own. And Cheryl is a great YMCA professional with significant non-profit experience, especially in early childhood education.”
“The merger with the Greater Valley Y puts us in the position to share resources, including staff, and brings additional expertise to our operation,” said Mar Haeussler, president of the Allentown YWCA Board of Directors. “We will benefit from a bigger marketing budget and grant-writing and Cheryl’s experience will help us adjust and expand our fitness programs and facilities, along with other programs, to better meet the needs of our members.”
The past few years have brought significant changes and improvements to the Allentown Y, including the transition from a chlorine-treated to salt-water pool and a new floor in the large gymnasium. Membership has increased 17 percent over the past year to approximately 3,800 current members, Tuturice said.
To learn more about the Allentown YMCA, please go to http://allentownymcaywca.org/.
The Greater Valley YMCA is committed to changing lives across our community. At each of our separate but united branches, we teach the values of living healthy lifestyles, strengthen the family unit and help youngsters and adults feel good about themselves, developing in them a sense of dignity and self-worth. We serve the entire community, from the young child just learning to swim to the active older adult seeking the social, recreational, and physical activities the Y offers. Community members are served regardless of age, race, gender, religious affiliation, or ability to pay. Membership fees are reasonable and several payment options are provided, as is financial assistance. http://www.greatervalleyymca.org/
