Community Resource

The Gateway Family YMCA

(908) 249-4800
Elizabeth

Gateway Family YMCA

The Gateway Family YMCA (formerly The YMCA of Eastern Union County) is a powerful association of men, women and children of all ages and from all walks of life joined together by a shared passion: to strengthen the foundations of community.

With a commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility, the Y ensures that every individual has access to the essentials needed to learn, grow and thrive. Anchored in more than 13 neighborhoods throughout Eastern Union and Middlesex Counties in New Jersey, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.

Though the world may be unpredictable, one thing remains certain – the Y is, and always will be, dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities.

We serve nine Union County communities (Clark, Elizabeth, Hillside, Linden, Kenilworth, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park and Union) and three Middlesex communities (Avenel, Carteret, Colonia, Port Reading, Sewaren, Winfield Park, and Woodbridge). We have a registered membership of nearly 15,000 and an annual operating budget of $12 million.

The YMCA has four full facility branches in Elizabeth, Rahway and Union (Five Points Tucker & Wellness Center). In addition, four preschool childcare centers and 30 school age child care sites in schools located in Elizabeth, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden, Rahway and Union. Senior Day Care is provided through the W.I.S.E. Center located in Union (see Five Points Branch information).

BRANCH LOCATIONS

  • Elizabeth Branch
  • Five Points Branch
  • Wellness Center Branch
  • Rahway Branch

CORE PROGRAMS

Early Learning Readiness
Caring and Learning for Me classes support caregivers and their young children with early learning engagement. The program assists caregivers through education and support to develop the children and get them “school ready”. This family-child interaction learning environment program has been proven to be successful in laying a successful and educational foundation for young children ages zero through 5 years old.

Early Learning Readiness (ELR) is a free preschool age child are caregiver program open to all community participants

The Gateway Family YMCA offers Early Learning Readiness in both Elizabeth and Rahway, NJ. Classes are offered in Spanish and English at both locations.

  • Elizabeth Branch – 135 Madison Avenue, Elizabeth NJ
    Monday and Wednesday 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (English)
    Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 AM-12:00 PM (Bilingual, Spanish)
  • First Presbyterian Church (Rahway Branch) – 1731 Church Street, Rahway NJ
    Monday and Wednesday 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Bilingual, Spanish)
    Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (English)

Registration is required.

For more information contact:
Michael Johnson – 908-249-4809 or [email protected]

School Age Child Care
We impact our community by nurturing and developing healthy habits in children through supportive staff who assist children in reaching their full potential through experiences and learning in a caring, honest, respectful and responsible atmosphere. Learning together, playing together, becoming part of a family that supports fun, friendship and endless possibilities.

The Gateway Family YMCA offers School Age Child Care in the following areas: Elizabeth, Linden, Rahway, and Union at your child’s school.

Elizabeth Branch
135 Madison Avenue
Elizabeth NJ 07201
908-355-9622
Contact: Jessica Samolewicz, Associate Executive Director

Programs in:

  • Winfield Scott School # 2
  • Elmora School # 12
  • Abraham Lincoln School # 14
  • Madison Monroe School #16
  • Robert Morris School # 18
  • Woodrow Wilson School #19
  • Antonia Pantoja School #27

Five Points Branch
201 Tucker Avenue
Union NJ 07083
908-688-9622
Contact: Laura Margeotes, SACC & Camp Director

  • Union
    • Battle Hill
    • Connecticut Farms
    • Franklin
    • Hannah Caldwell
    • Livingston
    • Washington

Rahway Branch
1564 Irving Street
Rahway NJ 07065
732-388-0057
Contact Lindsay Sudia, Senior Program Director

  • Linden
    • School #1
    • School #2
    • School #5
    • School #6
    • School #8
    • School #9
    • School #10
  • Rahway
    • Grover Cleveland
    • Franklin
    • Madison
    • Roosevelt

The Gateway Family YMCA is Providing Free Family Memberships to Full Time Before/After School and Child Care Participants paying through bank draft. Register at your local branch.

Camp
The Gateway Family YMCA offers camp programs at 3 branch locations Elizabeth, Five Points and Rahway Branches

Benefits of our Program

  • Safe and Secure Facilities
  • Trained and Compassionate Staff
  • Weekly themed program activities
  • Weekly Swimming
  • New Friendships
  • AM and PM Extended Care Offered Weekly
  • Exciting Trip Opportunities
  • 10% discount rate for siblings
  • Experiences to last a lifetime
  • Financial Assistance is available

The Gateway Family YMCA offers other programs, such as youth, teen, and family membership and programs, at our Elizabeth, Five Points and Rahway branches

Adult Day Services are available through the W.I.S.E. Center at the Wellness Center Branch:

Wellness Center Branch
W.I.S.E. Center
United Methodist Church
2095 Berwyn Street
Union NJ 07083

908-687-2995

Residential Programs:
The Gateway Family YMCA offers a variety of housing opportunities at our Elizabeth Branch.

Benefits of our Program

  • Safe and Secure Facilities
  • Trained and Compassionate Staff
  • Men’s Dormitory
  • Transitional Housing
  • Temporary housing for individuals, men and women with children
  • Supportive housing for Individuals and families
  • Low cost affordable housing for individuals and families

 

Age Groups
  • Children
  • Adolescents
  • Adults
  • Seniors
Community Services
Arts & Recreation
Community
Family & Support Services
Seasonal Programs
Payment Options
  • Scholarships / Financial Aid
  • Self Pay
  • Sliding Scale / Payment Plans
  • State-Public Contracted Service
Areas Served
  • Union County

Last Updated: 06/22/23