YMCA is not just for swimmers and Conversation with Marcia Gay Harden

I love the YMCA. As a non-swimmer, I felt it was important that my daughter learn how to swim. And where is the best place to learn how, the Y of course. You can find us every Saturday morning at the Y. She started when she was 6 months old and now is swimming laps. How cool is that?

Last week, I was invited to the YMCA Tri-State Headququarters at their 63rd Street location for a tour, Marcus Samuelsson lunch and conversation with Academy Award winner Marcia Gay Harden, their official spokesperson.

For me, I was amazed to learn that the Y is not just about swimming and classes but really is part of the community. Jack Lund, the CEO of the YMCA provided a sense of all that the Y does for the community. There are 24 locations throughout the metro area and serves over 2,000 kids and provides a multitude of activities from day camps, after school activities, birthday parties, early childhood development programs, parents night out and so much more.

Two programs that made me really perk up is the Global Teens program which gives teens the opportunity to travel abroad to participate in community service and bring back what they learn back to the community and Sleepaway Camps on 1,100 acres of NY YMCA camp.

Finally, I would be remiss in not mentioning that the Y offers financial assistance to families so they won’t be left out. That’s incredible to the community at large.

As if that was not enough, we were treated to an interview with Academy Award Winner Marcia Gay Harden by NY1’s Roger King.
I loved hearing Ms. Harden’s refreshing view on living in New York and her love and support of the Y especially when it comes to the “community of the Y. She talked about how she discovered the Y and all it’s offering not just for children but for her. I loved that she was so honest about the crazy school process in New York City. Obviously from a financial perspective, she can afford to go to any private school, you could tell that she was exasperated about the nuttiness of it all. We know celebrities have nannies but would never “admit” they have one but Ms. Harden talked about her lovely nanny and the love her children have for Jamaican nanny. But she also discussed that how she decided at the outset of the relationship that she wasn’t going to be jealous of her nanny because she “knew” was the mom. Refreshing. She just had a down to earthiness about her. I have a big fan of hers for many years but this just made me like her more.

I must admit it was a great way to spend my afternoon, learning about the ABC’s of the YMCA and hearing Marcia Gay Harden talk about her life.

To find a location near year or to learn more about the ABC’s  YMCA, visit ymcanyc.org/