Giving Rye: Meet the Rye YMCA

Giving Rye is a new occasional feature highlighting non-profits and community groups in and around the City of Rye. Today meet Sabrina Murphy of the Rye YMCA.

Your Name: Sabrina Murphy

Organization: Rye YMCA

Your role: CEO

MyRye.com: Tell us your organization’s mission.

Murphy: The Rye YMCA is a family-oriented community service organization which welcomes all people and promotes positive values through  programs that build spirit, mind and body.

How long have you operated in Rye? 

Murphy: Since 1914

What programming or work in Rye is the organization best known for?

Murphy: 

• Y Healthy Living – Supporting health seekers through our classes at the Y Studios, our two indoor pools and gymnasium; wellness options at the Christopher D. Mello Fitness Center; various sports programs and essential community health initiatives such as Diabetes Prevention and Livestrong at the YMCA.
• Youth Development – Providing quality safe and essential childcare programs for families in need for all ages. Providing youth sports programs with positive role models.
• Social Responsibility – Ensuring that YMCA programs are available to all through our Y Cares Financial Assistance Program. We also engage volunteers of all ages in community service projects through our Togetherhood program.

Looking forward to 2024, what will be your top initiatives? 

Murphy: 

• Continuing to expand our community health programs such as Diabetes Prevention Program (now available with Medicare reimbursement), Blood Pressure, Walk with Ease and Livestrong at the YMCA.
• Following our Strategic Plan to meet essential program and member needs and to ensure sustainability (including flood mitigation, a strong annual campaign for Y Cares and staff retention).
• Amplify the awareness of the Y’s work as a charitable and benevolent organization that relies on charitable donations to provide financial aid to the community in need.
• Exploring ways to meet the critical needs of working families by expanding child care.

Tell us about the population you serve and how they can get involved with your programming and services. 

Murphy: We serve the communities of Rye, Harrison, Mamaroneck, Larchmont, Rye Brook and Port Chester. We have four locations; the flagship facility at 21 Locust Ave in Rye, The Rye Y Studios at 1037 Boston Post Road in Rye, St. John’s Nursery School on Fenimore Road in Mamaroneck and Rye Y summer camps located at the Osborn School in Rye.  

Are you a 501(c)(3) non-profit with tax exempt status? 

Murphy: We are a 501 (c)(3) charitable and benevolent nonprofit organization

Looking back across 2023, what were your organization’s top achievements? 

Murphy: 

• Securing FEMA funding for an essential flood mitigation project to relocate our boiler, electrical panels and water tanks to the roof, This project was largely completed in 2023.
• Opening a nursery school in Mamaroneck
•  Completing the Rye Y’s Strategic Plan, which will guide our mission-driven work on behalf of our members and community.

How can local residents support your organization? 

Murphy: Local residents can help the Rye Y in various ways: By contributing to the Y Cares Annual Campaign, which ensures that everyone can experience all the Y has to offer, regardless of income or financial circumstance. By joining the Y as a member and spreading the word about the essential work the Y does in our community. By volunteering for our Rye Derby in April or as a committed policy volunteer.

What local Rye residents and area businesses have been the longest, steadiest supporters of your organization?

Murphy: We are grateful that so many residents of Rye and the surrounding communities believe in our mission and support our impactful work in the communities we serve through donations to our annual campaign and sponsorships to our  annual Rye Derby and benefit.

Tell us about you:

How long have you been in your current role? 

Murphy: I’ve been the CEO of the Rye Y for 1.5 years. Prior to that, I led YMCAs in Maine for over 30 years.

Is the role full time or part time? Paid or volunteer? 

Murphy: Full time

How would your friends and family describe you in one word? 

Murphy: Outgoing

Pick one:

Murphy: 

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why, and who would you take with you? 

Murphy: The Netherlands to visit my mother’s family. I would bring my kids and my other half, David.

What is your favorite streaming / TV series?

Murphy: Ted Lasso

Where do you live in Rye and how many years have you lived in the City? 

Murphy: Mead Place, Rye.

Thanks, Sabrina!

Organization’s website.

Specific donation link. 

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