Wilson-Gray YMCA Youth and Family Center

Join us tomorrow at the Wilson-Gray YMCA for our Juneteenth Red Cross Blood Drive from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM!

Giving blood is a simple way to help save lives and make a meaningful difference in our community. We encourage everyone who is eligible to come out and donate.

After donating, stay and celebrate with us as we honor Juneteenth and Father's Day with a special cookout! Enjoy burgers, refreshments, and fellowship with friends, family, and community members.

Your donation can save a life, and your presence helps strengthen our community.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Girls Creating a Future: Exploring Culture Through Culinary Arts

Yesterday, our Girls Creating a Future participants had the opportunity to explore a new culture through a hands-on sushi-making experience. The girls participated in a guided tutorial in which they learned about the art of sushi preparation and the cultural significance of this traditional Japanese cuisine.

After the demonstration, participants worked together in small groups to create their own sushi masterpieces, practicing teamwork, communication, creativity, and problem-solving skills along the way.

Programs like Girls Creating a Future are designed to help young women develop leadership skills, build confidence, explore new experiences, and create meaningful connections with their peers and community.

If you have a daughter who would benefit from opportunities to grow as a leader while learning valuable life skills, we invite you to stop by the branch for more information about this exciting program.

Empowering girls today to become the leaders of tomorrow.

Wilson-Gray is excited to announce our 2nd annual James Green Foundation Basketball Tournament!

When: October 3rd, 2026 - 10 AM-4:30PM
Where: Wilson-Gray YMCA (444 Albany Ave., Hartford, CT)
WHY: All proceeds go to our LIVESTRONG program, which is a free 12 week program that provides support to people who have been impacted by cancer.

More information and to register can be found in the link below!
https://pro.gofundme.com/event/the-james-green-foundation-basketball-tournament/e797097

🎉🎉 We are proud to announce that our Early Learning Center has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)!

NAEYC Accreditation is considered the gold standard in early childhood education. Programs that achieve accreditation have demonstrated a commitment to providing high-quality learning experiences, maintaining safe and nurturing environments, building strong partnerships with families, and continuously improving teaching practices.

The accreditation process is rigorous and includes an in-depth review of program policies, teaching practices, classroom environments, family engagement, staff qualifications, and overall program quality. This accomplishment reflects the dedication, passion, and hard work of our educators, staff, children, and families. Thank you for being part of our community and helping us create a place where children can learn, grow, and thrive every day. 💙

Pride Month is a global observance dedicated to celebrating the culture, history, achievements, and rights of le***an, gay, bisexual, transgender, q***r, and other members of the LGBTQ+ community. Celebrated each year during the month of June, Pride Month commemorates the events of the Stonewall Uprising, a pivotal moment in the movement for LGBTQ+ rights.
It is a time to honor the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals, promote equality and inclusion, and recognize the ongoing efforts to ensure that everyone can live authentically, safely, and with dignity.
Throughout Pride Month, communities around the world come together through educational events, celebrations, and acts of support that highlight the importance of acceptance, respect, and belonging for all. 🌈
Join us this month as we celebrate Pride and continue creating a welcoming community where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported. Together, we can build spaces where all people can thrive and be their authentic selves.
🌈 Happy Pride Month! 🌈


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Our preschoolers have been learning about patterns! Through play and creative expression. They are able to showcase this new skill. Check out their pattern art below!

For more information on how to enroll your child in our Early Learning Center, reach out to our Child Development Director at [email protected]

Our Carnival Night was an incredible success, bringing together over 150 teens, families, and community members for an unforgettable evening.
From the amazing DIY carnival games created by our staff to the delicious hot dogs and burgers, there was something for everyone to enjoy. Guests had the chance to win prizes through raffles, enjoy great music provided by an outstanding DJ, and have fun on the bounce houses that kept the energy high all evening.
Most importantly, the evening was filled with laughter, connection, and community spirit.
We would like to extend a special thank you to all of our dedicated staff and volunteers who helped make this event possible. Your hard work, creativity, and commitment truly made the evening a success.
We look forward to creating even more memorable experiences for our teens and families in the future.

Today, the Wilson-Gray YMCA had the honor of attending the Red Cross Sickle Cell Forum held at the Farmington Branch. The forum was an eye-opening and informative experience that helped bring greater awareness to the urgent need for blood donations and the incredible impact each donation can have on saving lives.

We learned that there is so much more involved than simply donating blood. From the moment a donation is given, there is an entire process that takes place before it reaches a patient in need. Hearing the heartfelt testimonies from parents whose children are battling sickle cell disease was both emotional and inspiring. Their stories reminded us just how important blood donors are and how one donation can make a life-changing difference for someone and their family.

We encourage everyone to consider becoming a donor. Your generosity could help save a life and give hope to those facing serious medical challenges.

Wilson-Gray YMCA will be hosting our next Blood Drive on June 19th. Please take a moment to register and support this important cause. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in our community.