(L to R) YMCA President and CEO Steve Jobin, Y Director Yarelis Figueroa, Y Board Members Dorothy Daniel and Jack Cerulo
A Commodity to the People: The Perth Amboy YMCA —
PERTH AMBOY — President and CEO of the Perth Amboy YMCA Steve Jobin states, “A City has its strength with four important things:
1. a good downtown district,
2. a good library,
3. a strong YMCA and
4. strong schools.
That’s something to say to someone, “This is someplace I want to raise my family.”
The origins of the Perth Amboy YMCA began in 1867 which started as meetings in churches. In the early 1900’s there was a movement for a building to be constructed to serve the community. Part of Perth Amboy’s rich history, the YMCA laid their cornerstone of the building on Jefferson Street on December 11, 1913. They built a modern day Y for its time.
Social and recreation was on the first floor (lower level). Upstairs was SRO (single room occupancy – men only) with common bathrooms and showers. YMCA’s were developed for the immigrant population. These individuals would get jobs and afford to move to the suburbs. In the late 1940’s Perth Amboy became more of an urban community and the Y served as housing for retired policemen and firemen. They socialized and lived as retired professionals.
In the ‘40’s most of the services provided were limited to young men. Wednesday night was “Ladies Night”. Steve Jobin tells this story. “When we first opened up the new building an older woman came up to me.”
“Are you going to have Ladies Night? Wednesday night is Ladies Night,” the woman said.
“She still was in that mode from that time period,” Steve commented. “I put my arms around her and said, “Every night is Ladies Night at the Y.””
Now the YMCA’s serve the entire community- not just young men. Presently some YMCA’s still offer housing. YMCA housing is co-ed and offered as apartment and usually only in urban areas. The Elizabeth YMCA is the closest YMCA that offers housing. Most new Y’s don’t offer housing.
After the fire in August 1997 which destroyed the building on Jefferson Street, the Y’s office was moved to 214 Smith Street above Wachovia Bank which is now Wells Fargo. The Y then moved to Delaney Recreation Center prior to moving into the new facility.
The newly built YMCA on New Brunswick Avenue was built in conjunction with the City of Perth Amboy. It was constructed with a vision of consolidating the needs of a Police Station, Municipal Courts, Firehouse and Recreational Facility in one complex.
The old Courthouse on High Street was not with ADA compliance. The Addition to the Police Station on High Street was constructed in the 1970’s and was deteriorating. There was a movement to consolidate Fire Services to one centralized location and the YMCA would provide recreation services for the City.
One of the spindles from the old YMCA on Jefferson Street
The old cornerstone now lies in the new Y facility at 357 New Brunswick Ave. Inside that cornerstone lay a time capsule which was discovered when the building on Jefferson Street was destroyed. Inside the capsule was a newspaper dated: December 13, 1913, a Bible and several 1912 coins.
Also saved from the old building are four round spindles that were above the doors of the original YMCA constructed out of terra cotta from one of Perth Amboy’s terra cotta companies.
The new Y opened its doors on December 1, 2008 and the pools opened in November 2009. A modern 21st Century facility, the new building offers two swimming pools – one recreational pool, one competition pool, weight rooms, spin room, cardio rooms, basketball courts, an indoor walking/running track, a theater, community rooms and much more. There are many programs both free and paid offered to the community. There are over 7000 members including 1400 under the age of seventeen. The Y employs 150 people of which 85% are from Perth Amboy. The Board has 13 volunteer officers and there are a total of approximately 35 volunteers at the Y.
The most popular class for adults: Body Pump – for kids: Martial Arts and Soccer. “We call it Monday Night Futbol,” Steve Jobin jokes.
“Our mission has not changed over the years.” YMCA Volunteer Board Member Jack Cerulo and former Chairman (Now Treasurer) states.
“The Y is really about relationships. It is not about bricks and mortar,” Steve Jobin states. “The Y is a place to meet your neighbors, the Y allows you to recreate as a family: mom, dad, children come and can be served well. The community benefits in so many different ways. It changes the culture to a better place. Whether it’s a Church group on Sundays or a swim team, they all become part of the Y.” Steve Jobin states. “We’ve been able to create partnerships whether it be with Raritan Bay Medical Center or with swim teams who whoever we serve the community.”
YMCA Board Member Dorothy Daniel states, “It is a safe haven. It’s a place I know my kids can be safe. They are being physically active. They are learning to swim, play basketball and are working out.”
Leonard Sendelsky, YMCA Volunteer Board Member states, “The Y helps build the mind, body, teaches responsibility and kids to learn to become leaders.”
Dorothy Daniel adds, “It’s wholesome but it’s cool and the kids keep coming back.”
Jack Cerulo states that “Saturdays are like Family Day. Parents bring their kids to the gym and pools, everyone has something to fun to do.”
Childcare is important to the Y. After school programs such as pre-school and school-age are an asset to parents and kids. “It keeps the kids out of trouble while allowing the parents to go to work,” Steve Jobin remarks.
Dorothy Daniel adds, “When the kids are here they are just kids. They are not high class or low class. They are just kids.”
The Competition pool is utilized by the Perth Amboy High School, Middletown, and St. Joseph’s Swim Team also the Fire Water Safety Rescue Team practices in the Competition pool. The Recreation Pool provides a place for anyone to learn to swim.
Since Perth Amboy is centrally located, the new Y with its modern day facility is a favorite for swim meets. “We are redefining ourselves as a “niche,” a commodity for the people. We have proximity and quality.” Steve Jobin states.
Recently the ages eight and under State Championship were held at the Y which included over 500 swimmers from the surrounding areas. The Y also held the Bronze Meet for two days which qualified some swimmers for the National Championships. There were over 1400 swimmers over the two days in all age groups were swimming.
Steve Jobin comments that many people come to Perth Amboy as a result of the swim meets at the Y and patronize the town. These visitors eat at local restaurants and discover Perth Amboy.
Presently the Alternative School and recently the Charter School have their physical education classes here at the Y.
Lenny Sendelsky states, “The Y’s impact helps us, children are our future leaders.”
The Y is planning to launch new programs including water safety for pre-school children in partnership with the Perth Amboy Board of Education. There was a Elementary School swim League. Steve Jobin states that Elementary School kids should learn to swim if they do not already know by now. This League was a real success and it included all of Perth Amboy’s Elementary Schools and the Catholic Schools.
Dorothy Daniel added on the importance of learning to swim, “You never know when you will be in a situation when you need to know how to swim.” She pointed out local flooding as an example.
Steve Jobin stated that over nine people drowned in the last twelve years in or around Perth Amboy. “It is so important to learn to swim. It teaches so many other things including sportsmanship and team work. When you take swim lessons and you get to the end of the pool you feel you accomplished something and become more confident. It’s a self esteem and confidence builder.”
Steve Jobin adds, “Many people come from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico and don’t have pools readily accessible. Most people in Perth Amboy don’t have pools and never learned to swim.”
If someone cannot afford a Y membership the YCares program offers scholarships. “The generosity of private donors has allowed the Y to put out $80,000 in scholarships for Perth Amboy’s kids.” The Leonard Sendelsky Golf Outing hosted in the fall raises the lion’s share for the YCares Program. “It is from the generosity of may,” Steve Jobin states.
Steve Jobin attributes that the Y has phenomenal staff inspired by volunteers. “Pastor Paul Sears is a great example,” he states.
“People who work here are enthusiastic,” Steve Jobin states proudly of the staff.
The importance of the Y to the community can be stated by the Board Members.
Jack Cerulo states, “I have been a proud volunteer for over 50 years and as a Volunteer Board Member I will continue to live the mission of the Y in Perth Amboy.”
Y Director Yarelis Figueroa states “The Y is for kids, adults and seniors. I enjoy seeing so many smiling faces; it makes us strive for more.”
Dorothy Daniel states, “It keeps getting better and better. We are a member driven organization where everyone belongs. We give the community what they need. It’s not a stale environment. We always want to know what the community needs.”
Steve Jobin states, “The 100 years is so important to the history of Perth Amboy. We were given a responsibility and we have cared for the community. One Hundred Years – One Million Smiles. My guess is that we really made 100 million smiles.”
By Katherine Massopust
