By: Carolyn Maxwell &
Katherine Massopust
PERTH AMBOY – If you have attended any of the Council Meetings in the last 8 years, there have been a lot of comments made about the YMCA. It has been said repeatedly by certain individuals that the Y is a financial burden to the City.
The Board of the YMCA reached out to the Amboy Guardian to set the record straight of what the Y contributes to the community, and some of the facts that have been distorted regarding the contract between the Y and the City of Perth Amboy. It was noted that there are discrepancies on such matters as the calculation of the utility bill and other issues. Jobin stated that through the years he and the Y’s attorney have sent correspondence via emails and hardcopies to the Council with little or no response back.
YMCA President and CEO Steve Jobin, along with Board Members Alan Papp and Paul Pires sat down with us. Board Member Lou Seminski Jr. joined in over the phone.
Lou Seminski Jr. started the conversation, “I got involved with the Y through the late Jack Cerulo and Leonard Sendelsky after the City took our property (Sciortinos Pizzeria on New Brunswick Avenue which his family owned for many years).” Seminski stated that all people are touched by the Y and the town benefits for what the Y does. “The benefit outweighs any contributions by the town. I appreciate the Y’s effort and its values. It’s frustrating to hear people putting down the Y constantly. Thousands of kids learn to swim here. The Y’s Childcare Programs are a great asset for so many children and parents. The comments made are hurtful to us and the cause. I grew up here and not a day goes by where I don’t think about this town. A few people minimize what the Y contributes. Parents are able to work because of childcare. It’s for a better cause. The Y also has a transitional housing programing. The numbers are there, and the Y produces great results. It’s very disturbing when people distort facts. Look at the contract. People at the (Council) Meetings need a reality check. Only a few voices are out there.”
Steve Jobin stated, “We cannot and will not go to the Council Meetings to defend the impeccable image of the Y. I’m focused on serving the community and the number of people served by this Y. The vast majority of the people who work at the Y are from Perth Amboy. We want you to understand what we’re going through.”
Papp stated, “There is no other facility directly affects as many people as much as the Y does. As much as 250,000 people come in the doors each year.”
Seminski said, “It’s ridiculous the untruths being said.”
Board Member Alan Papp then added, “At one time, Perth Amboy had 27 churches. Unfortunately, they don’t have the facilities to serve the community anymore (in the same capacity that the Y does).
Jobin said, “They designed this as a destination to attract people statewide. Currently, we have a theater program that is run by the City Recreation Department and we don’t charge them to use the facility. The PA System and the lights were upgraded by the Y. The Center for Support, Success & Prosperity on Smith Street provides Case Management and housing placement services for the homeless and those vulnerable of losing their home. The Y’s Early Learning Center at 280 Maple St. provides full-day pre-school for 75 students. We received a 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant that provides 350 middle school students off of the streets and engaged in positive activities, at no charge.”
Papp also added, “We didn’t have to open the facility until everything was complete. They asked us to open early (in 2008) even though we didn’t have a working pool. It (the early opening) was a loss to us, because the pool was a major attraction. We had to do upgrades. It was their (the City’s) obligation. It was supposed to be at the City’s expense – and they did not reimburse us. There was some reimbursement through the UEZ later on.”
Jobin said, “We take this as a responsibility to put it to the test. We use what we can.” Jobin then spoke about the partnership between RBMC (Now Hackensack Meridian) which had a an integrated medicine program at the Y.”
Jobin continued, “The Y and the City partner to host various programs at the building including Teen Nights, Camp programs, Theater Productions and many other events. The Y also partners with the School District to provide water education training (WET) for every 2nd Grade student as well as a Pilot program for special needs students. Through these programs, the kids, their teachers and their parents work together. We will continue to use the facility and partner with the School District. For the 2nd Grade Water Safety Class, we have Certified Teachers. It’s a nominal fee to the School District at our cost. It’s unbelievable – the kids progress they are making. There are 75 kids in full preschool and The Y’s Board of Directors subsidizes this program between $35,000 – $55,000 a year. We’re losing money on the program but it’s worth the investment. We rent the Cathedral Central Facility (Called Joy to the City) to serve kids. It had been vacant at the time. We help kids, we help their parents, we help the Church; everyone wins.”
Papp then said, “A lot of the housing is through grants from the County or the State. We are very resourceful; we have borrowed or raised dollars to make up for grant shortfalls.”
Jobin then spoke about the property which is a partnership with Catholic Charities and funded by Coming Home of Middlesex County. We bought 3 apartments. Over 90% of the project was funded by a capital grant. We had an agreement to take the folks from coordinated assessment (the homeless). One family pays $350/month. Both parents are disabled with two kids. They both are on a fixed income. Another apartment went to a single mom with two kids. She pays $375/month. We work with Pastor Berny and Catholic Charities, so they do not end up in the same situation. We follow up with the families and help them with budgeting and other social services. If the right people are not involved in this, then it’s a continuing cycle of poverty.”
Papp, “You have to have staff to identify the grants, the properties and sometimes you may have to renovate the buildings and go through the paperwork. It takes Steve (Jobin), the Y’s staff and volunteers to go through all the contractual obligations. We are working on a project on Alpine Street. Some of the money we receive is for purchase and rehabilitation and other funds support the services. Grants and donations are pulled together.”
Jobin then stated, “Those who use the childcare and afterschool programs get a free membership. 1000 kids are served in a safe and educational program. They’re learning skills, and getting an education. We fundraise and work with Community Childcare Solutions to assist families that can’t afford services. We never want to turn anyone away. The Y offers scholarships to families that are in need.”
Papp concluded, the Y provides a comprehensive service model. If the City takes over the Y, the people in the greatest need will be hurt the most.”
