There are a few things you do as soon as you move to New Canaan. You meet your new neighbors, search for your favorite new restaurant downtown, and join the Y. For so many residents, joining the New Canaan YMCA is a meaningful part of joining the community. Certainly, many of our community’s kids meet their first childhood friends at the Y through swim lessons, childcare, or the famous “Bouncing Bears,” but connection is important for all ages, and it happens at the Y every day.

Kelly DeFrancesco, a local realtor and member of the Y for 10 years, shared, “One of the first spots in town that we suggest new buyers coming to New Canaan visit is our wonderful YMCA. It’s such a great place for new residents to meet people, get involved in our community, and be a part of something special!”

New families find themselves immersed in YMCA activities and meeting others regardless of their children’s ages; from parent/child classes, childcare, and summer camp to swim team, Y-ball, and special events, these programs are often where families make lifelong friends and find connections.

Connecting to the community is paramount for families in town, and many achieve this by coming together through Y programs. Rob and Jessica Fischer, who have a family of four and moved to town and joined the Y in the last few years, shared, “The New Canaan YMCA has become a central part of our family’s life since moving to New Canaan in 2021. We have been amazed by its wonderful childcare center, clean and modern facilities, welcoming staff, and other involved families! We recommend it to anyone who is either new to the area or looking for activities for themself or their youths.”

 Adults also connect to their community at the Y in various ways. Every day, members of our community are motivating each other in the Wellness Center or Zone; coming together with friends to play basketball, volleyball, or pickleball; embracing the community atmosphere of the Y’s group exercise classes, benefitting from the camaraderie in chronic disease and cancer support programs, or simply gathering with friends in the café.

Andrew Veitch has been a member of the New Canaan YMCA for 14 years where he visits the Wellness Center daily.  Veitch’s daily visits entail so much more than cardio and weights, though.  He shared, “The New Canaan Y’s diversity of staff and membership creates a welcoming, vibrant, and friendly atmosphere for prospective, new, current, and long-time members such as me.”

Our community’s seniors also find a connection at the Y, with many opportunities to get active, stay fit, and be social. You’ll often find seniors attending group exercise classes including chair yoga, qigong, and aquatic fitness, in addition to the enriching “Foreverwell” lunch and learn events designed specifically for older residents and providing connection and education on meaningful topics.

“I’ve been a member on and off at the New Canaan YMCA for about 45 years, and it’s been such a wonderful experience for me. There are so many programs I’ve participated in, and the benefits are unbelievable. One of the wonderful programs that the Y has here is ForeverWell, a lovely program that gives me the opportunity to network and where I’ve met so many friends,” shared Y member Cleo Bibas.

Finally, the New Canaan YMCA is not just where individuals of all ages come to connect, but also where individuals of all abilities come together. The New Canaan YMCA offers one of the most robust special needs programs of Ys across the country. Over 130 children, teens, and adults with special needs benefit from the Y’s inclusion and support programs, which are dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming place for individuals of all abilities to make friends, develop skills, build confidence, and have fun.  Many children and teens with special needs have grown up at the Y, finding a sense of community that continues into adulthood. Whether you are just moving to town or have been a resident for decades; regardless of age or ability, the New Canaan YMCA is where our community comes together and connects with each other.