A Once-in-a-Generation Project to Transform the Northern Middlesex YMCA

David W. Glidden, President & CEO of Liberty Bank and President of the Liberty Bank Foundation, and Michele Rulnick, President & CEO of the Northern Middlesex YMCA in Middletown, today jointly announced a historic $1 million grant from the Liberty Bank Team to support the YMCA’s All Together Better Capital Campaign.

The Northern Middlesex YMCA, which was founded 137 years ago, has been operating out of its current facility on Union Street in Middletown since 1928. The Y expanded the footprint in 1970’s and renovated additional space in the mid 2000’s.  

The All Together Better campaign will support the expansion and renovation of the YMCA’s Union Street-Middletown facility, focusing on enhancing accessibility, efficiency and flexible program spaces at the facility.  Through this capital campaign, the YMCA’s goal is to invest $15 million for what they call a ‘once-in-a-generation renovation and expansion project’ which would ultimately lead to a complete transformation of the facility while positioning them to increase membership by 35% and build their capacity to extend services to more members of the Middletown community.

The extensive renovations to the Northern Middlesex YMCA will include providing new, dedicated space for youth and teen engagement; creating a new welcoming and inclusive lobby; enhancing Child Watch (babysitting); improving wellness spaces; making space for community programs supporting mental wellness and chronic disease prevention; adding a steam room, whirlpool and sauna; and improving locker rooms.

In addition, the Northern Middlesex YMCA continues its future planning to renovate and modernize their historic Schwarz Residence for men so they can deliver affordable housing and combat homelessness for current and next generation of male residents.

“We are so grateful for Liberty Bank’s generous gift supporting our All Together Better Capital Campaign. The Y’s vision is to transform the historic building into a welcoming, accessible, modern facility well-positioned to serve future generations of children, individuals, and families,” said Michele Rulnick, Middlesex YMCA. “Liberty’s historic $1 million donation is a catalyst, showing faith in the project and the Y ‘s pivotal role in strengthening our community. Liberty Bank has always been a role model for good corporate citizenship. We hope this demonstration of generosity and community investment will inspire others.”

“The Capital Campaign’s theme of All Together Better perfectly aligns with the strong community partnership we’ve enjoyed with the Northern Middlesex YMCA for more than a century. That’s why we felt so deeply to step up, make a historic investment and help kick-start a capital campaign that will transform the YMCA and better the lives of individuals and families from this region for generations to come,” said David W. Glidden, Liberty Bank. “We agreed this was right project for Liberty to get behind and we hope others in the community who share our passion for the future success of the Northern Middlesex YMCA will too.”

“On behalf of the State of Connecticut, I applaud Liberty Bank and the Liberty Bank Foundation for its extraordinary corporate citizenship in making this historic contribution. When our business community, non-profit sector, and government come together in common purpose, there is no limit to what we can achieve,” said Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz. “This project exemplifies the very best of those collaborative efforts, and your leadership sets an example for others to follow.”

“The Middlesex YMCA is a unique and cherished institution in Middletown, and from housing to childcare to fitness and wellness programs and beyond, the services offered at the Y are an essential part of our community’s backbone. As we plan for the future of the Y and the historic building on Main Street that has been its home for nearly 100 years, our whole community is rising to the occasion of supporting the Y that has supported us for so long,” said Ben Florsheim, Mayor of Middletown. “The extraordinary generosity of Liberty Bank in providing this grant is a reaffirmation of their deep involvement and support of Middletown—Liberty’s hometown—and will provide significant momentum to the All Together Better campaign. The City of Middletown is proud to be a partner in this effort, and on behalf of all our residents who benefit from the Y, I am very grateful to Liberty Bank and the Liberty Bank Foundation for helping make our shared vision a reality.”

The Northern Middlesex YMCA assembled a “Leadership Cabinet” comprised of volunteers to help raise money for the Capital Campaign. Funding sources include private philanthropy; corporate community; support from the state and federal government; additional YMCA investment; and debt servicing, if necessary.

To learn more about the Northern Middlesex YMCA’s All Together Better Capital Campaign, please visit www.midymca.org.

About the Northern Middlesex YMCA

The Northern Middlesex YMCA is a non-profit organization founded in 1886. The organization currently serves tens of thousands in Middlesex County through various programs that encourage youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. A strong community relationship has made it possible for the Northern Middlesex Y to have a significant reach and provide quality service to all regardless of race, creed, gender, sexual orientation or financial status.

About Liberty Bank Foundation

Since its inception in 1997, Liberty Bank Foundation has awarded $18 million in grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Liberty Bank’s market area.  Following the Bank’s ‘Be Community Kind’ spirit, the Foundation seeks to improve the lives of individuals and families by investing in three key areas:  Education & Training, Affordable Housing, and Food. 

About Liberty Bank 

Established in 1825, Liberty Bank is the oldest and largest independent mutual bank in the country. With nearly $8.0 billion in assets, Liberty has 56 banking offices across Connecticut and two in Massachusetts. As a full-service financial institution, Liberty offers consumer and commercial banking, cash management, home mortgages, business loans, insurance and investment services. Named ‘Top Workplace’ by the Hartford Courant every year since 2012 and designated a 2021, 2022 and 2023 Best-In-State Bank in Connecticut by Forbes Magazine.