Everything Old Colony is new again

Old Colony YMCA Taunton Branch has begun work on a major renovation that will touch nearly every part of the facility The project will continue into the second half of 2023.

When completed, Old Colony YMCA will have the capacity to serve 265 children every day in its child care and school age programs. The entire scope of the $1.5 million project includes: dramatically expanding its capacity to provide safe affordable child care; providing a more family-friendly welcome center; adding new strength and cardio equipment; renovating its 40-year-old gymnasium; creating space for a teen center; and rejuvenating the locker rooms.

According to Senior Executive Director Roman Davis, “This is not just an investment in our YMCA. This is an investment in the City of Taunton and the people who live here. We’ve been a part of this community since 1894, and we will be here to support generations to come.”

The centerpiece of Old Colony YMCA’s renovations is the redesign and addition of two new childcare classrooms that will increase access to safe and affordable childcare. Historically, Old Colony YMCA provides scholarships or financial aid to 83% of all children in its programs. Numerous studies have shown that when young children receive highquality early education in a stable, safe environment, it builds a strong foundation for learning and emotional development. These positive experiences often help children succeed and overcome adversity, including those caused by trauma and poverty.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has the second-most-expensive child care market in the United States. Many families routinely pay upwards of $20,000 a year for care for their young children, which is the equivalent of a second mortgage for some families and more than the cost of public college tuition for others. In a city like Taunton, the costs of childcare often serve as the lynchpin for the community’s economy. If parents are unable to go back to work because child care costs are too high or because there is no child care, the community will suffer. Moreover, children will not have access to important nurturing programs.

Taunton’s size does not make it immune to the forces that contribute to social vulnerabilities found in larger cities. Unfortunately, as the city has struggled, children have had fewer resources and opportunities. The need for access to childcare is at an all-time high, but availability may be at an all-time low. This project will help the Old Colony YMCA meet demand for accessible and affordable childcare.

“What makes the YMCA different is that no one is ever turned away because of their financial circumstances,” says Davis. “We will always work with families to make sure their child has access to these programs. Plus, families can also access other resources here, like behavioral health services, healthy food, mentoring programs, and much more.”

Historically, Old Colony YMCA provides scholarships or financial aid to 83% of all children in its programs.

Big Changes

A new welcome center and Kid Zone play space send the message that the Old Colony YMCA is a friendly environment for kids.By knocking down walls and reconfiguring space, it will transform its space into a bright, engaging open concept with a vibrant play space for children.

Old Colony YMCA’s current gym has seen its fair share of use but after 40 years it needs a major renovation to keep up with the needs of the community. This newly refurbished gym will serve as a resource for teens and kids who can easily spend an afternoon at play.

Meanwhile, the Teen Center has been identified as a priority for the City of Taunton. The Taunton Teen Center, the first portion of the project to be completed, offers middle and high school students a convenient and safe space to congregate and hang out with friends, play in the gym, and work with the Y staff to develop programs to benefit the community. The Teen Center provides teens with the opportunity to be independent, socialize with friends and belong to a community solely focused on them.

Ultimately the Old Colony YMCA hopes that these updates and renovations will result in increased family engagement, safety, mobility and ability, and social interaction for young and old alike. To learn more about the Old Colony YMCA at Taunton, visit oldcolonyymca.org.

For 30 years, Vincent J. Marturano pioneered a new kind of YMCA – not a Y centered simply on gym and swim, but a Y centered on families, children, and social service. The newly renovated Marturano Youth YMCA in Brockton is named for him and his wife Nancy.

Marturano has served as President and CEO of Old Colony YMCA since 1992 and has served the Y movement for almost a half century. Marturano, who steps away in February, was instrumental in turning the YMCA into the region’s largest social service organization. Time and time again, when the state needed to reimagine services for vulnerable youth, they turned to the Old Colony Y. As a result, this Y is known for providing a mix of services that are not only unique in Massachusetts, but also across the country. Now, dozens of human service programs – including mental health, family shelter, mentoring, gang intervention, workforce development, and residential care – thrive as a result of Vinnie’s unwillingness to accept the boundaries of a traditional YMCA.