West Suburban YMCA’s ‘Country for a Cause’ Gala raised record funds for financial aid

The West Suburban YMCA’s gala, Country for a Cause — An Evening of Western Charm, drew more than 200 guests to the Wells Avenue YMCA on October 25 and raised $191,500 to support financial aid programs, surpassing its goal by $30,000. 

Jack Fucci, president and CEO of the West Suburban YMCA, told Fig City News that the gala succeeded by connecting the community to the Y’s mission — showing how their support helps “one person at a time.”

“We elevate the individual stories of what it means to have a Y in our community that is responding to individual needs,” Fucci said.

One of those stories came from Clance Streb, 18, who gave a speech at the event sharing their journey from camper to staffer at Camp Frank A. Day – made possible, Fucci noted, through the Y’s financial assistance program.

Finding a community

Streb told Fig City News their journey began just a few years ago when a family friend encouraged them to try Camp Frank A. Day. 

“As soon as COVID was over and camp opened back up, I decided to go,” Streb said. “I had gone to other summer camps before and never really felt like I fit in.”

Growing up in a low-income household, Streb said attending the camp would have been impossible without the YMCA’s financial assistance program. Sharing their story at the gala, they hoped to show donors the real impact of donors’ support.  

“I was able to show them how much camp meant to me,” Streb said. “That was really magical.” 

Streb said at camp they learned how to develop as a person. 

“It taught me that there’s multiple ways to be a leader,” Streb said.

Over the years, Streb returned not just as a camper but as a counselor. They said camps like Frank A. Day creates a sense of community that is often rare to find nowadays. 

When Streb told their story on stage, they received a standing ovation. 

After the applause subsided, Streb talked with relatives, family friends, and new acquaintances in the audience. 

“It was really amazing to see how small the world is, but also how close the Y can bring us together,” Streb said. 

Streb is currently in their first year at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester.

‘America’s Front Porch’ 

Fucci said the Y community’s needs have grown over the years. Even in Newton, roughly half the children in the YMCA’s childcare programs receive financial assistance. In the past three years, the number of people receiving aid has more than doubled — from about 900 to 2,000 — in part due to rising enrollment.

When pandemic restrictions were lifted, the Y expanded to its Wells Avenue branch to help kids reconnect in person. Since then, membership has surged from about 8,500 to 17,000. 

The Y’s mission, he added, centers on two groups: youth and seniors. He referenced social psychologist Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation to describe the toll of constant screen time on young people and said the Y aims to be “an antidote.” 

“We don’t allow phones in our programs,” Fucci said. “Kids can explore without judgment. They don’t have to be the best in their sport, they can develop and grow.”

For seniors, he said, the Y fills another gap by offering companionship after retirement. 

“You’re not just a member, you’re more like a family member,” Fucci said. “When you don’t show up, not only does the staff notice you’re not there, but other members notice and check in on you.”

Fucci often describes the YMCA as “America’s front porch,” in reference to growing up with older adults hanging out on the porches when he was kid, when people would socialize in person as a community more often. 

The YMCA is a place, he said, where generations meet, friendships form, and neighbors look out for one another. 

“We’re not a commodity, even though we have those,” Fucci said. “The magic is in the people and the community.” 

As the organization heads into its end-of-year fundraising, Fucci hopes the generosity shown at the gala will continue. He recognizes how financial resources are strained for many families as prices rise and some benefits such as food assistance have been rolled back. He said being a member of the Y is still a critical part of maintaining a person’s well-being, and he wants to be able to support people who need extra help financially. 

“It is more critical now than ever, because there’s so many competing forces for these families, and this is how we prepare for next year — by planning how many people we can serve and what we can do,” Fucci said. 

The public may donate online to the West Suburban YMCA.