See you at the Y. See you at the Y.

See you at the Y.

A City-Wide Initiative to Confront Loneliness, Isolation and Division To Make Greater Boston the most Community Connected City in the Country.

 

Check out our partners in this initiative.
 
Lead sponsor Highland Street Foundation

Highland Street Foundation is supporting the campaign with funding allowing us to expand programming for children, families and seniors.

highland street foundation logo


CAMPAIGN IN ACTION

Since launching the campaign in May 2025, the YMCA of Greater Boston attended several events in Greater Boston, joining with community partners to make a more connected Boston. Our dedicated staff teams were on-site, creating vibrant atmospheres where individuals and families could come together through play, laughter, and shared experiences. From interactive activities to spontaneous moments of fun, the Y helped foster warmth, belonging, and community spirit—reminding us that joy grows stronger when we experience it together.
 

  • 12 City-wide and YMCA Events
  • 25K Individuals and Families Engaged
  • 12,180 Teens Connected in Summer Programming and Employment at the Y
  • 780 Connect Four Games Played (and counting)
  • Unlimited Fun

 

YMCA Connect 4 game for See You At the Y campaign
Join us at one of our city-wide activation events.
 
Play Connect Four with us and experience the joy of play and connection.
 
See Our 2025 Activity Schedule

Connect Four Tournament with the Boston Police Department

The Boston Police Department recently hosted Connect Four Tournaments at three of our summer camp locations, creating a fun and engaging way for youth and officers to connect. Pictured here are moments from the tournament held at our East Boston YMCA, where smiles and sportsmanship were on full display.

kids group
boston police playing connect 4
boston police department

 

boston police playing connect 4
boston police

Open Streets Boston Partnership with the City of Boston

We were proud to partner with the City of Boston for Open Streets Boston events. Thanks to the City’s leadership in bringing communities together, these family-friendly gatherings offered residents a chance to engage and celebrate their neighborhoods in new and meaningful ways. The Y joined the festivities with our signature Connect Four games, sparking playful interactions that helped build lasting memories.

open streets boston event
open streets boston event

Boston While Black – Family Reunion

As part of our “See You at the Y” campaign, we proudly joined the celebration of Boston While Black – Family Reunion this July, spotlighting the joy of togetherness and the power of meaningful connection.

Check out the Y's featured photo at the end of this Boston Globe article.

boston while black event ymca
boston while black event ymca
boston while black event ymca
boston while black event ymca

Woburn GreenFest

Hosted by our North Suburban YMCA, Woburn’s GreenFest was a vibrant celebration of community, environmental awareness, and connection. The event brought together residents of all ages to explore and appreciate Woburn’s watershed and green space assets—essential elements that support not only ecological health but also spaces where relationships and community spirit thrive.

woburn green fest ymca
woburn green fest
woburn green fest ymca

Get Summer

Get Summer is our signature summer program, offering free membership to teens for 10 weeks of safe, engaging activities. We recognize that summer can be a high-risk time for youth. By providing free access to Y facilities and programs, we help teens stay welcomed, connected, and active.

teens on the water
teens playing basketball
teens

Teen Nights

This summer we partnered with the City of Boston’s Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement (OYEA) to support Boston After Dark—free Friday night teen events from 5–9PM all Summer. We provided dedicated time and space for teens to meet up and create meaningful connections with peers in a safe and supportive environment.

teens in the teen center
teens celebrating
teens in the arcade

On May 7 we launched our See You at the Y campaign at the Oak Square YMCA with a community conversation: Addressing the Epidemic of Loneliness, Isolation, and Division to Make Greater Boston the Most Connected Community in America.

This important gathering brought together city leaders, advocates, and community members to confront the growing crisis of loneliness and disconnection. We were proud to feature a panel of leaders in behavioral health, community building, and youth advocacy:

Dr. Gene Beresin (The Clay Center for Healthy Young Minds, MGB)
Sandra Harris (MA Coalition to Build Community)
Dr. Kevin Simon (Boston Public Health Commission)
Nora Sun (Harvard University and MA DPH)

 

David Shapiro at the See You At the Y campaign launch event
See You At the Y event panelists
See You At the Y event panel discussion
See You At the Y event panel

IN THE NEWS
 
WBZ News Radio – YMCA Greater Boston Helping Fight Loneliness, Strengthen Community

Boston Globe – Feeling alone? Go to the Y. YMCA launches campaign to fight loneliness.

“Strong communities are the foundation of a healthy city…the YMCA of Greater Boston has always been a leader in bringing people together, and their See You at the Y campaign is a critical step toward healing the disconnection that affects too many of our residents. We are grateful to the YMCA for their work to deepen community connections and build safe, healthy and active spaces for our residents.”

– Boston Mayor Michelle Wu

LET’S START BUILDING COMMUNITY TOGETHER
 
Join the Campaign
 

See How Things Get Better When We See Each Other

  • Sign on as a partner
  • Use the slogan “See You at the (your organization name)”
  • Post content on social media using the hashtags #SeeYouAt(NAME) and #BuildCommunity and tag the YMCA of Greater Boston and other partners
  • Add link to the campaign landing page on your website
At Your Organization

  • Offer paid time off for volunteering
  • Have a walking meeting
  • Schedule an in-person meeting
  • Plan an annual staff and family gathering
  • Host a game at your place of work (Connect 4, Scrabble etc.)
  • Offer meeting space for local group meeting
  • Form employee resource groups focused on community action
As an Individual

  • Be a good neighbor – offer help, share resources or just say “hi”
  • Volunteer your time
  • Help raise awareness of local issues
  • Promote civic engagement
  • Join or start a community project
  • Support local businesses
  • Mentor youth or young professionals

 
If you have any questions or need further assistance please contact us at SeeYouAtTheY@ymcaboston.org.

“Community is a powerful source of life satisfaction and life expectancy. It’s where we know each other, help each other, and find purpose in contributing to each other’s lives.”

– Dr. Vivek Murthy, 19th & 21st Surgeon General of the United States, Vice Admiral, United States Public Health Service

Dr. Vivek Murthy’s Parting Prescription for America

OUR PARTNERS
 
Partners who have joined in a common cause to end loneliness, isolation and division to make Greater Boston the healthiest community in the country.

 
View our Partner Newsletter:
Newsletter 1
Newsletter 2
 
Subscribe to our Partner Newsletter
 
Contact us at SeeYouAtTheY@ymcaboston.org, to have your resources linked and/or be listed as a partner.