About Us

The Central Connecticut Coast YMCA is a charitable, not-for-profit, community service organization dedicated to putting Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The Y strengthens the foundations of communities and families through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility in twenty-four towns and cities in the Greater Bridgeport and New Haven areas. Additionally, programs and services are offered through YMCA Camp Hi-Rock located in Mount Washington, MA.

At the Y, we’re for:

  • Youth DevelopmentWe believe that every child has great potential and should be given the opportunity and guidance to reach it.
  • Healthy LivingWe believe that a healthy life is achieved by actively striving for spiritual, mental, and physical well-being.
  • Social Responsibility We believe that the Y has been given the honor, resources, and responsibility to strengthen the foundations of community and family.

Find out more about our focus.

The Central Connecticut Coast YMCA is an inclusive organization open to all. The Y believes that in a diverse world we are stronger when we are inclusive, when our doors are open to all, and when everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. At the Y, we welcome all people regardless of dimensions of diversity including race, faith, color, national origin/ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, disabilities, or socio-economic status.

The impact made by the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA in 2022 was strong! With a special focus on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, the Y served kids, families, and adults in 25 towns and cities including Bridgeport, New Haven, and Mt. Washington, MA (home of YMCA Camp Hi-Rock). For more detailed information: 2023 CCCY Community Impact Statement

For more information about the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, please take a look at our 2022 Annual Financial Report and follow this link to our President’s Newsletters.

Our History

On May 8, 1859 a small group of businessmen held their first meeting to discuss organizing a YMCA in New Haven and within a year, the YMCA started their work with outreach programs and no building of their own. Now, 150 years later, the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA has grown to 11 branches serving 75,000 people annually in a 25 town area. Our YMCA is committed to caring for individuals and families, with a focus on youth. Through our leadership and diverse programs, we will advocate for those whose voices are seldom heard, improve neighborhoods, and make our communities better and the “us” who live in them stronger.

The Boards of Directors, Managers and Trustees remain the visionaries who guide the work, identify unmet needs in our communities and ensure that we have the staff capacity and financial support to make a difference in the outcomes for our many members and program participants.

Although the work of our YMCA has changed over the years, from teaching English to immigrants in the early 1900’s to teaching values to modern day youth, our Y’s have a long record of service and programs that have brought a better quality of life to their communities. One of the greatest things our Y’s will continue to do is build character in children and adults.

Association Office

AO Front WEBThe Association Office is located in downtown New Haven and is home to all leadership staff.

1240 Chapel Street
New Haven, CT 06511
203-777-9622
info@cccymca.org

Executive Management Team

Tim Bartlett – President & CEO

Melissa Kessell – Sr. Vice President & CFO

Donna Gill LisitanoMarketing and Communications Director

Casey McCarthy – Director of Property Management

Janet Samelwich – Controller

Alexandra Lee Simon – Director Human Resources

Amy Wiltsie – Director of Development

Meet the team by clicking on their name.

Volunteer Leadership

The Central Connecticut Coast YMCA is governed by our Association Board of Directors that consists of volunteers from throughout the community. Each YMCA branch has its own volunteer Board which sets policy for its executive who manages the operation with full-time and part-time staff and volunteer leaders.

Association Board of Directors
  • James McGuinness – Chair & Chief Volunteer Chair
  • Howard Olderman – Vice Chair
  • Alexis Smith – Vice Chair
  • Preston Tisdale, Esq. – Vice Chair
  • Christopher Gallo – Treasurer
  • Marc Romanow – Assistant Treasurer
  • George Logan – Secretary
  • Leo Connors, Jr. – Assistant Secretary
  • Blanca Kazmierczak – Immediate Past Chair
  • Tim Bartlett
  • Scott Burns
  • Christal Esposito
  • Dr. Mario Garcia
  • Dr. Ceasar Irby
  • Melissa Kessell
  • Andrea Kovacs
  • Jon Leckerling
  • Lenny Lye
  • Alice Mao
  • Dr. Victor Morris
  • Dr. Matthew O’Connor
  • Dan O’Donnell
  • Andrew Patrick
  • Louis Procaccini
  • Dustin Riedel
  • Dr. Jeff Santee
  • Andrea Seek
  • Casey Stark
  • Donna Wells

Board of Trustees

  • Robert Fiscus – Chair
  • Jeffrey Jones – Vice Chair
  • Michael Leone – Treasurer
  • Sandra J. Brown – Secretary
  • David Bjorklund
  • Christopher Gallo
  • James McGuinness
  • Ronald Noren

CCC YMCA Diversity & Inclusion Statement

The Central Connecticut Coast YMCA is an inclusive organization open to all. The Y believes that in a diverse world we are stronger when we are inclusive, when our doors are open to all, and when everyone has an equitable opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. At the Y, we set the example when we welcome people across all dimensions of diversity. Dimensions include income, faith, ability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, ethnicity, national origin, cultural background or other unique personal characteristics. Together we stand. For a better us.

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