The Ridgewood YMCA is pleased to announce that it has received a $50,000 grant from the Bolger Foundation to support the renovation and revitalization of the Bolger Fitness Center (BFC), one of the most heavily used spaces at the Ridgewood Y.

The Bolger Foundation’s grant funding plays a vital role in transforming BFC into a more functional, accessible and welcoming space for members and program participants of all ages and abilities. The renovation includes new fitness equipment, an improved layout and enhanced accessibility, allowing the Ridgewood Y to continue meeting the broad and diverse health and wellness needs of the community.

“The Bolger Foundation has a long history of supporting the Ridgewood YMCA, and we are incredibly grateful for this investment in the future of the Bolger Fitness Center,” said Ramon Hache, CEO of the Ridgewood YMCA. “This support will help us create a space where neighbors from over 40 towns can safely build strength, improve their health and work toward greater independence. It is especially meaningful to carry forward the legacy of the Foundation’s initial gift that helped establish this important space.”

Every day, BFC serves members as young as 12 to active older adults, as well as individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities. More than 125 participants in the Ridgewood Y’s chronic disease prevention and support programs, including Parkinson’s, arthritis and cancer programs, rely on the fitness center to build strength, improve coordination and maintain independence.

BFC also plays an important role in the Ridgewood Y’s commitment to youth development. Through the 7th Grade Initiative, all local seventh graders receive a free Ridgewood YMCA membership and access to the Y’s facilities, including the fitness center. Last year, 186 local students participated in the initiative, providing an opportunity to introduce healthy habits and regular physical activity at a pivotal age.

The Ridgewood Y also works with community partners including Ridgewood High School’s STEPSS program and the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities to provide inclusive health and wellness opportunities. As part of its commitment to ensuring that everyone has access to the Y, financial assistance is available to those who need it, and no one is turned away because of an inability to pay.

“The Bolger Foundation’s continued commitment to our community helps ensure that the Y remains a place where everyone can participate and feel welcome,” said Tom Wells, Ridgewood YMCA Board of Trustee. “The Bolger Fitness Center is much more than a workout space. It is a place where people build confidence, improve their health, connect with others as they work toward their personal goals.”

As a nonprofit organization serving the community since 1902, the Ridgewood YMCA is committed to building spirit, mind and body for all. This renovation helps ensure the Bolger Fitness Center continues to serve generations of neighbors with greater opportunities for safe, effective and inclusive fitness. The Y is grateful to the Bolger Foundation for its generous support and for helping carry forward its legacy of investing in the health and well being of our community.