Fall Into Wellness: How One Family Makes Health a Priority at the YMCA 

As the days grow shorter and families settle into fall routines, November is an ideal time to focus on health, wellness, and spending quality time together. For Darrin Bryant and his family, those healthy habits have been shaped by a lifelong connection to the YMCA. 

Having grown up attending YMCA programs himself, Darrin experienced firsthand the positive influence the Y can have on young people. Today, he and his family continue that tradition at the Northern Middlesex YMCA, benefiting from programs and services that have supported them through every stage of life, including childcare, camp, swim lessons, teen programming, basketball, weight training, and family fitness activities. 

For the Bryant family, the Y is more than a place to exercise. It's where healthy lifestyles are built, friendships are formed, and family connections grow stronger. 

Their experience reflects the many ways the YMCA supports family wellness. Whether it's swimming, basketball, pickleball, group exercise classes, fitness training, or outdoor adventures at the Ingersoll Outdoor Center, families can find opportunities to stay active and connected year-round. The Y also helps young people develop healthy habits through programs such as its grant-funded afterschool teen cooking program. 

The Northern Middlesex YMCA is committed to ensuring these opportunities remain accessible to all. Through the Open Doors Financial Assistance Program, memberships are available for qualifying families with household incomes up to $75,000, while childcare scholarships support families earning up to $100,000. Last year alone, the Y provided more than $250,000 in financial assistance, camp scholarships, and swim lesson support, helping hundreds of local families participate regardless of financial circumstances. 

As community needs continue to grow, the YMCA is investing in the future through the All Together Better Capital Campaign, a transformative $22 million renovation that will create a brighter, more accessible, and inclusive facility. Planned improvements include a new welcome center, elevator access, expanded wellness space, new group exercise studios, enhanced childcare areas, and modern locker rooms. 

This fall, Darrin's story reminds us that strong families and healthy communities are built one day, one activity, and one connection at a time. Whether through childcare, camp, swim lessons, teen programs, or fitness activities, the YMCA remains a place where families can grow healthier, stronger, and more connected. 

As we look toward a brighter future, we invite you to be part of the YMCA's impact. Your support helps provide memberships, childcare, camp, and program scholarships for working families while advancing the All Together Better Campaign. Attend an information session, schedule a Vision Tour, or make a gift today. Construction begins in December 2026.

Learn more at Capital Campaign: All Together Better | midymca