An Important Message from Rochester & Somersworth
June 20, 2024The Granite YMCA aims to support every community we serve by offering programs focused on youth development, healthy living, family strengthening and social responsibility. As a leader in childcare and early learning, we are mindful that the state of New Hampshire has a lack of accessible childcare for many working families. For this reason, we have decided to merge the current Early Learning Center at the YMCA of Strafford County with The Granite YMCA of Somersworth Learning Center, located at 35 Bartlett Ave in Somersworth, NH.
What does this mean for YMCA of Strafford County members and program participants? Please read through the following FAQs for more information. If you still have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
- Membership FAQs
- Early Learning Center FAQs
- School Age Child Care & Day Camp FAQs
- General FAQs
- Mobile App FAQs
- Contact Information
Membership FAQs
What is happening to the wellness offerings in Strafford County?
We have made the difficult decision to discontinue our wellness offerings in our Strafford County location.
Why is the wellness program being discontinued?
We will no longer be occupying the space of our existing wellness facilities. We are confident that our members will find new wellness facilities in the area that can provide them with the support and services they need.
Will I still be able to access wellness programs in the area?
Yes, there are other wellness facilities in the area that you can access. We encourage you to explore these options and locate one that meets your needs.
Where is the next closest Y? Where are all of The Granite YMCA membership branches located?
At The Granite YMCA, we have membership branches located in Portsmouth, Concord, Manchester, and Goffstown. The closest membership branch to the YMCA of Strafford County is the YMCA of the Seacoast, located at 550 Peverly Hill Road in Portsmouth, NH. Click here to see a map of all YMCAs located near Rochester, NH.
When will all of these changes be made?
The last day of the branch’s operations will be September 30 and the Wellness Center will not be operational starting October 1.
How will this change affect my payment for membership? What will happen to my current membership and contract?
As a valued member, you will receive your normal July and August draft payments, however you will not be charged on September 1, 2024. We are extending your membership privileges during the month of September as our appreciation to you. August 1, 2024 will be the last time you are charged for membership unless you wish to continue your membership at another Granite YMCA location and there is no further action you need to take. September 30th will be the last day of usage.
If you would prefer to cancel your membership sooner, we are confident that you will find a new suitable wellness facility in the Greater Rochester community that can provide you with the support and services you need. The Granite YMCA is waiving the 30-day cancellation notice for YMCA of Strafford County members. For members that participate in Tivity Health or Renew Active, there is no further action that you need to take on your part.
Will I be able to transfer my membership to another location or facility?
Yes, we can help transfer your membership to another Granite YMCA branch and even give you some reward options for doing so. For questions regarding your membership at our Rochester location contact the YMCA of Strafford County directly at 603.332.7334.
How will this change affect my ability to access wellness programs and services?
While The Granite YMCA does not have any other wellness locations in Strafford County, we do offer opportunities for Health Intervention Programs and services. Some of these programs are conducted virtually as well. The surrounding community offers a few different fitness center options. The closest comparable facility to our center would be Planet Fitness.
Are there any plans to offer similar wellness programs or services at other locations?
We are currently looking at how we can continue some of our Health Intervention Programs at non-YMCA locations. We are also in discussion with other organizations in the surrounding area, and their ability to continue some of these services and programs we have been offering.
Will I still have access to my favorite instructors or trainers?
We are asking our staff to join our YMCA team at our Portsmouth location (550 Peverly Hill Rd, Portsmouth, NH). We are hopeful that many, if not all, of our instructors will continue their services and classes at our Portsmouth and other Granite YMCA locations.
Are there any discounts or promotions available for members who are affected by this change?
Members of the YMCA of Strafford County will not be charged for the month of September. Should you wish to transfer your membership to another branch of The Granite YMCA, we would be happy to assist you with this and will even reward you for doing so!
Are there any plans to involve members in the decision-making process for future wellness programs and services?
At this time, our policy volunteers are evaluating and working with Association Leadership on next steps for future locations of The Granite YMCA. As a charitable organization, The Granite YMCA is often asked to join different communities. When these next steps occur in The Tri-City Region, we will continue to reach out to the community for input, resources, and potentially funding.
In the future, will the YMCA ever open a family branch in Rochester again?
The Granite YMCA studies community needs and the ever-changing landscape of those communities. While this situation is not ideal, it does better position The Granite YMCA to continue to study the community and find a way to provide service. Ideally, The Granite YMCA will continue to be invited, find additional resources, be supported with additional funding, and could one day open a family branch serving the entire county in the Tri-City Region.
Early Learning Center FAQs
What is happening to the Early Learning Center at the YMCA of Strafford County?
The Early Learning Center at the YMCA of Strafford County will be merged into our Granite YMCA of Somersworth Learning Center (35 Bartlett Ave., Somersworth, NH). This will allow us to better serve the Tri-City area and provide more accessible and robust childcare options.
What will happen to the children currently enrolled in the Early Learning Center at the YMCA of Strafford County?
All of the children enrolled at the Early Learning Center at our YMCA of Strafford County location have been offered a space and will be provided the opportunity to enroll in the Somersworth program without any gap in services. There’s no action required at this time for parents.
How will the merge benefit the children and families?
The merged facility will provide larger learning and play spaces, kitchen facilities with meal services for children, and a larger outdoor space. Additionally, we will be able to provide better access to services for the surrounding population.
What is the timeline for the merge and what changes can we expect during the transition period?
Nothing changes today. This adjustment will occur in the fall while we are making current improvements to our Somersworth location (ideally around October 1st). We will have ongoing communication throughout the summer.
Will there be any changes to staff roles?
We are committed to supporting our staff through this transition. We hope that all staff members will accept a role at our Somersworth location, allowing them to continue their career with minimal disruption.
Will the Before & After School program or day camp be affected?
No, these services will not be impacted or disrupted and will continue at their current locations as usual. We are excited to continue offering Before and After Care for the Somersworth and Dover school districts.
Will there be any changes to the curriculum or teaching methods at The Granite YMCA of Somersworth Learning Center facility?
No. There will not be any changes to the curriculum.
How will transportation arrangements be handled for children who currently attend the Early Learning Center at the YMCA of Strafford County?
Family pick-up and drop -off will remain the same with specific parking logistics to be shared later this summer at scheduled family meetings.
Will there be any changes to the hours of operation or scheduling for the Early Learning Center in Strafford County?
Currently, there are no plans to adjust scheduling or hours of operation.
How will the merge affect the quality of care and attention provided to children?
Our aim is to build upon the quality care we currently provide. We have more teachers/staff for the number of participants enrolled and we are currently investing in our Somersworth location with additional improvements that we are unable to make at our current Rochester location.
Will there be any changes to the policies and procedures for handling issues or concerns at the new facility?
No, all current Early Learning Center Family Handbook policies remain in effect.
How will the merge affect the communication and relationship between families and staff?
There should be no change in this area. Teachers will still communicate through the same app, text and email.
Are there any plans to involve families or community members in the decision-making process for the merged facility?
We are encouraging families to attend meetings offered by Y staff and to schedule a visit at our Somersworth location in order to see your child’s new classroom and the great improvements and offerings being prepared at our Somersworth Learning Center.
What kind of support will be provided to families who may experience difficulties adjusting to the new facility?
Any family that is struggling with this transition are encouraged to schedule a meeting with one of our directors. We are happy to discuss options and help problem-solve most situations.
School Age Child Care & Day Camp FAQs
Will the Before & After School program be affected?
No. These changes will not directly affect school age childcare families and you will experience no change in programming for your child(ren) enrolled in our before and after school programs for Dover Middle, Garrison, and Horne Street schools in Dover, NH.
Will the Day Camp at Camp Coney Pine be affected?
No. These changes will not directly affect our day camp families and you will experience no change in day camp programming for your child(ren) enrolled at Camp Coney Pine.
General FAQs
What is the timeline for this transition?
- Membership operations at the YMCA of Strafford County will end on September 30, 2024
- Early Learning programs at the YMCA of Strafford County will transition to The Granite YMCA of Somersworth Learning Center on or around October 1, 2024
- Before and After School Programs for the Dover School District remain unchanged
- Day Camp Programs at Camp Coney Pine remain unchanged
How can I get more information about this transition?
Be sure to come back and visit this FAQ document which will be updated on a regular basis. Additional updates will be posted on our social media pages as well.
For questions regarding before and after school and early learning programs, please contact Deb Galipeault, Executive Director of Early Learning, at dgalipeault@graniteymca.org.
For questions regarding membership and wellness programs, please contact Jennifer McGeehan, Operations Director at the YMCA of Strafford County, at jmcgeehan@graniteymca.org.
What is the mission of The Granite YMCA and how does the Early Learning Center transition align with it?
The mission of The Granite YMCA has been centric to meeting community needs since its inception in 1854. We know that high-quality, safe and accessible childcare programs are critical for community success. This transition is aligned with our mission as we strive to provide better services and more accessible options for our community.
What is the reason behind this decision to merge and discontinue certain programs?
We have the ability to better serve children and families with more staff, more resources, and more room at our Somersworth location.
Are there any plans to expand or improve services at other locations?
Starting this summer, The Granite YMCA of Somersworth will be undergoing a one-million-dollar renovation project (phase 1). This renovation is refreshing the facility with new flooring, new bathrooms, necessary repairs, fresh paint, new roofing, new lighting and other improvements. In the fall during phase 2, we will be updating the parking lot, sidewalks, and landscaping, along with updating classroom furnishings. By the spring of 2025, the facility will also have a new air conditioning system and a new playground.
How will The Granite YMCA prioritize community needs and respond to feedback from members and interested parties?
The Granite YMCA is working to be proactive and have discussions with key community leaders about these changes and the opportunities for the future. Whether it is this adjustment, or future opportunities, The Granite YMCA is here to serve the community and the community’s needs.
Are there any opportunities for members to get involved in planning or decision-making processes for future initiatives or programs?
There is always opportunity to volunteer with the YMCA. We encourage individuals to stay connected with the YMCA and to find out how we will continue to serve the Strafford County region.
Are there any plans to provide additional support or resources for members who may be affected by this change?
Any family or member that is struggling with this transition are encouraged to schedule a meeting with one of our Directors. We can discuss the different options we have available and help problem-solve most situations.
Are there any plans to involve local partners or organizations in the decision-making process for future initiatives or programs?
As we create a next phase of our Strategic Plan for The Granite YMCA – which will address how we serve the communities in our designated community service areas – we will be seeking volunteers to participate in these conversations.
Mobile App FAQs
How does the closure affect users of The Granite YMCA Mobile App?
Good news! If you currently use The Granite YMCA mobile app, your account, logged workouts, challenge history, and reward points will still be accessible through the app, regardless of membership status. Starting October 1, users that have their primary location set as the "YMCA of Strafford County" must select a new primary branch location. Users that are transferring their membership to another branch are encouraged to set that branch as their primary location. If you are discontinuing your YMCA membership, the last day you will be able to log workouts and accumulate reward points is September 30, 2024.
What will happen to the reward points that I've earned? Do I need to use them before the branch closes?
Your app reward points will not expire when the branch closes. App users that are transferring their YMCA membership to another branch location may continue to accumulate and redeem points as usual. If you are discontinuing your YMCA membership, we encourage you to redeem your points at the YMCA of Strafford County’s Welcome Center by September 30. As a courtesy, non-members may redeem their rewards points at another branch location* from October 1 - December 31, 2024.
The YMCA of Strafford County doesn't have the reward that I want in stock. What can I do?
At this time, we are not special ordering app reward items for the YMCA of Strafford County. If the item that you'd like is not currently in stock, we encourage you to choose another item or check back in the near future. As a courtesy, non-members may redeem their rewards points at any of our other branches locations* from October 1 - December 31, 2024.
- YMCA of Downtown Manchester
- YMCA Allard Center of Goffstown
- YMCA of Concord
- YMCA of the Seacoast
- YMCA of Strafford County (through September 30, 2024)
*Before visiting another branch of The Granite YMCA, we recommend giving the Welcome Center a call to verify they have the reward you'd like in stock.
Contact Information
If you have additional questions, please reach out to one of the following contacts.
Early Learning & School Age Child Care Programs
Deb Galipeault, Executive Director of Early Learning, at dgalipeault@graniteymca.org
Membership & Day Camp Programs
Jennifer McGeehan, Operations Director at the YMCA of Strafford County, at jmcgeehan@graniteymca.org
