The Rockaway YMCA celebrated a decade of service to the Far Rockaway community on Thursday, May 29, with a powerful evening of reflection, recognition and renewed commitment.
The 10th anniversary celebration, held at the YMCA’s Arverne by the Sea location, brought together elected officials, community leaders, longtime members and staff to honor the center’s impact and the resilience of the Rockaways.
Since opening its doors in 2014, the Rockaway YMCA has become a pillar of strength and healing for a community that has faced longstanding disinvestment, compounded by the devastation of Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Over the past decade, the YMCA has served more than 51,000 individuals, offering afterschool programs, youth mentorship, senior wellness, swim instruction and more.
“This is a resilient community,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, who grew up in Ocean Village in Far Rockaway. “There was a time when no one believed in this neighborhood, but we made it clear that Rockaway is worthy of investment. Today, this YMCA is a beacon of safety, hope, and transformation.”
Richards, one of the evening’s honorees, helped secure funding for the center during his time as a City Council member. He noted that the precincts serving the area have since seen one of the largest crime drops in the city—an outcome he credits in part to the community investments the YMCA represents.
Executive Director Areial Mathis thanked partners and supporters for making the YMCA a safe haven, especially for local youth. “This past year alone, we served more than 13,000 individuals,” she said. “Our afterschool programs have reached over 2,000 young people, and our swim safety programs have provided more than 102,000 hours of instruction. These are life-changing numbers, and they didn’t happen by accident—they happened because of this community.”
Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, who has been a YMCA member since the center’s opening, praised the organization for its holistic impact. “You’ve built more than a fitness center—you’ve built a pillar of hope and connection,” she said. Brooks-Powers also emphasized the importance of swimming education in coastal communities and spoke about participating in a recent swim class alongside Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson.
The celebration honored several local figures, including Roberto Rodriguez, an 83-year-old member who turned to the YMCA after undergoing triple bypass heart surgery. “Four years ago, I was in a hospital bed. The hospital fixed my heart, but the YMCA gave me a new life,” he said.
Other honorees included NFL player and Far Rockaway native Christian Izien, who was represented by his mother, Michelle Matthews, and longtime health and wellness advocate Lisa George. Evianny Campusano, recognized for her behind-the-scenes service to the organization, expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying, “I’ve always stayed in the background trying to make things better. This is truly an honor.”
The Rockaway YMCA’s journey began as part of a broader effort to revitalize Arverne-by-the-Sea, a development project aimed at rebuilding and reimagining the peninsula in the wake of economic challenges and storm recovery. With the support of local, city, and state leaders—including former Senators James Sanders Jr., Joseph Addabbo and former Mayor Bill de Blasio—the YMCA became a cornerstone of that vision.
Looking ahead, Richards announced that the borough will be allocating $62 million to build another center on the peninsula. “Safety is not just about policing—it’s about investing in housing, education, and community spaces like this one,” he said.
As the Rockaway YMCA looks toward its next chapter, attendees were reminded that the past ten years were built not just on brick and mortar, but on community and shared purpose.
“This is what’s possible,” Brooks-Powers said. “And this is just the beginning.”
