The Gateway Family YMCA (formerly The YMCA of Eastern Union County) is a powerful association of men, women, and children of all ages and from all walks of life joined together by a shared passion: to strengthen the foundations of community.

With a commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living, and fostering a sense of social responsibility, the Y ensures that every individual has access to the essentials needed to learn, grow, and thrive. Anchored in more than 13 neighborhoods throughout Eastern Union and Middlesex Counties in New Jersey, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.

We serve nine Union County communities (Clark, Elizabeth, Hillside, Linden, Kenilworth, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, and Union) and three Middlesex communities (Avenel, Carteret, Colonia, Port Reading, Sewaren, Winfield Park, and Woodbridge). We have a registered membership of nearly 20,000 and an annual operating budget of $12 million.

The YMCA has four full facility branches in Elizabeth, Rahway, and Union (Five Points  & Wellness Center). In addition, four preschool childcare centers and 30 school age child care sites in schools located in Elizabeth, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden, Rahway, and Union. Senior Day Care is provided through the W.I.S.E. Center located in Union (see Five Points Branch information).

Elizabeth Branch
135 Madison Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
(908) 355-9622, [email protected]

Five Points Branch
201 Tucker Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
(908) 688-9622, [email protected]

Wellness Center Branch
1000 Galloping Hill Rd, Union, NJ 07083
(908) 349-9622, [email protected]

Rahway Branch
1564 Irving Street. Rahway, NJ 07065
(732) 388-0057, [email protected]

CORE PROGRAMS

Early Learning Readiness
Caring and Learning for Me classes support caregivers and their young children with early learning engagement. The program assists caregivers through education and support to develop the children and get them “school-ready”. This family-child interaction learning environment program has been proven to be successful in laying a successful and educational foundation for young children ages zero through 5 years old.

Early Learning Readiness (ELR) is a free preschool-age child and caregiver program open to all community participants
The Gateway Family YMCA offers Early Learning Readiness in both Elizabeth and Rahway, NJ. Classes are offered in Spanish and English at both locations.

• Elizabeth Branch: 135 Madison Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ
  Monday and Wednesday, 10:00 am-12:00 pm (English)
  Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 am-12:00 pm (Bilingual, Spanish)
• First Presbyterian Church (Rahway Branch): 1731 Church Street, Rahway, NJ
  Monday and Wednesday, 10:00 am-12:00 pm (Bilingual, Spanish)
  Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 am-12:00 pm (English)

Registration is required.

For more information, contact:
Michael Johnson, (908) 249-4809 or [email protected]

School Age Child Care
We impact our community by nurturing and developing healthy habits in children through supportive staff who assist children in reaching their full potential through experiences and learning in a caring, honest, respectful, and responsible atmosphere. Learning together, playing together, becoming part of a family that supports fun, friendship, and endless possibilities.

The Gateway Family YMCA offers School Age Child Care in the following areas: Elizabeth, Linden, Rahway, and Union at your child’s school.

Elizabeth Branch
135 Madison Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ 07201, (908) 355-9622

Programs in:

• Winfield Scott School # 2
• Elmora School # 12
• Abraham Lincoln School # 14
• Madison Monroe School #16
• Robert Morris School # 18
• Woodrow Wilson School #19
• Antonia Pantoja School #27

Five Points Branch
201 Tucker Avenue, Union, NJ 07083, (908) 688-9622

• Battle Hill
• Connecticut Farms
• Franklin
• Hannah Caldwell
• Livingston
• Washington

Rahway Branch
1564 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065, (732) 388-0057

• Grover Cleveland
• Franklin
• Madison
• Roosevelt

The Gateway Family YMCA is Providing Free Family Memberships to Full Time Before/After School and Child Care Participants paying through bank draft. Register at your local branch.

Camp
The Gateway Family YMCA offers camp programs at 3 branch locations: Elizabeth, Five Points, and Rahway Branches

• Safe and Secure Facilities
• Trained and Compassionate Staff
• Weekly themed program activities
• Weekly Swimming
• New Friendships
• AM and PM Extended Care Offered Weekly
• Exciting Trip Opportunities
• 10% discount rate for siblings
• Experiences to last a lifetime
• Financial Assistance is available

The Gateway Family YMCA offers other programs, such as youth, teen, and family membership and programs, at our Elizabeth, Five Points, and Rahway branches

Adult Day Services are available through the W.I.S.E. Center at the Wellness Center Branch:
Wellness Center Branch/ W.I.S.E. Center, 1000 Galloping Hill Road, Suite 125, Union, NJ, (908) 349-9622

Residential Programs
The Gateway Family YMCA offers a variety of housing opportunities at our Elizabeth Branch.

• Safe and Secure Facilities
• Trained and Compassionate Staff
• Men’s Dormitory
• Transitional Housing
• Temporary housing for individuals, men, and women with children
• Supportive housing for Individuals and families
• Low-cost, affordable housing for individuals and families

 

Age Groups	Children Adolescents Adults Seniors
Community Services	Arts & Recreation Music / Dance / Theater Recreation / Social / Sports Basic Needs / Assistance Financial Assistance / Referrals Housing / Shelter Military / Veteran Services Supportive Housing Community Drop In / Community Center Volunteer Opportunities Education Early Childhood Education Family & Support Services Child Care / After School Family Support Seasonal Programs Summer Camp
Health Services	Intellectual and Developmental Needs I / DD Day Program
Payment Types	Division of Developmental Disabilities Scholarships / Financial Aid Self Pay Sliding Scale / Payment Plans State-Public Contracted Service
Areas Served	Middlesex County Union County

Last Updated: 03/07/26