NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The YMCA of Greater New York has hired Executive Directors to lead the two new facilities on track to open later this fall in Coney Island and the Rockaways. Rick Hopkins will serve as Executive Director of the Rockaway Y at Arverne-by-the-Sea, and Samuel Moore will serve as Executive Director of the Coney Island YMCA. In their respective roles, Hopkins and Moore will work to establish these new, state-of-the-art facilities as vibrant centers of community life.
“Rick and Sam have each dedicated their careers to improving the lives of others across the country, and will bring their unique experience and passion to their roles leading our two newest branches,” said Jack Lund, President and Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA of Greater New York. “The new Ys in Coney Island and the Rockaways will not only create jobs, but will also provide much needed programs and services. I am happy to welcome Rick and Sam to the Y family because, at the end of the day, it really isn’t about the buildings we construct. It’s about the spirit of community the Y instills – and which Rick and Sam embody – that helps us do what we do best: strengthen and serve New York City’s communities.”
With executive directors in place at the two new branches, the Y will begin to hire both full-time and part-time positions at each location.
In his more than 27 years of working for the organization, Hopkins has held senior in leadership roles at YMCAs across the country. Prior to his new role, Hopkins served as Executive Director of the YMCAs in Greater Richmond, VA and Greater Rochester, NY, and has held leadership positions at several other locations around the country. Outside of the YMCA, Hopkins also served as Chief Operating Officer of Another Approach Enterprises before launching CEO Business Café, Inc., an organization aimed at helping entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Moore has more than 20 years experience leading youth service organizations, including in New York City. Prior to his new role, Moore served as Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta. Before that, he worked for the Madison Square branch of the Boys & Girls Club in New York City. Moore also spent time in Coney Island as a manager of a club house at a New York City Housing Authority site, where he dramatically improved the organization’s programs and increased membership by 300 percent.
The Coney Island Y and the Rockaway Y will each serve thousands of local families and children, and will bring together staff, volunteers, leaders and donors in these areas. Among other amenities, each of the new facilities will feature two of the largest YMCA aquatic centers in New York City, including large natatoriums with lap and family pools, new Wellness Centers and large gymnasiums.
The opening branches in Rockaway and Coney Island are part of the YMCA’s Next Century Capital Program – a decade-long, $313 million initiative to construct and renovate 10 facilities in underserved communities across New York’s five boroughs. The program aims to address the unique needs of the residents in each of these areas. Hopkins and Moore will work to introduce the Rockaway and Coney Island centers as important gathering spaces with programs and services tailored to residents’ needs, and aimed at strengthening these neighborhoods – particularly as they continue to rebuild after Hurricane Sandy.
About the YMCA of Greater New York
The YMCA of Greater New York is, and always will be, dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y nurtures the potential of every youth and teen, improves New York City’s health and well-being and provides opportunities to give back and support neighbors. In scores of neighborhoods across the five boroughs and its camp upstate, the Y makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower more than 400,000 New Yorkers to learn, grow and thrive. Visit www.ymcanyc.org. www.facebook.com/ymcanyc @ymcanyc
