Elmont’s Haitian Community to Benefit from New YMCA Community Center
After years of advocacy from residents and elected officials, plans for an 18,000-square-foot YMCA community center in Elmont, Long Island, are moving forward. The $4.8 million project, part of the broader Belmont Park redevelopment, will be developed and operated by the YMCA of Long Island. Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages has championed the center's development, which is expected to provide recreational, educational, and social opportunities for local families. Haitian community leaders also envision the YMCA as a vital gathering place to strengthen cultural connections, offer resources, and foster community among Elmont’s Haitian residents, who constitute approximately 11.6% of the population. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the project, which will receive $2.5 million in state funding, with the remaining $2.3 million contributed by UBS Arena, the New York Islanders, and Empire State Development.
