Mericle Family Center YMCA

Mericle Family Center YMCA Opens in Hazleton


Hazleton, PA – After closing its doors in 2019, the Hazleton YMCA officially reopened on Friday, Jan. 31 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the facility’s reopening as the newly renovated Mericle Family Center YMCA.

RIBBON-CUTTING PHOTO GALLERY

The building was renamed to honor the significant contributions of Rob and Kim Mericle, whose generosity and vision made the project possible. Located at 75 South Church Street, Mericle Family Center YMCA is now part of the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA, which also operates branches in Wilkes-Barre, Pittston and a summer camp in White Haven. The Hazleton location has undergone extensive renovations thanks to the support of the Mericle family, who contributed more than $5 million in capital and program funding for the project, including the purchase and restoration of the building. In recognition of their longstanding support, the Hazleton YMCA is now the “Mericle Family Center YMCA.”

“Reopening this facility would never have been possible without the vision and support of the Mericle family and companies,” said Jim Thomas, CEO of the
Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA. “From the initial repurchase of the building to the donations of capital and operating funds, architectural design, and
construction management services, to Rob serving as the Chair for our region-wide capital campaign, they have been with us as invaluable partners every step of the way.”

DCED’s Neighborhood Assistance Program has also been vital to the YMCA’s fundraising efforts in bringing in new donors and partners into the project for a $1.075M award in 2022 and a $1.2M award in the 2024 round. The YMCA would like to thank and acknowledge all of the regional businesses, foundations and private donors who have contributed to the Hazleton project: Fidelity Bank, First Federal Charitable Foundation, FNCB Bank, Hayden Power Group, Jacobi Capital Management, M&T Bank, Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services, Mid Penn Bank, Moses Taylor Foundation, Peoples Security Bank & Trust, Security Savings Fund of the Luzerne Foundation and Wayne Bank. Legislators Senator Dave Argall and Representative Dane Watro also helped, securing $678,000 in Local Share Account funding for the project.

Part of the Mericle Family Center YMCA, the new child care center will be named the Pasco L. Schiavo Early Learning Center, in recognition of a $500,000 contribution to the project made by the Schiavo Fund of the Luzerne Foundation. This state-of-the-art center will provide high-quality early learning opportunities for children and support working families in the Greater Hazleton area.

The reopening of the Mericle Family Center YMCA will be rolled out in phases:

• Phase 1: A new 75-child day care center, the Pasco L. Schiavo Early Learning Center, will begin enrolling children in early February 2025

• Phase 2: Renovations commencing in April 2025 for classrooms for before- and after-school care and the gymnasium will accommodate an
additional 75 children, thanks to donations from the Mericle family and other local businesses through DCED’s Neighborhood Assistance Program.

• Future Plans: Additional funding will be sought to complete renovations on the first floor, including the two pools, locker rooms and a wellness center,
anticipated later in 2025

The reopening of the Mericle Family Center YMCA marks a significant milestone for the Hazleton community. The revitalized facility will provide essential
programs and services, from child care to recreation, contributing to the health and well-being of residents across all ages. The Hazleton Branch of the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA invites the public to attend an open house unveiling the completion of the child care center, this Saturday, Feb. 1 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Join the YMCA and the Hazleton community in celebrating this exciting new chapter for the community. 

Greater Hazleton Area YMCA Set to Open in January, Lissette Dishmey Named Executive Branch Director

 

HAZLETON, PA (Wednesday, October 23) – The Greater Hazleton Area YMCA will officially open in January, offering quality childcare for 75 children ages 0-5 during phase one of reinstating a community center that served the region for generations.

“The goal of the Greater Hazleton Area YMCA is to reestablish a community center in the heart of Hazleton,” said Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA CEO, Jim Thomas. “Phase one will focus on offering quality and affordable childcare to the community. Phase two will see the pools and gym restored. The new outdoor playground shows the progress we have made already, but I’m even more excited about the potential we have to grow the Y in Hazleton.”

“These two pools are vital to the Hazleton community,” added Thomas. “The ability to teach water safety to this community will save children’s lives. Reopening these pools is extremely important.”

Located at 75 South Church Street in Hazleton, the site has been home to the YMCA and YWCA in the past, but closed in June of 2019 due to lack of funding. As part of a plan to expand services throughout Luzerne County, the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA completed a successful merger with the Greater Hazleton YWCA earlier this year. Thanks to funding provided by generous supporters, the building is now set to reopen with new leadership. The Greater Hazleton Area YMCA will be led by Lissette Dishmey, who was named Executive Branch Director by Thomas in June 2024.

“I’m very excited to be part of a great team that is committed to bringing the YMCA to the Hazleton community,” said Dishmey. “As a branch of the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA, we aim to provide quality and safe programming that serves all community members from birth to adulthood. I am convinced that working hard together for a greater Hazleton, great things are soon to come.”

Lissette comes to the branch with previous experience in leadership roles in Luzerne County. She spent three years working at the Welfare office in Hazleton before moving into social work with Wilkes University’s SHINE program and the Global Engagement Office. She also led the instruction of Spanish in the Workplace courses to support local businesses with inclusion efforts. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Lissette is committed to community and advocacy for the new American and immigrant community.

Phase one will include an early education and child care center that will serve up to 75 children. Daycare and after-school care is at the forefront of the renovations. The pool and gym will also be renovated but will fall under phase two of the plan, which will also add room for another 75 children. A date for phase two of the reopening has not been set at this time.

The Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA association is currently in growth mode, having expanded from just two branches in 2019 to six by 2024. The Greater Hazleton Area YMCA and Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA are non-profit, charitable organizations turning no one away for inability to pay. The YMCA awards financial assistance to children, adults, and families in need across our communities in northeastern Pennsylvania. Those who share a passion for healthy living may join in supporting this cause by donating to the YMCA. To learn how to qualify for financial assistance, call (570) 823-2191.