UNION COUNTY, NJ — The Gateway Family YMCA has announced that Tia Sargent is the new associate executive director at the Elizabeth Branch, located on Madison Avenue in Elizabeth.
“Tia is a welcome addition to our Elizabeth Branch staff team. She brings strong YMCA leadership experience and has already made a positive impact on the residents and members we serve,” Danielle Cioffi, the Gateway Family YMCA district executive director, said in a recent press release.
A graduate of William Paterson University, Sargent said she has always felt an affinity with the YMCA community, “Many have said that I am a woman on a mission — I take every opportunity to spread the YMCA story and connect others with the work we do in strengthening communities and our commitment to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.”
Having grown up in the Plainfield Area YMCA, Sargent became involved with the Teen Leaders Club at the Southdale Branch YMCA in Edina, Minn., and also traveled abroad with the International YMCA as a Global Y Ambassador. Her experience spans 15 years serving the community through the YMCA as a membership director, youth and teen director and community development director.
“The Y has given me many opportunities and positive experiences, and has truly shaped me into the person I am today,” Sargent said. “Each day is diverse, just like our Y’s community. I look forward to working with our great staff team to continue to strengthen the Elizabeth Branch’s community collaborations and partnerships, while also leading a culture of exceptional customer service and innovative programs and services for all ages.”
The Elizabeth Branch of the Gateway Family YMCA provides social services and emergency, temporary and residential housing programs to support individuals in need of a safe environment, as well as traditional YMCA programs open to all members of the local community.