Rye Y to Receive Major NY State Grant
The Rye YMCA—a leading provider of high-quality childcare in the Sound Shore area—
will receive a $1.5 million New York State grant to develop an Early Learning Center in Port Chester. The funding will be used to renovate the former All Souls Presbyterian Church at 55 Parkway Drive, creating 7 classrooms for up to 103 children ages 3 months to 5 years.
The new Center is part of the Y’s $4.5 million investment to expand access to high-quality early childhood education in the Sound Shore region. Thanks to generous support from New York State, elected officials, foundations, and local donors, the Rye Y has made significant progress toward bringing this project to life.
“We’re thrilled to partner with the state on this exciting project,” said Kathy Lynam, the Rye Y’s Vice President for Child Care. “Not only will the new center provide critically-needed childcare for working families, it will also create 23 full-time jobs for local residents.”
In late June, Governor Kathy Hochul announced more than $106 million through the Child Care Capital Construction Funding Program to support 37 projects across New York State that will help create, preserve, and expand access to high-quality childcare.
Administered by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), the Child Care Capital Construction Funding Program provides reimbursement grants to support the design, construction, reconstruction, renovation, and equipping of licensed childcare facilities across New York State. The program helps expand access to safe, modern, high-quality childcare for working families and communities statewide.
The project has also received support through state funding secured by NYS Senator Shelley Mayer and NYS Assemblyman Steve Otis, who each secured $500,000 for the project, and Empire State Development, which is investing $100,000. Additional support has come from foundations and individual community members who believe in the Y’s mission and have contributed generously to the project.
“We’re so grateful to Governor Hochul, our State Legislators, and to our donors for recognizing that childcare is a basic need for New Yorkers,” said Rye Y CEO Sabrina Murphy. “By addressing the acute shortage of affordable care, particularly for low-income, bilingual, and under-resourced families, this project will strengthen educational equity, economic mobility, and long-term community strength”.
“Building the center is only part of our commitment," Murphy added. "We also believe every child deserves access to exceptional early learning, regardless of a family's financial circumstances. Ongoing community support helps ensure that cost is never the reason a child misses this opportunity.”
State Senator Shelley Mayer said, “I am pleased to have secured $500,000 in capital funding to support the Rye YMCA's efforts to expand access to high-quality childcare for families in Port Chester. Combined with additional state funding, this investment will help transform All Souls Presbyterian Church into a community childcare center, providing much-needed, affordable services for local families. Thank you to Assemblyman Steve Otis for his partnership in securing this funding, local donors, and to Governor Kathy Hochul for her leadership in making the Child Care Capital Construction Fund available. Thank you to the Rye YMCA for your commitment to serving our community and expanding access to quality childcare.”
NYS Assemblyman Steve Otis said, “Quality childcare remains a vital need for Port Chester and all Westchester communities. This exciting project will transform the former All Souls Church property across from Lyon Park into a multi-dimensional community resource focused on childcare, while also serving several other local not-for-profit service organizations. I am very pleased that we were able to bring multiple state grant funding sources to Port Chester to make this project possible.”
The Rye Y purchased the former church building in July 2025 through a unique partnership with Rye Presbyterian Church. Construction at the site began in June 2026, and will include 7 new classrooms, administrative offices, ADA-compliant restrooms, a dedicated outdoor play area, a new HVAC system and elevator, and enhanced security. The Rye Y’s new facility will also house community partners such as Five Steps to 5 and Food to Grow On, two local nonprofits which provide valuable services to the Port Chester community.
The facility renovations are expected to be completed in July 2027 with the Port Chester Early Learning Center opening in September 2027. In keeping with its mission, the Rye Y is committed to ensuring that no family is turned away because of financial hardship. As with all YMCA programs, financial assistance will be available to help make high-quality early learning accessible to those who need it most.
Although construction is underway, the Rye Y continues to seek philanthropic support to complete the project and build the scholarship resources that will help families benefit from the new center for generations to come. For information on supporting this project, please contact Susan Olson, Development Director, at susanolson@ryeymca.org.
