YMCA of Greater Charlotte Goes Above and Beyond to Do GOOD In a Time of Crisis
SHARE Charlotte is incredibly grateful for DO GOOD Week: Home Edition official partner YMCA of Greater Charlotte. In addition to supporting this year’s local celebration of National Volunteer Week, during this time of crisis, The YMCA is pivoting efforts to serve its employees, members, and our community at large by doing things such as providing free childcare for essential healthcare employees and creating a staff relief fund.
After announcing the temporary closure of all 19 of its branches and two overnight camps due to the current pandemic, The YMCA has partnered with Atrium Health and Novant Health to offer complimentary childcare services to essential employees with children ages 5–12 years. Extra precautions are being taken at the childcare facilities, including health screenings in partnership with Public Health Nurses, limited adult access, and low staff-to-child ratios to allow for required distancing. Since launching the program in late March, The YMCA has welcomed more than 130 children whose parents are serving on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, The YMCA has partnered with CMS to provide breakfast and lunch for participants through CMS Child Nutrition Services. Though they are having to adjust to a new normal, the children in attendance are experiencing a fun camp-like day that includes dedicated time for students to complete academic work provided by their schools and teachers. The childcare program also brings an opportunity for The YMCA to employ a small group of qualified staff who have been unable to work due to the branch closures.
In order to assist furloughed Y employees, the majority of whom are part-time, The YMCA recently launched an Emergency Staff Relief Fund designed to help provide access to financial resources to support immediate and essential needs, primarily housing, medical and transportation. The fund kicked off on March 20 with nearly $600,000 in donations from donors, senior YMCA leaders and board members.
Amid this time of crisis, The YMCA is also helping those served by fellow local nonprofits as well.
Individuals currently participating in Charlotte Rescue Mission’s (CRM) free, 120-day residential recovery programs operate under the same “stay at home” mandate as the rest of the community and this fragile population lacks opportunity and access to fresh air, natural sunlight and socially-distanced outdoor activity.
Together, Charlotte Rescue Mission’s Tony Marciano and YMCA of Greater Charlotte CEO Todd Tibbits brainstormed an opportunity to ease feelings of anxiety and depression for those in recovery with CRM that can be easily triggered by the current circumstances.
The YMCA opened its Camp Thunderbird campus to CRM recovery program participants. With a careful focus on social distancing and strict adherence to CDC health and hygiene guidelines, Camp Thunderbird hosted 72 of CRM’s Rebound for Men participants and four staff for lunch, activities and socially-distanced time in the outdoors. Camp Thunderbird will also host the residents of CRM’s Dove’s Nest, a recovery program for women and children, as well.
Thank you YMCA of Greater Charlotte for all of the GOOD you do for our community year round, and especially during these unprecedented times.