The Challenge

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, area school districts are forced to move to virtual and hybrid learning for the school year. Working parents are scrambling, facing a critical immediate challenge in finding quality affordable enriching child care. The demand is unprecedented as working parents are frantically looking to find solutions so they can work and their children can transition to this new school year successfully.

The Opportunity

Since 1906, YMCA of the Pines has been committed to serve and respond to the needs of the community. This year in response to the pandemic, the Y offered emergency childcare to essential employees free of charge in the spring, offered a day camp in the summer while many non-profits were forced to close their doors, and will now offer quality childcare this fall. We have provided a safe and nurturing environment for children to learn, grow, and develop at four local school districts for many years. Today is no different.

Also, we are expediting all requirements to obtain a license to provide childcare at our main facility the days schools are closed and will not let the costs or fees be a barrier. We are committed to supporting children in completing their online learning as well as offer physical activity in an outdoor setting, art projects, socialization, and fun. The program will follow the safety protocols approved by CDC and other related entities.

How You Can Help?

We are seeking community heroes to help support this initiative. We’re facing a funding shortfall. Due to increased ratios for staff, increased cleaning costs, longer hours, and myriad other challenges, our cost per child is skyrocketing. We are fully committed to supporting families and their children, and we are prepared to undertake this significant initiative, so we are actively seeking our community’s support.

This fall funding will provide:

• Financial assistance for low-/moderate-income families, especially responding to requests from
  working parents including essential workers. In the spring, the government covered the cost of
  the emergency childcare for essential workers, now it is our commitment to provide childcare
  on the days schools are closed to those who need us the most.
• Educational resources including supplies, learning tools, and other essentials
• Technology needs
• Healthy snacks
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for staff and students and cleaning costs

We’re committed to our mission! Currently, we have fewer resources and the need is increasing; to cover the gap we need the community’s help.

Together, we will continue the YMCA of the Pines’ Legacy of Serving the Community!