August 24, 2020
Dear Valued YMCA Member,
Although this letter is difficult to write, so are the times we are living in. In the state of Illinois, the resurgence of COVID over the past several weeks has remained consistent and poses new challenges. Children are especially affected right now as they cannot return to school for in-person learning, fall sports are on hold, and play time must occur in a socially distanced manner.
Our schools and our neighbors have asked your YMCA for help and we are answering the call.
The Y’s Respond to E-Learning
Our Ys have the ability to pivot our mission to respond when our communities need us most. We have the facilities, staff, and expertise to provide e-learning support and full day childcare. You might be wondering how we can safely and effectively open our facilities for learning while the schools have closed due to stopping the transmission of COVID? The YMCA will limit the number of children enrolled in our programs, AND we have access to the wide-open spaces in our buildings to socially distance the children.
No other organization is better equipped to immediately mobilize the provision of childcare to children and families that need it NOW. We have full-time E-learning support academies formed at Campanelli YMCA, Taylor Family YMCA, and onsite at Elgin School District elementary schools — for children of teachers, working parents, and the critical workers the community relies on. Children will receive support as they work on their school subjects, participate in health and wellness activities, STEM projects, while receiving social and emotional learning opportunities.
YMCA Membership Pause
The Y too, now is placed in a position to adapt to these circumstances. Effective September 1, 2020, Campanelli and Taylor YMCA’s are temporarily pausing all YMCA memberships to focus upon providing critical childcare services for school age children. For us to be able to do so in a safe and efficient manner, it is vital that we immediately pivot our business model.
First and foremost, we want to be clear that our YMCA’s long-term vision is to remain operational in your communities. With most local school districts providing E-learning to children, the Y is opening our entire facility to provide full day E-learning support to the children and families who need us now—and, more than ever before.
What We Need You to Do
To make this transition as easy as possible, you do not have to do anything. Effective September 1, 2020 all memberships will be automatically placed on hold, and dues will no longer be drafted. All facility usage will be shut down during this time. We anticipate being able to reopen membership once the school districts can conduct in-person learning. For the most up to date information, please check our website page at www.gcfymca.org or follow us on Facebook.
The YMCA will also send you a 30-day notice via US mail when we intend to reopen the facility to members. We encourage our members and friends to please share through your social media how your YMCAs are proudly caring for children and families. YMCAs can only continue to thrive through all of us advocating for our Ys and sharing the impact we are making in so many lives during this crisis.
We’re All In This Together
Since the phased-in reopening of our YMCA’s on June 1, 2020 we worked hard to earn your trust to ensure your health and safety while using our facilities, and we thank you for that! We continue to ask for your trust and support while we temporarily pause normal operations to care for the children throughout our community. You can always count on the Y to continue to strengthen community through efforts to advocate for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Please know we are always here for you, and we look forward to seeing you back at the Y soon. Thank you for standing by us and understanding our commitment to nurturing children.
Very truly,
Doug Britt
President/CEO