In response to the ongoing pandemic — and the potential threat to everyone’s physical and emotional health — The YMCA of the Twin Tiers is organizing a community shepherding program encouraging local residents to care for one another.
The program is happening in all three of the organization’s communities: Bradford, Olean, N.Y., and Wellsville, N.Y.
“The well-being of members, staff, volunteers, and our entire community is our priority. We are adjusting our efforts to spread the Y caring spirit throughout our community,” said Barb Sweitzer, CEO, YMCA of the Twin Tiers.
“While developing our COVID-19 Response Plan for the YMCA, we focused on how the Y should rise above our closed buildings and serve the community when people need us most,” said Sweitzer. “Our planning process led to our core mission of strengthening foundation of community and we began identifying the gaps during these unprecedented times, and how we respond in support. Among many action items, a Community Shepherding Program evolved.”
The Shepherding Program is very simple. It is people caring for people and people caring for their community. Y staff and volunteers are given their “flock” of people that they will “shepherd” during this period of isolation. It is an organized effort to leave no one forgotten, alone or isolated. Although the program targets five distinct target groups it is important to recognize that there are other vulnerable populations.
The five targeted areas are aging seniors, people who suffer from mental illness, intergenerational families, low income families, and children left alone at home while schools are closed. Each of these targeted populations has unique pre-existing challenges that could heighten during this COVID-19 crisis.
Sweitzer added, “I believe that we will have more casualties caused from isolation and added pressures than from the virus itself. As a community, we can rise to help our neighbors and make a difference.”
Anyone who would like to be a shepherd and give caring support to a flock is asked to call Megan Jennings, Community Shepherding Program director, at 716-701-1376.
“How we respond and how we help during this time will define how our community rebounds,” said Jennings.
As the Y finalizes its organization of the program, shepherds will be included in a brief training, provided with scripts and available resources to share with their flock. Participants need not be experts, they just need caring hearts and have time to connect with others.
YMCA staff are currently reaching out to Y members to assess any needs they may have such as food, toiletries or simply someone to talk to.
Sweitzer continued, “The YMCA is so much more than a swim and gym facility. We’re a community and a cause dedicated to strengthening and protecting the spirits, minds, and bodies of our friends and communities. Our team is actively trying to engage members who may need us most during these difficult times. Certain populations are more vulnerable during extended periods of isolation so we’re implementing a shepherding program to look after them. We want our members to know we may not be able to open our facility doors to them right now, but we’re still able to support them by reaching out and assisting them in other ways if possible.”
