OLEAN, N.Y. — On Tuesday, as part of the global day of giving #GivingTuesdayNow, YMCAs across New York State will join together to showcase how they are staying “Open For Good” to meet the needs of their community during the COVID-19 crisis.
Among them is the YMCA of the Twin Tiers, which includes YMCAs in Bradford, Pa., Olean and Wellsville.
“When businesses were shut down, the impact on YMCAs was immediately felt,” explained Barb Sweitzer, CEO of the YMCA of the Twin Tiers. “With our communities closed, our YMCAs began to open for good by providing essential services in our service area, including emergency childcare for medical personnel and First Responders, Community Shepherding Program which provides check-ins to make sure our youth, seniors and other at-risk populations are safe and supported, and virtual health and well-being programs for youth, families, and more.”
Locally, the YMCA of the Twin Tiers is offering Emergency Child Care Services, providing childcare services for employees of hospitals and medical facilities, nursing homes, group homes and first responders.
Sweitzer continued, “We’ve added virtual initiatives to support our members and community. We have put a strong emphasis on education and health initiatives virtually to keep our families engaged during these challenging times. We are posting resources and new materials daily on our Facebook pages.”
Through the Community Shepherding Program YMCA staff and volunteers are currently reaching out to community members to assess any needs they may have such as food, toiletries, or simply someone to talk to.
“The YMCA is more than membership. It’s connection and it’s community,” explained Megan Jennings, senior program director. “Make an effort to call and check in on your friends, family, and neighbors. A simple phone call can go a long way. You will likely inspire them to check on a few of their loved ones. These are difficult times for everyone and we need to stick together as a community now more than ever.”
#GivingTuesdayNow is a global day of giving and unity, set to take place on May 5 as an emergency response to the unprecedented challenges caused by COVID-19. The day is designed to drive an influx of generosity, citizen engagement, business and philanthropy activation, and support for communities and nonprofits around the world.
“We are very grateful to our generous committees and board members who support our cause,” said Brent Raabe, director of association advancement. “Collectively they will match gifts on this Giving Tuesday, May 5th. YMCAs are a charitable, nonprofit force for good. #GivingTuesdayNow gives us all the chance to showcase how we bring diverse communities together to help our community heal.”
To learn more about how to support the YMCA of the Twin Tier, contact Raabe at brentr@twintiersymca.org or visit https://www.ymcaforgood.org/organizations/ymca-of-the-twin-tiers.
