Dear Norwich YMCA Members,
With the most recent developments and instructions from
Governor Cuomo, the Norwich Family YMCA has closed until further notice. This
was effective Monday, March 16, 2020 due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak that is
currently effecting the World and most importantly our community. We know that
this was the right decision under these extreme circumstances.
During the past week we have been in close contact with
our Chenango County Health Department officials, the Office of Children and
Family Services, and local community organizations assessing the many needs in
our community. Even with the ordering of schools and businesses to close there
are still immediate needs to be met in our community. Your YMCA is proudly
helping out when and where we can. We should be proud of your community, as
there are so many organizations working together in Norwich and Chenango County
to support many of these unmet needs. For example your YMCA was asked by
Chenango Memorial Hospital to provide Emergency Childcare for their employees
and Nursing Home employees during this time. They needed us and we were there
to help - a true collaboration. Their staff will provide health screenings for
the children attending and our working staff. This allows their employees to be
able to work on the front lines caring for the residents and patients in our
community.
It’s more important than ever to live our YMCA mission of serving and strengthening our community. We are doing what we can to provide you with communication and updates through our social media platforms which include our website at www.norwichymca.com and
our Norwich Family YMCA Facebook page.
We must remember that the Norwich YMCA is more than a building on North Broad Street, and while we can’t serve you in person, we are hoping to connect with you through new and creative ways. YMCA’s across the country are using their creativity and talents to bring you virtual classes and resources through a new Virtual 360. Please look for this in the coming days.
We know that you have many questions and we do too. All
of us at the Norwich YMCA are grateful for the outpouring of support through
your messages, texts, voicemails and more. Thank you! We cannot express the potentially devastating
impact this closure and any program cancellations will have on our operations.
Besides the depression in the early 20th century, this will be the
most significant operational challenge for our 158 year old organization. When
this is over and passes, we want you to know that we will be here for you.
During this closure approximately twenty of our full time
staff, volunteer childcare staff and cleaners are working to clean the
facility, working on building projects and emergency childcare. Regrettably,
130 of our part time staff are unable to work during this closure. Unfortunately, without membership and program
fees being collected at this time, operations have ceased as we knew them but
the bills still continue to come in for insurance, utilities, cardio leases,
etc. We are doing everything we can to be ready to open for you when we are
told that we can. We hope that you will stay with us during this difficult time
and keep your membership active.
The Board of Directors met Monday evening and approved
the following information:
= For
all of our valued members you have a choice with regards to your current membership status: You can consider this month’s paid membership dues as a donation to the Y’s ongoing mission to serve our community. Another option will be to extend a credit for those unused paid days that occurred during the closure. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this difficult time and we are excited for the opportunity to continue our health and wellness journey together when our doors open again.
= Those
currently enrolled in nursery school, preschool, and other childcare programs will have two choices at this time: you may consider your program fee for the month of March a donation to the Y’s ongoing mission to serve our community or you may take a 50% credit towards your March tuition for future programming in the 2020 calendar year, or any pre advanced payments that you might have already made.
= Those
currently enrolled in aquatics programming and homeschool programming will have two choices at this time: you may consider your program fees for this session a donation to the Y’s ongoing mission to serve our community or you may take a credit towards future programming in the 2020 calendar year.
= Those
currently enrolled in youth sports programming
will have two choices at this time: you may consider your program fees for this sports season a donation to the Y’s ongoing mission to serve our community or you may take a credit towards future programming in the 2020 calendar year. This credit will be prorated due program expenses.
To communicate with us regarding your system credit, a
donation or any other questions that you might have please feel free to
communicate with us at the following email: [email protected] as
we will be checking this email frequently.
Please note that we
will not be invoicing or bank drafting after March 15th until we are
back open and operational again.
As members, we value and care for you. You are the heart
of this organization and we know how much you depend on the YMCA. We are asking
that we look after each other during this time, stay connected, check on your
neighbors, especially our seniors and those that might be isolated.
The coronavirus has created an enormous uncertainty but
together we will be able to unite to help and serve those in need. We thank you
for your support and understanding during this global pandemic. Please be well
and be safe. Our Y community is strong, and together we will get through this.
Jamey Mullen, Executive Director
And all of the YMCA Staff.
https://filecabinet5.eschoolview.com/64C904CE-8B8E-464A-BFF3-3093090CC170/DearNorwichYMCAMembers.pdf