YMCA of CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS

#GivingTuesdayNow is a new global day of giving and unity that will take place on May 5, 2020 – in addition to the regularly scheduled Dec 1, 2020 #GivingTuesday – as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. People can show their generosity in a variety of ways during #GivingTuesdayNow–whether it’s helping a neighbor, advocating for an issue, sharing a skill, or giving to causes, every act of generosity counts. ❤️

We all know that Y volunteers are invaluable.
They’re strong. They’re resilient. They’ve got your back.

Y volunteers are making well-check calls, donating to the Y’s COVID-19 appeal, surprising our Emergency Child Care staff with lunch, leading small walking groups (socially distant of course) and so much more.

We’re working hard to support our community with free emergency child care, food preparation and distribution, well-check calls to our members and virtual exercise programs.

Together, we’re unstoppable.

Today, on this national day of giving, we invite you to be part of this incredible team and make a gift if you can. Thank you!

Donate Online

Learn more about #GivingTuesdayNow

Where’s the light at the end of the tunnel?
We’re wondering and waiting too.
THANK YOU for supporting your YMCA.

We asked you to #StayWithUs; and you did.
And we appreciate it.
But we’re still hard at work and need your help to offer:

Emergency Childcare, Feeding Programs, Supporting Vulnerable Families.
This work is difficult and we are grateful for your support.

As we approach May 1st, here’s our commitment to you: anyone who stays with us during these unprecedented times will receive 50% off their membership for the first two months when the Y reopens.

We hope you see the value in our important community efforts; please indicate your choice here or email [email protected].

Be well,
David Connell
President and CEO

This year’s Annual Meeting and Volunteer Appreciation Event was a little different. The Volunteer Recognition Event Celebrating YMCA Youth Achievers has been postponed to a later date, yet to be determined. The business portion of the Annual Meeting was moved online for a Zoom interactive video experience. YMCA Board of Directors, YMCA Executive Staff and Y Volunteers were able to connect with one another and take care of the official business of the Board of Directors, Advisory Board, Board of Governors, and Corporators.

President & CEO, David Connell’s presentation is below.

Let’s face it, getting four children out of the house – breakfast fed and lunches packed – and off to work each morning is no small feat. And now, imagine a pandemic in which you are an essential employee. You are on the front lines, fighting hard and holding on to the hope that this community health crisis will end soon and you and your family will return to some semblance of life as you knew it.

This Mom of four children, ages 3 to 11, is grateful for many things; and the Central Community Branch is ranked high on her list. During this community health crisis, the branch is offering emergency child care AND serves as a feeding site for the community in partnership with the Worcester Public Schools. Breakfast and lunch are available each day, and new this week, dinner is provided as well.

So let’s do the math: three meals a day – five days a week – for four children. That’s right – 60 meals a week help this one family, whose Mom is out helping many more people in Worcester. There’s even more! Every child in our emergency child care program receives a bag of meals to take home with them on Friday, which contains three meals a day for Saturday AND Sunday.

Since Emergency Child Care began on March 25, through our partnership, we have served 1,287 meals at the Central Branch as of the end of today. For this one family, our services continue to provide great assistance in such a challenging time. And for our community, we’ll continue to work hard and be there for those who need us most.

Dear Friends,

April 16^th marked one month since all branches of the YMCA of Central Massachusetts temporarily closed our doors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic – one month since we last were able to see you walk through the doors and welcome you with a smile. The past few weeks have been incredibly challenging, both for our community and for the world-at-large. The enormity of the situation can truly feel overwhelming at times.

Yet the Y remains deeply committed to remaining a pillar, a strong foundation, for those who depend on our programs and services – so we adapted. We’ve offered a plethora of online resources to guarantee you can still workout from the safety of your home. With the help of our partners, the Y has organized feeding efforts to assist those in our community faced with food insecurity, distributing 3,512 meals in recent weeks across our Association. The Y continues to offer Emergency Child Care to essential workers so they can go to work, knowing their children are safe and having fun while, of course, practicing social distancing.

All of this work happens in large part because of dedicated members and donors like you. Our collective efforts remind those across our Association that they are not alone during these trying times. Your support is deeply humbling and continues to inspire us as we conduct the crucial work we accomplish each day. So on behalf of all of us at the YMCA of Central Massachusetts, thank you. Thank you for your confidence and continuing to stay with us – we look forward to seeing you at the Y soon.

Stay well,

David Connell
President & CEO

The phone calls keep coming. And beyond the crucial need for emergency child care, everyone appreciates Paula Perrier’s warm, friendly and calming voice on the other end of the line.

The Tri-Community Family Branch is one of four emergency child care programs in our Association, each providing care for up to 40 children per day. “For me,” says Paula, the Director of Child Development Services in Southbridge, “this is exactly where I belong. It gives me incredible joy to know that our Y is helping essential employees do the work that they need to do during these unprecedented and uncertain times. Having a safe, positive and fun environment gives every parent peace of mind as they leave their children in our care.”

Like Rosa – a grandmother who has custody of her 10 year-old granddaughter. She is an essential worker at a local medical manufacturing plant. Without reliable child care, her granddaughter is shuffled between neighbors’ houses or left home alone. Instead, Rosa’s granddaughter spends the day playing, reading, doing yoga and group projects – all while maintaining social distance. She also receives a healthy breakfast and lunch, and a few snacks in between.

“Most of these children are new to the Y, and it’s amazing how quickly bonds are forming,” says Paula. Today’s programming, which engages children in writing thank you messages on hearts in appreciation for the hard work of so many in our community, is delivered by a caring and compassionate group of Y educators who answered the call.

Indeed, we’re ALL doing our part.