Greendale Family Branch
Our Business Office has the pleasure of working with many parents in our Schools’ Out program. What makes these relations vital is the sense of comfort we create for parents to address their need for assistance, especially those who are facing hardship in these tough economic times.
Just recently, a single mother of two children, who is responsible for all expenses at home, expressed just how hard it was to financially afford her kids to attend such an amazing after school program. Jane had been paying full price for the School’s Out program for over 3 years until she was handed an application after explaining her hardship. Upon process, she was awarded 30% off childcare care/camp. This summer she plans to send her boys to camp one week, something she could not have done in the past.
Unfortunately, Jane is not alone. Ely, a grandparent who has been raising his granddaughter had concern about his ability to pay on time. He too applied and was granted a scholarship. His granddaughter Victoria will continue with Schools Out.
These two families are a small fraction of the many that we continue to provide care for with the Y Access Program. Our doors are open to any individual or family that is facing financial hardships. Our Y focuses on creating relationships with all our members and participants, so that they are comfortable approaching us. Often times the business office looks like the hero, but the hero is all of us: volunteers, employees, board members, association center, and directors that continue to build relationships while raising money to support the YMCA’s Mission of helping all people regardless of their ability to pay.
Boroughs Family Branch
The day began with our annual Recycling event. We brought in a group who recycles more or less anything with a cord! People from the area, members and non-members alike, were able to bring all of their old appliances, scrap metal, electronic equipment and other household items – for no cost – and have them recycled in a socially responsible manner. We also invited in a group who set up a booth and produced Child ID kits, which included finger prints, pictures and other very useful information. These kits are used in the event that a child might go missing, and they meet Federal guidelines should the pictures or fingerprints ever need to be circulated.
