CRITICAL SERVICE STORIES
THE MISSION TO SERVE ALL REMAINS
While our facilities may be closed for regular services, the YMCA of Greater Rochester is very much open for good, providing childcare for essential workers and partnering with Foodlink to feed those in need and the Red Cross to host blood drives.
Some of the people and organizations that have benefited from the Y remaining committed to serving our community shared their stories.
IN THEIR WORDS
“I am a public school teacher (Go Warriors!) and we send our daughter to a privately owned in home day care center. Our provider was no longer able to offer us with care because her new job would be to homeschool her 3 children. I was 8 months pregnant, and while we’re not in the building as teachers, we are very much so doing the same job from home. My husband is an essential employee of International Paper and coordinates the shipping logistics for the Rochester location. He works 50ish hours a week and we needed somewhere for Harper to be so that we could both still work. The Y came to our rescue and helped us for the small amount of time we needed care for before Baby #2 arrived. We owe a huge thank you to the Eastside Child Care location!” – Krista Lawton
“I am an essential employee in health care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, my daycare closed and my back up babysitter was put on mandatory quarantine. I had no options, quite literally. If it was not for the YMCA being able to provide child care at this time, my job would have been in jeopardy. One can only imagine the fallout of that consequence. Both my daughter and I are incredibly grateful for the YMCA child care. Not only are they providing daycare services at this time, they are OUTSTANDING!!! My daughter comes home every day, happy, tells me ‘she had a good day’ every day! I am indebted for not only their being open during this time, but, the quality of care she is receiving. She is in a safe, stable, nurturing environment and having a blast!!” – Michelle M. Seager
“Like a lot of families, COVID-19 has affected our family in many ways – mentally, financially and physically. My husband and I are both essential workers. He is still full time at a local label making facility and I am currently working three days a week at a pediatrician’s office. Although we may not get our workouts in at the Y, we have discovered a more essential side. They have assisted our three daughters navigate our ‘new normal.’ By being able to attend their emergency child care our girls have made new friends, learned so much from the STEAM projects being offered, attend much needed ZOOM meeting, and kept up on their online learning. Without this program and its employees, we would not be able to do what we do. Thank you!” – The Quinns
“We actually just moved into the neighborhood and we are so thankful that the YMCA is near us so that we can receive this food. It really helps during these tough times, and we are looking forward to joining when you reopen!” – Alicia Dawson and family
“This is the time to take care of one another. Thanks to organizations like the YMCA that host blood drives, and to the many who gave blood and scheduled upcoming appointments, the Red Cross has been able to meet immediate patient needs.” – The Red Cross of Western New York
The YMCA of Greater Rochester is proud to have the opportunity to continue providing crucial resources to our community in this time of public crisis.