YMCA Offers Childcare for Essential Work During COVID-19
YMCA:Education Solid Gold Neighbor
Holly Burchett, Director, Community Relations
Today we are glad to shine a bright light on a non-profit organization that is stepping up to serve the Waco-McLennan County community. Although the YMCA of Central Texas typically works hard to help our community members build muscles in the weight room and on the playing fields, you might not be aware that they are more than just a gym! And, although their members are still being offered avenues to achieve healthy living, youth development and social responsibility to impact their overall wellness virtually during COVID-19, they spent this past week flexing a different muscle that demonstrates their commitment to many of our community members.As we find ourselves sheltering in place, there are still many that are in need of childcare support so that they can work in the essential and necessary environments that are most needed at this time. Rodney Martin, the CEO of the YMCA, explains, "The health of ALL is not only a top priority, but it's part of our mission. Due to COVID-19, our YMCA branches are currently closed; however, we continue to offer limited childcare programming on a daily basis, supporting the childcare needs of our first responders, medical professionals, government officials, and those that must continue their work in this challenging time."
When the YMCA was approached by Family Health Center and Prosper Waco to consider exploring a conversation around how they might be supportive to our community in providing a safe and enriching environment for school age children, they immediately responded and have chosen to lead out in a meaningful way because they feel that it strongly ties to their non-profit mission around supporting communities and youth. Tiffiney Gray, Senior Specialist for Health Initiatives at Prosper Waco, reported, "It's amazing to see the Waco YMCA step up and immediately offer to help provide childcare for essential medical personnel in the city. These are some of our frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19 and I'm sure it's a relief for them to know their school-aged children are in a safe environment while they're working."
If you know someone that is in an essential line of work that would benefit from childcare during this time, please encourage them to email ymcahelp@ymcactx.org, or download the flyer with additional information.