SMITHFIELD YMCA

 

 

March 19, 2020

Dear Smithfield Y Community,

As you all know, these are unprecedented times and uncharted waters for all of us. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this very difficult time of uncertainty. As always, you are our priority and we are eternally grateful for your support in helping the Y to serve our community through healthy living, youth development and social responsibility.

On Sunday March 15, 2020, we suspended all operations at the request of Governor Raimondo, President of Y-USA, Kevin Washington and the Department of Health’s recommendation to ensure the safety of our members, program participants and staff.

While operations are temporarily on hold, we are working diligently on short and long-term plans to ensure the sustainability of our future. We are also utilizing this time to perform a thorough, deep cleaning of all facility and program areas, address any facility maintenance, and create unique and innovative methods to provide you with virtual workout experiences and family programming, while we weather this storm.

As a nonprofit organization, our members, program participants and donors are the mean of support for the Y to continue our vital work of serving our communities. If you are in a position to continue supporting the Y through your membership dues and access the array of virtual fitness programs, weekly fitness program guides and preschool and school-age programming (coming soon) via our Facebook social media site and emails, then no further action is needed on your end. If you wish to explore other options, please see below a few alternatives to consider.

MEMBERSHIP

OPTION 1: CONTINUE YOUR MEMBERSHIP
Our members are the heart and soul of our organization. While our facilities may be temporarily closed, we will be offering FREE programming. Visit FREE virtual fitness classes to browse a sample of classes offered from yoga to kick boxing and strength training. Coming soon, we will also be adding virtual pre-school and school-aged programming via our Facebook page (Smithfield YMCA) to assist families with fun and stimulating activities to keep your kiddos busy, and to help decrease the stress for children, at this trying time. If you are able, and would like to continue your membership, no further action is needed. Due to our facility not being open, your continued membership fees may be used as a donation

OPTION 2: PUT YOUR MEMBERSHIP ON HOLD (Action needed by March 26th)
This option is for those that are not able to continue membership or donate at this time. You can put your membership on hold through April 30, 2020 and pay no joiners fee when the Y re-opens. No membership fees will be deducted from your account through April 30, 2020 and we will inform you of next steps in mid April, based on the latest updates. You must contact the Y via email or phone to place your membership on hold.

Please email ONE of the following staff members to place your membership on hold. If you are not able to email your request, full-time staff will be available Monday, March 23rd through Thursday, March 26th between 9 AM and 2 PM via phone to handle your request at 401-949-2480 ext. 100.

shauna@ymca1.org
Jennifer@ymca1.org
Shannon@ymca1.org
Hannah@ymca1.org

OPTION 3: WE ARE HERE FOR YOU
If you need anything during these times of uncertainty we will do our best to help you. We are here for you and we will do what we can to help you through! Please do not hesitate to email shauna@ymca1.or or call 949-2480 ext. 102. #BetterTogether

BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL CHILDCARE

Currently enrolled families in the Y’s before and/or after school program will receive a program credit for the two weeks of childcare that we were unable to provide. This credit can be used toward future YMCA child care payments or programming. Moving forward, all monthly drafts have been suspended until further notice and no action is needed on your end.

PROGRAMS

If you are currently enrolled in one of our session based programs, such as swim lessons, we will be providing the remainder of this session once the Y is able to safely reopen. No refunds or program credits will be given at this time, as the session will be completed upon reopening. No action is needed on your end.

Although daily operations are currently on hold, the Y still has an overwhelming amount of expenses that need to be paid during this closure. Expenses include everything from liability insurance, unemployment insurance, workman’s compensation insurance, pool related expenses, oil and propane, electricity, etc. I assure you we have cut costs where we are able, but we will need the support of our Y family in order to continue serving our community.

While life as we all knew it has certainly changed over the last couple of weeks, one thing we know for certain is that our Y is united by a deep commitment to community. When our doors are open and we are together, the sense of community at our Y is like no other. We truly appreciate the positive feedback from many of our members and we hope that you will consider staying with us during this unstable time. When you stay with us, you are helping the Y move forward together and remain sustainable to continue serving our communities. To make a tax deductible donation to further support the Y at this time, please contact shauna@ymca1.org. Please take care of yourself and one another. We cannot wait to be back with our Y family again! #staywithus

In Good Health & Warm Thoughts,

Shauna L. Lewis
CEO, Smithfield YMCA