Friday, April 24, 2020
Dear Members, Participants, Families, Friends and Supporters,
The Y is more than a place...it's about community connections beyond our four walls. Every day we work to ensure kids have a safe place to go, that older adults have a place to socialize, stay active and combat isolation and loneliness, that everyone in our community has access to a place where they can connect and stay healthy.
We are excited about what we are able to continue to provide our community, virtually - beyond our walls.
Group Exercise classes
, youth programming including our
School of Performing Arts
classes,
gymnastics
,
Y Ninja Gym
,
Rosettes
team practice,
teen
programs,
volunteer
opportunities,
senior
programming and continuing services to our most vulnerable population - our Paths to Wellness participants through our
Parkinson's Disease and MS wellness groups
, are some of the programs we are able to continue to provide. We hosted critical
blood drives
this month,
food drives
for the Interfaith Food Pantry in Morristown every Friday in April, and in May we will be supporting
Homeless Solutions
. It’s our way of helping you stay active, healthy and connected in your own home, and on your own time.
That’s why it’s so important in uncertain times like these that incredible members like you stay with us – to help us in our quest to continue to do good in the community.
Your relationship with the Y is what keeps us going
, keeps us strong and keeps us in service to those who need it most. We thank you for that and want you to know that the Y is active and operating beyond our walls.
We are working to continually expand what we can offer virtually. We always have been and are still here for our community. Stick with us.
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YOUR YMCA
MEMBERSHIP CHOICES
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There are three options available to you for your membership: maintain, hold, or cancel. For those who are able, keeping your membership active helps us remain viable now and in the future.
Please contact us to discuss your options by emailing
[email protected]
.
We are deeply grateful to those of you who have reached out to support the Y. Like many other businesses and nonprofits in this pandemic, the loss of revenue has the potential to have a significant impact on our F.M. Kirby Children's Center and Family Center operations.
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Check out our Livestreaming Group Exercise schedule. Join some of your favorite instructors, with links to participate via Zoom. We have added new classes including Indoor Cycling with Nikki and Chair Yoga and Forever Fit with Donna Sue. These are free for members and our non-members.
No equipment needed, just your computer or cell phone to livestream with us.
Check out our YMCA Live page
here
for more information, how to join, protocols, and class descriptions.
Schedules and links will be posted to our YMCA Live page going forward.
We can't wait to "see" you!
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Regular exercise is one component of a healthy lifestyle that can help reduce stress and prevent illness. It is important to us that our members are able to continue a healthy lifestyle during this time. We have multiple options available to you today and we are working to add additional options in the days to come. These resources are free to our community.
YMCA 360, an on-demand video platform from the national YMCA, features group exercise classes, youth sports classes, well-being classes and more.
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"We’ve heard of the “mind-muscle connection” when lifting. I decided to remember the good times with a “mind-gym connection” this morning. Miss the gym rats, deep tissue massage and the StretchLab flexologists. But make no doubt about it...WE WILL RETURN. ONE STEP BACKWARDS, TWO STEPS FORWARD." -John P.
We miss you, John! Looking forward to seeing you and everyone again soon!
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This week, the Madison Area YMCA was able to provide Chromebooks to the Rexford S. Tucker Madison residents so that seniors without technology have a way to keep in contact with their loved ones and help combat social isolation.
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OUR KIRBY PARENTS AND TEACHERS FEEL THE LOVE
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W
e know our teachers miss seeing our Kirby
students everyday. Last week, the parents of our infants helped surprise our teachers with a special video of the kids at home. It brought all of us such joy and hope that we will all see one another soon. Infant 3 Lead Teacher Miss
Cathy said "Thank you so much! It made me smile and cry. I miss my babies so much. Thanks again, it was very nice to see them all. Stay safe!" Infant 2 Lead Teacher Miss Sara said "I'm in tears over that video!! That was awesome. We miss them too!"
In return, the teachers filmed special songs for the infants. We feel the love!
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TEENS: VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING
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We've been missing our epic Kickback Fridays with our teens. We hosted a few Virtual Kickback Fridays in April, including one today. We are hosting another one
Friday, May 1 at 6pm.
To learn more, email Youth & Teen Director Liz Kryznefski.
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Find ways to connect with the Y and our community virtually.
Please visit our Community Connections page for a listing of local community efforts, events, dates, important resources and ways you can get involved.
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DROP-OFF
TOILETRIES DRIVE: HOMELESS SOLUTIONS
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Our Y is hosting a Drop-off Toiletries Drive,
Friday, May 1, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
to help support Homeless Solutions in Morristown. Our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness need your help! This is a great way to help others in need while keeping non essential travel, particularly outside our home communities to a minimum.
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STAY WITH THE Y: STAFF AND OPERATIONS SUPPORT FUND
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One way you can contribute is to give to the Stay with the Y – Operations Support Fund. A gift to this fund will not only help support our long-term financial health and keep our Kirby Center and Family Center operations viable, it will allow us to support our staff who have emergent needs. If you are in a position to give, you can make a difference
.
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Through the Madison Area YMCA's youth and family counseling program Project Community Pride, we are pleased to share we are able to provide many of our clients with virtual counseling and weekly sessions. We have even completely accommodated our wait list, providing additional services during this time when there is a rising need for the important services our licensed clinical professionals provide.
Visit Tri Town Cares for resources for our communities for mental health services.
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MADISON CHATHAM COALITION
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Madison Chatham Coalition is working together with Project Community Pride of the Madison Area YMCA on a new podcast about how to talk to your kids about COVID-19 and ways to support parents during this time. It will also include information about recovery support services for those dealing with substance use disorder.
Stay tuned for more information found on the Y's website and Facebook page.
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Ask Your Rep to Make Sure YMCAs and Y Employees are Included in the Next COVID Relief Bill!
Help ensure nonprofits like the Y can continue to serve their communities.
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Have you seen our staff video? Get ready to dance and check it out below.
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Madison Area YMCA | 111 Kings Road, Madison
| 973-822-9622 |
Website
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As a mission-driven nonprofit charitable organization, the Madison Area YMCA believes everyone, regardless of age, income or background, should have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. For more information about
financial assistance
or to make a
tax-deductible donation
, please call 973-822-YMCA (9622) or
click here
to make a secure online donation today.
MADISON AREA YMCA
FAMILY CENTER: 111 Kings Road, Madison - 973-822-9622
F.M. KIRBY CHILDREN'S CENTER: 54 East Street, Madison - 973-377-4945
PROJECT COMMUNITY PRIDE: 973-845-6480
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