In March,
the YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County's main facility was closed due to state mandate
,
leaving many individuals and families without the much needed support they once had. “Throughout Ithaca and Tompkins County, countless people know and depend on the Y, and we are doing everything we can to continue to address community needs,” said Gregg Houck, Director of Membership at the YMCA.
On May 4th, it was announced
that
UWTC and the Community Foundation of Tompkins County were going to support the Y in their efforts by coming together to jointly fund the agency's remote initiatives.
This grant allows the Y to focus on
services that can meet those needs remotely or with limited direct contact.
Services provided include a new partnership with Friendship Donations Network (FDN) to serve as a neighborhood food hub, phone-based welfare checks on area seniors done by YMCA staff members, the launch of online virtual workout classes along with resources for health, wellness, and youth development to be shared on the Y’s website and social media channels, as well as the maintenance of the YMCA Outdoor Education Center.