We are the Y. Our cause is wider than our gyms and deeper than our pools. We are not defined by our building. The YMCA is for Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility.
Today we are announcing closures for the safety and well-being of our members, staff, volunteers, and the broader community. Our facility will be closed starting today at 3pm
and will remain closed through March 29. We will continually monitor and evaluate conditions for reopening based on further recommendations from health officials.
Our Mission Nutrition program will continue to provide meals for youth and any County resident who is 18 years of age or younger. The food will be distributed curbside at the Y during specific times to be determined and announced. We will also determine additional ways we will meet critical needs in our community. Our members will soon learn of remote and virtual group exercise opportunities.
We understand that closing our facility will impact many of our dedicated members. We will have follow-up communications with you regularly regarding your membership and other ways we can serve you. While the building is closed, the Y Mission continues. Please consider this temporary disruption as an opportunity to further support the YMCA mission through our crisis response and as we work to both provide essential services and to sustain our part-time hourly employees.
We understand this is a very concerning situation. The YMCA has been a pillar of our community for more than 152 years through good and challenging times. The decision to close our Y was not made lightly. This is not about you, me, or our Wellness Center. This is a decision in the interest of the health and safety of everyone in our community. This decision is consistent with recommendations from the CDC, State of Michigan, health officials, and YMCA of the USA.
During this closure, you can expect regular updates from us via email, our website, and our Facebook page. We will continue to work with health officials to determine what other actions, if any, would be prudent on our part and when it will be safe to reopen our Y.
We are asking that you follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and take measures to protect yourself and others. These measures include avoiding situations with large crowds or where you come in close contact with others, staying home if you do not feel well, frequently washing your hands with soap and water and covering coughs and sneezes.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this evolving and challenging situation. We look forward to returning to business as usual as soon as possible.
With gratitude,
Steve Meyer
President and CEO
YMCA of Saginaw
