Dear YMCA Community,
If it were non-COVID times, this week would have looked very different for all of us. Thousands of people would have gathered on the streets of Newton, Boston, and surrounding towns for Marathon Monday, and we'd be cheering for Y runner Claudia Baier (who, by the way, is very close to hitting her
Y fundraising goal
if you'd like to help her get to the now-September finish line!). Our building would be bustling with kids—shooting hoops in the gymnasium, running on the turf field, splashing in the pool, creating art projects in the Rec Room—all excited for a brief vacation from school. Instead, we're concluding our fifth week of closure, the streets were empty and quiet this past Monday, and children, parents, and teachers got news that they won't be returning to their schools this year.
Despite these challenges, we feel that our community remains strong and connected. Our weekly grocery deliveries for the Newton Food Pantry are more important than ever. Our furloughed staff continue to apply for financial support through SERF, our Y's Staff Emergency Relief Fund. Thankfully, the new buds and blooms remind us that spring is finally on its way.
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A Feel Good Moment from this Week
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The highlight of our week was Tuesday morning when we surprised Chara, a participant in our afterschool and Girls Empower programs, by wishing her a very happy 11th birthday! She couldn’t have a party, so we brought the party to her... at an appropriate distance of course.
Chara's beaming smile says it all: It was a superb surprise for her and a truly uplifting experience for us as well. We can’t wait until we can welcome Chara and the rest of our friends back to the Y.
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In Case You Missed It: Connect with the Y Virtually
While we miss being able to see you all in person, finding ways to connect with you virtually continues to be a fun and rewarding experience. Check out a few recent highlights:
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Our Out-of-School Time program continues to connect with students and families by bringing Cooking Club online. Above, Kaitlin shows you how to make her favorite vegetarian chili. Find more kids and family activities on
our website
.
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Our virtual fitness classes continue to evolve and expand. We're currently hosting 12 live exercise classes per week, free and open to all, via Facebook Live and Zoom.
Find the schedule and details here
. Guided meditations and mindfulness exercises are also posted to the
WSY Wellness group
so you can keep your whole self healthy during these uncertain times.
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And new this week, our music instructors have begun getting back to teaching lessons - safely over video chat. Students who are interested in resuming or scheduling private music lessons, please reach out to
Amanda Pierce.
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With gratitude,
Jack Fucci
President and CEO
WEST SUBURBAN YMCA
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WEST SUBURBAN YMCA
| 276 Church Street, Newton, MA 02458
617-244-6050 | www.wsymca.org
Serving the communities of Newton, Watertown, Weston, Wellesley and Belmont
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