Navigating a public health crisis, our role as an inclusive organization within a burgeoning civil rights movement and an economic downturn is not how your Y expected to usher in summer 2020.
While nothing is how we imagined it, your support of and confidence in our revised programming has increased our determination to find new ways to positively impact our communities.
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Read about our initiatives and plans below, and know that your continued membership dues or donations, your kind words and your steadfast vision of an expanded YMCA is what keeps us inspired and reaching higher every day.
Thank you so much for being an
essential part of the Y family.
State Funding Forecast Will Not Derail New Y Project
The news that state lottery bonds, including $15 million to your Y, are in jeopardy is disappointing but not completely unexpected given the impact of COVID-19 on the economy.
"The Y is optimistic that the state will find solutions to fund the new facility, as well as the other projects, because the Legislature understands how transformative these projects are for their communities and they know they will be significant drivers to construction, which is then a significant part of the state's economic recovery," says CEO Brian Steffen.
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Last summer, the Oregon Legislature designated $15 million in state lottery bonds for the Eugene Family YMCA's Capital Campaign for a new Y.
Your Y has made significant progress toward our goal--- so much, in fact, that we have plans to break ground in spring 2021.
"Rest assured, a new Y will be built to continue our legacy of transforming the health, relationships and confidence of thousands of individuals in Lane County for generations to come," Steffen says.
PacificSource Gifts $200K to Your Y
PacificSource Health Plans has made a $200,000 commitment to support the new YMCA, expansion of youth development programs and financial assistance for families and individuals.
The non-for-profit community health plan designated $100,000 toward the new Y's Community Room and Teaching Kitchen, which will be named after PacificSource.
"We are honored to support the Eugene Family YMCA and the incredibly valuable work they do to support youth and families in our local community," says Ken Provencher, president and CEO of PacificSource.
Another $100,000 will be used to support programs specifically for youth as well as the YMCA's financial assistance services to ensure that financial constraints are not a barrier to access the Y.
"We are incredibly fortunate to have such a visionary partner in PacificSource," says Danielle Uhlhorn, Chief Development Officer for the Y. "PacificSource's naming of the Community Room and Teaching Kitchen is fitting for such a forward-thinking organization, whose mission aligns with the Y's."
Toward an Anti-Racist, Equity-Promoting Organization FOR ALL
As a hub of our community, your Y promises to welcome and include everyone regardless of race, religion, gender, sex, belief, age, size or culture.
Over the years, this work has taken many forms:
During the design of our future new Y, we worked with the alter-abled community to ensure that the new Y was accessible to all.
In 2019, we worked with TransPonder, a Eugene-based nonprofit, to be more intentional about creating a safe and inclusive experience for our friends with the LGBTQ community. Our training with TransPonder has helped us be more inclusive with our language and infrastructure within our facility.
Recently, the Oregon Alliance of YMCA CEOs joined in solidarity with Ys across the country to work toward a more just and inclusive future for all. We are committed to actions that promote inclusion and social responsibility and we pledge to advocate for concrete solutions which can make our world a more equal and inclusive place.
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Eugene Family YMCA as a Leader
in Diversity and Inclusion
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By turning our attention to the voices raised after the murder of George Floyd, we know that we have more work to do. Your Y is committed to the tireless work needed right now from an anti-racist, equity-promoting organization.
Our diversity and inclusion committee will ensure that all of our practices, policies, procedures and communications are viewed through the lens of diversity, inclusion and equity. This group will also inform our role in shining light on inequity and racism in our community. We'll share our progress.
Your Y's Phase 2 Increases Services, Keeps Safety a Top Priority
Your Y opened group fitness classes and lap lanes by reservation on Wednesday, July 1. Phase 2 also meant the opening of locker rooms and doubles tennis.
Longtime Y member Alex came back to the Y as soon as she saw the lap pool was open.
"Water is so healing and refreshing," she says. "I have a completely different mindset after I've been in the water."
Members surveyed after our Phase 1 reopening expressed confidence and praise for the level of safety and cleanliness within the facility.
"Our Y has done a fantastic job of making the facility safe for us to use. I felt well cared for with the precautions they have instituted," wrote one member.
Another said, "Because of the intense focus on maintaining cleanliness, I would say the Y is probably a safer place to be than the local grocery store."
Your Y's programs and services are regularly re-evaluated by program directors based on public health data and best practices. Safety is your Y's No. 1 priority. Take a look for yourself:
Phase 2 at your Y!
Aquatics Center Opens Hot Tub, Allows For Unlimited Lap Lane Reservations
Your Y knows that our hot tub is good for sore muscles, achy joints and relaxation after a stressful day! That's why Y staff worked hard to re-open the hot tub. Thank you for your patience as we created a system to maintain physical distance and put members' safety first.
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Sign up to take a 15-minute soak! Please note that hot tub users:
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Must be 15 or older
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Must shower before entering the hot tub
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Can only make 4 hot tub reservations per week
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Must
enter
the Pool Area through the door by the Family Changing Rooms (NO Pool Access from the Locker Room).
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Must bring their own towel. It can be stored on the chair next to the hot tub.
Members are welcome to reserve the hot tub 72 hours in advance. Reservations will open at 6 a.m.
Mask guidance for using the Hot Tub:
- Wear your mask to the Hot Tub
- Do NOT wear your mask in the Hot Tub
- Place your mask back on as soon as you exit the Hot Tub
- Reserve online. Once in your account, click on "Programs."
- In your Daxko App, select "Programs" and register for a Hot Tub Reservation
- Call your Y: 541.686.9622
- To cancel your reservation, e-mail membership@eugeneymca.org
As our pools have opened over the past week, we have re-evaluated our usage and for now, we are going to allow members to make reservations without any limits on the number of times per week.
Please know Y staff will be monitoring pool usage as we open our Lap Pool, and will adjust our reservation policy accordingly.
Please Note:
The Small pool is not available for use at this time.
High-intensity Group Exercise Moves Outdoors and to Zoom
Your Y's latest initiative for members to maintain fitness while also staying safe allows members to enjoy the beautiful sunshine!
Some high-intensity classes are moving outdoors (some will move to the Tennis Center and the rest will be available on Zoom). The new program launched with Saturday's Zumba class.
"Members understandably feel safer when breathing hard outdoors and physically distant from others," says Kim Miller, your Y's Health and Wellness Director. "We can easily accommodate that during our beautiful Oregon summer. Coronavirus has obviously brought significant unwelcome changes, and yet it has also given us the opportunity to recreate our programs."
For classes during the hotter times of the day, instructors will use the Y's spacious Tennis Center and the court closest to the open garage door! Check out Tuesday's afternoon schedule:
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Kim's 30-minute Core Workout at 4:45 p.m.
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Cintamani's 60-minute Flow Yoga at 5:30 p.m.
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Coy's 45-minute Full-Body Foam Roll & Stretch at 6:45 p.m.
"Thanks to everyone at the Eugene Family YMCA for your determination to make this work," says Y member Louise. "Super fun class this morning!"
Enhance®Fitness Creates Community Outside of Your Y
Longtime Y member Isabel credits Enhance®Fitness with her ability to remain socially connected even when your Y's doors were closed and she couldn't attend class regularly.
Enhance®Fitness participants have been meeting every week since the Y's closure in mid-March to walk, connect and support each other.
"It's my social charge similar to how the sun brightens the day," she says. "Enhance®Fitness has introduced me to a large social network, and we do what we can to remain close during these uncertain times."
Enhance®Fitness is a CDC-endorsed fitness program proven to increase cardiovascular health, muscle strength, bone density, mental sharpness, flexibility and balance for those dealing with arthritis, fibromyalgia and other chronic and acute conditions.
The class, typically offered 3 times a week, is more than just a place to regain health and wellness, Isabel says. "It's a community."
Youth Enjoy Your Y's Summer Care!
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There's still time to sign your kiddos up for an epic summer adventure through your Y! Youth Development staff make sure kids spend lots of time outdoors, staying physically active and engaged in brain games--- just like a typical summer. The difference is in the sanitization practices and the physical distancing. Kids have adapted to the new procedures and have fun all the same!
Our summer care programs currently have openings for all children 3 years old through entering 5th grade in the fall!
Grants Support Youth Development Programs
U.S. Bank Foundation and Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation awarded a combined $15,000 to support your Y's expansion of afterschool child care programs to underserved regions of Lane County.
"At U.S. Bank, we believe in powering the human potential," said Reed Jaksich, U.S. Bank Market President for Eugene. "By supporting the Eugene Family YMCA, we are doing just that for children and families in our community."
U.S. Bank Foundation's $10,000 grant and Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation's $5,000 grant allows for successful expansion into Title I schools in South Lane and Bethel school districts. Title I indicates a high number of low-income families.
Virtual Connections Important During Coronavirus
Y staff know the importance of social connections and, in this time of physical distancing, they are working hard to help members keep up with friends.
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Low-Impact Aerobics has always been a close-knit group, as this photo from 2019 reveals!
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Y instructors Kari and Colleen connect regularly over Zoom with Low-Impact aerobics members.
"It is fantastic to hear what folks are up to--- what is keeping them busy, occupied, happy, engaged and hopeful. We share smiles, stories and the feeling of "I miss you" with each other," Kari explains.
They plan to coordinate small social circle times together later in the summer with appropriate physical distancing and a bring-your-own-food-and-drink policy.
"And together, we discussed the importance of "radical acceptance" and the idea that what is going on right now is hard," Kari says. "It takes grit, stamina and also the realization that we do not have control, but we do have power over ourselves, our emotions, and our perspectives."
Thanks to You, Your Y Makes Top 3
in Reader's Choice
Categories
Thank you for nominating your Y for the Register Guard's Readers' Choice Awards. Your Y is a top three finalist for:
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Yoga Studio
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Swim Center
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Daycare
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Fitness Center
Winners will be announced in August, and we'll be sure to let you know the results!
Read all about it! YOUR Y IN THE NEWS
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BEST: New Cooperative Relationships Engaged in Creative Problem Solving
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As part of a
panel for the City Club of Eugene
, your Y's own Holly Kriz-Anderson, VP of Operations and Youth Development Director, explains how the Y pivoted its traditional afterschool program to respond to the global pandemic.
"For the 19 years that I've worked at the Y, I've witnessed the long-lasting relationships that our youth development staff have built with families. We know these families and their children and we do whatever we can to support and care for them," Holly explains.
"So when coronavirus closed our schools, we knew immediately that families would struggle. Not only would some of them lose their jobs or part of their income, but many of them would be required to work without the safety and assurance of having their kids in school.
That's where the Y focused its attention."
Your Y's Health and Wellness Director Kim Miller explains how your physical therapy equipment can be repurposed for a new world of fitness training even after your rehab is complete!
Your Y's preschool teacher Melissa Belnap prioritized social connection, emotional health and physical movement for her students while their parents worked essential jobs during COVID-19 shutdowns.
The community she created helped her students through the most difficult crisis of their young lives--- and brought them successfully to preschool graduation!
Danielle Uhlhorn, Chief Development Officer at The Eugene Family YMCA, says "It's really exciting because the Y has been here for so long and it has continued its mission because of the support of our community, we could not do the work that we do without the support of donors and local organizations supporting that work, so this allows us to keep that vision going for another 130 years."
The children stay within the same small groups all week, enabling the staff to work with them closely in a safe environment, said Vice President of Operations and Youth Development Director Holly Kriz-Anderson.
"If a kid needs a hug, we're going to give them their hug," she said.
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KEZI 9 News
showed viewers how your Y's Summer Care looks different but kids have fun all the same. The extra precautions include smaller group size, physical distancing and robust sanitization and handwashing practices.
"Everybody gets their own kiddie pool when we bring out the pools for them to sunbathe in. We have sprinklers for them to play in where they, you know, have to do their best to practice that physical distance, but the sprinklers are going wild for them so they're still having a blast," said Maritza Ruiz, multi-site coordinator for youth development with the Y.
"When you look at the larger picture, it is the right thing to do."
The Register-Guard
highlighted $15,000 from U.S. Bank Foundation and Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation grants to support your Y's Youth Development afterschool expansion.
"High-quality child care programs in rural areas are vital to strengthening the social fabric of our communities," said Carma Mornarich, executive director of Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation.
U.S. Bank Foundation and Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation's grants of $10,000 and $5,000, respectively, will allow for
expansion in school districts that serve significant numbers of low income families.
"We are so grateful to U.S. Bank Foundation and Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation for recognizing that the Y's child care fills a critical need for families," said Danielle Uhlhorn, the Eugene Family YMCA chief development officer.
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Your Y's CEO Brian Steffen quoted in The Register-Guard:
"We know that our community needs the YMCA to significantly expand its impact," Steffen said. "We are fully committed to this. We are going to keep moving forward."
He said the Eugene Family YMCA will keep working with the state to collect its funding. He said state legislators are "very supportive" of building the new facility.
"Statutorily, there's new steps we'll need to walk through," Steffen said. "We might have to go back for funding again during the next legislative session."
He said a delay in getting payments from bond sales would not delay the project, but might require the Eugene Family YMCA get construction financing in the meantime.
