Today’s Monday Mission Update is dedicated to every single Y associate across central Maryland. While the past six and a half months have been an unending challenge, Y associates have displayed unique agility in quickly identifying changing needs and working swiftly to address them. An abbreviated snapshot of the impact Y associates have had on our community only begins to scratch the surface of what has occurred:
- Recognizing dramatic increases in food insecurity, Y associates leveraged our partnerships and network of over 100 Y program sites for an unprecedented food distribution effort across the region (over 300,000 pounds of food dispersed to those most in need);
- Seeing the emergency need of providing enriching care for the children of first-responders called to serve, Y associates launched 15 sites in record time and successfully reopened five of our six preschools;
- Never ones to let grass grow under their feet, Y associates then pivoted from spring to summer to provide yet another camp season of healthy, safe fun for thousands of children and youth across the region;
- As summer turned to fall, Y associates then turned around and built a network of more than 25 Y Academic Support Centers to help students successfully navigate the challenges of virtual learning;
- Knowing full well that young people need extra support to cope in an uncertain time, Y associates delivered a summer workforce development program for more than 100 students who experience homelessness, and continued to support more than 600 Y mentoring matches;
- Understanding the critical importance of consistent, high quality early childhood education and family support as a foundation for success in life, Y associates found innovative ways to keep Y Head Start families and children connected and learning with a veritable army of Y Head Start teachers turning their living rooms into learning command centers;
- Knowing that exercise and a sense of belonging are vital to physical and mental health, Y associates safely re-opened our Y family centers, rolling out a wide range of programming and services;
- And all this (and more) happened with the backing of a team of Y Customer Service, IT, Marketing, Finance, Development and HR associates who share the same degree of passion and commitment to the work of building healthy, strong communities, for a better us.
While we have many more challenges ahead (some of which we undoubtedly can’t foresee today), I know that our most important asset in facing those challenges is the army of Y associates who never cease to amaze and deliver despite all of the stress and uncertainly. Sadly, there are fewer Y associates today than there were in March, but I know that together we can continue to do big things and make this community a better place through it all.
Of course, our community is noticing. Take a look at a few recent social media posts:
Joy, September 2020
"Our 3rd and 1st grade students @ LinthicumES are ready to learn! Big thanks to Y@CentralMD for opening academic support centers to assist working parents!"
Jessica, August 2020
"Our family really appreciates all that the Towson Y team, especially the cleaning crews, have done these past few months to make the Y feel safe during the Covid pandemic. Everyone’s always been friendly and kind there, but the extra work they’ve gone through to make the Y available has been such a gift for our physical and mental health. We’ve really enjoyed trying the outdoor fitness and yoga classes, which my ’Covid-semester-at-home’ daughter introduced us to. Thank you so much to everyone working at the Orokawa Y!"
June, September 2020
"The focus, philosophy, and programs of the Y are based on providing individuals and families with healthy, positive and fun programs and activities—so, so appreciated in this culture and life-style. Belonging to the Y can definitely be a life-changer. Thank you for being an inspirational light!"
Thanks to all of the Y’s associates for being an inspirational light indeed. I appreciate all of you and a grateful community does as well.
All the best,
John
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland