Weekly Update from the CEO
May 01, 2020Can you believe it's May already? We're hopeful this month will bring with it some sunshine, warmer weather, and perhaps the early stages of reopening our Y.
Looking Toward Reopening - We Want Your Input!
Governor Baker announced this week that the state has extended the closure of nonessential businesses through May 18. Facemasks are now mandatory in public. We're hard at work in anticipation of the day we welcome you back to the building.
We have created a task force that will lead our reopening strategy and planning. While much depends on the guidelines set forth by the CDC, and our state and local government, please know that our highest priority is the safety and health of our staff and our members.
We would like to know your thoughts and comfort level as we prepare the Y to reopen. Please be on the lookout for a request to complete an informational survey in the near future. The results will help inform our task force as they prepare new operating guidelines.
The Y will likely look and feel very different in the early stages of our reopening. We all are eager to get back to normal and ask that everyone prepare to extend a little extra patience, kindness, and courtesy to one another!
Thank You to First Responders, Healthcare Workers, and Essential Workers
This week we joined many other organizations in lighting our building blue in honor of the frontline workers who are leading us through this pandemic. We want to take a moment to specifically recognize our Y's own Phil Wong, our CPR and First Aid Training Coordinator. Phil has been an EMT for the City of Boston for 39 years, and we're so grateful for his dedication to helping people. He has literally trained thousands of youth and adults in CPR and first aid. Thank you, Phil, and thank you to all the essential workers on the frontlines of this crisis.
Another Feel-Good Birthday Bash
The past few weeks have shown there are so many new and creative ways we can celebrate together even when we're apart. Our daily Y Zoom meeting on Thursday turned into a surprise birthday party for board member Janice Rogers (bottom right corner in the above photo)! It was a wonderful way to start the day with smiles all around. Happy birthday, Janice!
Remembering Y Members and Friends We've Lost This Year and During Our Closure
We are saddened to learn of the passing of several members of our Y community.
We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those we've lost.
Giving Tuesday Now
Lastly, I'd like to call attention to #GivingTuesdayNow. #GivingTuesdayNow is a worldwide day of giving taking place Tuesday, May 5, 2020, created in response to the global implications of COVID-19.
We invite you to take part by supporting the West Suburban YMCA's Y For Good Fund, which was established to address our community's most pressing needs during the current public health crisis. If you'd like to take part, you don't need to wait until Tuesday to give. Click the button below or visit our social media pages on May 5th.
Thank you again for your support. Please be in touch and remember that although you maybe away from our building you are not away from our thoughts.
With gratitude,
Jack Fucci
President and CEO
WEST SUBURBAN YMCA