Weekly Update from the CEO

May 15, 2020

Thank you to all who filled out our Reopening Survey in response to last week's email. We've received over 1,000 responses to the survey so far, with more coming in each day. We are grateful for your thoughtful responses and considerations, and look forward to taking a deeper look once we close the survey on the evening of Sunday, May 17th. The survey results will be used with other information to inform our Reopening Advisory Task Force. Please take a moment to fill it out before Sunday evening if you have not done so already. Tell Us Your Thoughts >>>

Some Feel-Good Moments from This Week

In keeping with the spirit of last week's Y Good News, we'd like to share a few feel-good moments from this past week. We're still delivering hundreds of groceries each week for the Newton Food Pantry, and this Wednesday was quite possibly record-breaking in the number of grocery bags we loaded into our van!

We've also stepped in to help with a number of projects organized by Newton Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NNHN), a grassroots movement of thoughtful individuals making a difference in the Newton community. NNHN has been supporting about 30 local families (consisting of roughly 125 total individuals) who are dealing with food insecurity. This week the Y assisted with Grab N Go grocery deliveries to 16 Newton households, and before that we helped pick up a bulk food order for the Arabic Baptist Church Food Pantry, consisting of two months worth of food distribution for the pantry that was funded by $2,000 of donations from NNHN members. The power of community is truly at work in Newton!

Lastly, on Wednesday we celebrated another special birthday. Tumaini, one of our preschool students, turned 4 years old, and we brought a party to her! It is such a joy making these socially distant visits to our Y youth, and we're looking forward to the day we can see them in our building again.

View the highlight video here.

May is National Water Safety Month

Even in the midst of a pandemic, parents and children need to remember to be water aware as we move into the summer months. May is National Water Safety Month, and today is International Water Safety Day. Take a moment to read this mission moment from our Aquatics Director, Amanda Pierce:

This past week I received a message from Dennis, a Y parent, regarding a water safety emergency that occurred while on a bike ride. He and his daughter, Elexis, shared their story.

“Swimming rescues came to the rescue! My 5 year old daughter and I were on an adventure riding our bikes around the lake. She lost control of her bike and ended up in the lake, along with her bike..." Continue Reading >>>

West Suburban YMCA Receives Grant from the Boston Foundation

We are excited to share that we have been selected by The Boston Foundation to receive a $25,000 from their COVID-19 Response Fund. This grant will support our efforts to serve the most vulnerable members of our community who are affected by the COVID-10 crisis. The Boston Foundation has distributed nearly $4 million through this initiative; we are thrilled to be included among so many other nonprofits doing critical work in the community. Read the Press Release >>>

Newton Rotary "Front Steps Project"

The Presti Group, in collaboration with the Newton Rotary, is offering a great incentive to help local community organizations. For a limited time, you can select the West Suburban YMCA as your charity of choice when donating through the Newton Rotary, and a representative from the Presti Group will contact you to set up a "Front Steps Project" photoshoot. It's a great way to give back to the community while also gaining a meaningful family memento. Learn About the "Front Steps Project" >>>

With gratitude,

Jack Fucci

President and CEO

WEST SUBURBAN YMCA

P.S. In case you missed it, check out our Y Good News video to celebrate the good happening all around us in Newton and catch a glimpse of a young John Krasinski!