During this critical time for our communities, CHNA 20 has stayed in touch with our many partner agencies to provide support, guidance and a listening ear. We are inspired by the incredible work that has been done in our region to shift traditional models and provide needed services to residents despite the challenges of the pandemic. We’re pleased to highlight some of the efforts of our partners and friends, and to share their stories of success, hope and inspiration.
Throughout the height of the pandemic, the South Shore YMCA became an extension of other community agencies to help stretch capacity and provide resources to those in need. Although their facilities were closed to the public until early July, they were able to utilize the buildings in other ways to help fill critical service gaps.
One such collaboration was with Father Bill’s and Mainspring, whose capacity to accommodate shelter guests was challenged by social distancing requirements. The Y opened its doors, using the turf field and gymnasium to house female and male shelter guests while also making locker rooms and lobby space available for their needs. As John Yazwinski of Father Bill’s says in this Patriot Ledger article, “We knew right away that the ability to keep people 6 feet apart, per CDC guidelines, was going to be extremely tough...we also don’t want to not have a place for people to go.” The Y’s ability to step in and provide space for 50 guests a night was a wonderful example of the importance of community collaborations to solving public health and safety issues -- especially during the COVID-19 crisis.
In addition to stepping up and providing space for shelter guests in need, the South Shore YMCA also provided emergency food assistance and child care while its doors were closed due to COVID-19. Operating a food pantry at its Germantown Center, YMCA staff passed out close to 20,000 pounds of food per week on Wednesdays and Fridays, provided by the Greater Boston Food Bank and Trader Joe’s in Hingham. “It’s been such a collaborative effort,” says Katelyn Szafir, Associate Executive Director/Medical Wellness Director for the South Shore YMCA – Emilson Branch. She says YMCA staff stepped up to pick up food, unload vans, prep bags for distribution, and get the food out to nearly 1,000 clients a week at the food pantry. They have also been providing emergency child care, free of cost, to front-line workers at two of their Early Learning Centers -- all while preparing for their own return to member operations.
“On top of meeting immediate needs, staff have been preparing for reopening,” Szafir says. “The team has put a lot of thought into reopening to ensure the safety of all members and staff. Physical distancing will be maintained, and most likely even expanded.” She adds, “We have to meet people where they’re at...no one has ever gone through this before, but we’ve been interacting with the public throughout our emergency relief services without incident, and we are taking this experience to our opening. We have to adapt, and we are ready.”
Among the South Shore YMCA’s adaptations has been a continued effort to connect with all members, especially isolated seniors. Szafir says the Y has conducted wellness check-ins virtually with all members, while also providing as many virtual class options as possible to allow people to continue engaging with health and fitness programming during social distancing. While not everyone has taken advantage of the online programs, Szafir reports that they’ve gotten good feedback about the effort and hope to continue to provide options that work for as many members as possible even after returning to in-person operations.
As for the future of the South Shore YMCA and its staff, “It will be all hands on deck and we’ll have broader roles than before. We just have to get our feet back under us.”
Update: Reopening With Care
On July 6th the South Shore YMCA was able to reopen its doors, providing a safe and welcoming environment for current members and day camp attendees. Changes to the space promote healthy physical distancing, there is ample access to hand sanitizer, and all locations and equipment are disinfected throughout the day. For more reopening FAQs and what you to expect when you return, visit their website.
Do you have a success story to share about how your organization has risen to meet the challenges of COVID-19 in the Greater Quincy Metro area? Contact us!