Local YMCA responds to economic slowdown

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT FAMILY YMCA

************************** Sault Family YMCA announces “Strong Kids/Strong Families” program in response to challenging economic times

SAULT STE. MARIE - (April 3) - The Sault Family YMCA has developed a new program to help families deal with some of the challenges that arise when a father or mother are suddenly laid off due to the economic slowdown that is happening in our community.

The Strong Kids/Strong Families program will offer participants the opportunity to volunteer their time in exchange for a family membership.

For every week of time that is volunteered by an eligible participant, the family will earn one month’s worth of a family membership at the Sault Family YMCA.

In addition, families will have the opportunity to participate in “Family-Based Employment Planning” and “The Family in Business” workshops.

Chief Executive Officer Martin Wyant says that the Sault Family YMCA has been working on a response to the economic slowdown for the last few weeks.

“Every day, we see the difficult choices that families need to make once someone is laid off,” said Wyant. “During these difficult times, we want to make sure that families continue to have the opportunity to participate in healthy recreation, leisure and fitness programs and we believe that this new program can help.”

The Sault Family YMCA sees this as an opportunity to help families, while families help others in our community by helping to paint rooms, make minor repairs in the facility, and perform other work that simply cannot get done by existing staff members.

“We see the 'Strong Kids/Strong Families' program as a unique response to a difficult time in our community,” said Wyant. “We are hopeful that members of our local business community will become involved with us, by contributing some of the supplies and basic equipment we will need to complete the work that we will be undertaking. We need primer, paint, rollers, brushes, drop cloths, concrete patching, lumber, safety boots and glasses, work shirts and many more items.”

The Sault Family YMCA is also asking individuals and businesses to consider sponsoring a youth or family membership.

Businesses or individuals who wish to donate supplies or equipment, or sponsor a membership are asked to contact Brandy Sharp Young at 945-5178, ext. 228 or [email protected].

Wyant stresses that the “Strong Kids/Strong Families" program is not a work placement, nor is intended to replace an individual’s pursuit of employment.

Participants will be provided with 30 minutes per day of access to an onsite computer to help them research local job opportunities.

In addition, while they are volunteering for the YMCA, participants will be allowed to use the YMCA front desk telephone number as a contact point for any calls for interviews or work from employers.

Individuals, who are interested in learning more about how to participate in the “Strong Kids/Strong Families” program, can pick up more information, including registration forms, from the front desk at the Sault Family YMCA at 235 McNabb Street, or from the YMCA Employment and Community Services office in the Cambrian Mall. 

Registration forms will also be made available online, at www.sault.ymca.ca.

**************************