YMCA of Greater Charlotte Offers Free Childcare to Essential Healthcare Employees

The organization has also created an Emergency Staff Relief Fund for Y workers.

Essential Atrium and Novant healthcare employees now have access to free childcare assistance for kids ages 5-12 from the YMCA of Greater Charlotte.

The YMCA of Greater Charlotte, which has temporarily closed all 19 branches and two overnight camps due to the global coronavirus pandemic, is also partnering with Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) to provide breakfast and lunch to childcare participants through CMS Child Nutrition Services. 

The program will employ a group of qualified Y staff who have been unable to work due to branch closures. Extra precautions have been put in place to protect children and workers including health screenings in partnership with Public Health Nurses, limited adult access and low staff to child ratios to assist with required distancing

"We continue to serve our community and find ways to leverage and support staff when we can't do our 'normal work' at our traditional sites," says Todd Tibbits, president and CEO of YMCA of Greater Charlotte. "These efforts are proof positive of our ability to live out our mission during extraordinary times."

The Y has also launched an Emergency Staff Relief Fund to help furloughed team members, a majority of whom are part-time employees, with access to financial resources for essential needs including housing, medical care and transportation. 

For more information on the Emergency Staff Relief Fund, visit www.ymcacharlotte.org/mission/join-the-mission/make-a-financial-gift.