When the world suddenly changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our YMCA activities changed, too. In a matter of hours, we closed our pools, cancelled classes, and shut down our fitness facilities.  But during all those changes, we never ceased caring for our community. As a non-profit organization, our role is to identify needs in the community and find ways we can meet those needs. The pandemic gave us unprecedented opportunities to serve in new ways.  Our response would not have been possible without incredible members who stayed with us, families who trusted us and the private and corporate donations of many through our Annual Campaign.

Thank you for helping us to stay actively engaged in the mission work that is the foundation of all we do. Together, we brought hope into our community.

SHUTTING OUR DOORS DIDN’T STOP US

Never in our forty plus years of serving this community have we stopped providing programs. Shutting our doors during the pandemic meant people would be without their stress relieving, immunity building, and healthy focused workouts. We determined that wouldn’t happen and between March 17 and May 1 (the first 49 days of the shutdown), we published 36 brand new virtual classes.

“We didn’t want members to have to give up their usual workouts. Exercise is such a big stress relief and we wanted to provide them with options they could do from the safety and comfort of their own homes,” said Zach McCollum Executive Director of Programs.

Switching from in-person to online classes was a challenge but we made a variety of fitness options accessible online and members used them. Content ranged from yoga to body weight workouts, clogging to Zumba, Judo to basketball skills. When our yoga videos hit 1,000 views we knew we were offering a much needed solution.

We were also trying to take care of our active older adults even though we couldn’t see them in person either. Debbie Parshall, Otterbein Life Enrichment Center Director, created a series of Older Adult Wellness virtual classes focused on exercises specific for balance practice, seated cardio, arthritis, and people with Parkinson’s. “Members told us they used the videos and that is how they got through the shutdown,” said Parshall. She added, “These videos allowed us to do the Y’s mission even though our doors weren’t open.”

OFFERING A LIFELINE FOR SENIORS

Our Stolle Center seniors are a special group. They are vivacious, active seniors and they have built a close knit community. When our doors had to shut, many of them were immediately isolated and prevented from doing their daily check in at the Y. 

“I was heartbroken for them,” said Stolle Center Director Julie Fennessey. “They went from daily friendship time to being alone and so many were depressed and sad. I knew we had to do something.” 

“Something” quickly became many things. Julie started a phone-a-thon and with the help of other staff, they made hundreds of individual calls to our senior members. A lot of these people were really isolated because family wasn’t able to visit and the calls were a lifeline for many. 

Then throughout the year she delivered seasonal care packages. Easter boxes of candy, Christmas goodies, and even Valentines were delivered to our shut-ins and those who weren’t comfortable coming back to the Y when we opened. Julie kept up with calls and handwritten notes to help fight the isolation and depression so many seniors faced. “I just wanted them to know someone was thinking about them, “ she said. 

As seniors returned, and Julie started offering programs again - safely and always following CDC guidelines - members were elated to come back. When the card players wanted to return in the summer, she accommodated the seniors as much as possible by setting up the tables outdoors and providing water for all. Julie added, “They told me the Y was a lifeline and I’m just glad we were able to modify things so they could come and feel like life was a little bit normal.”

PROVIDING CARE WAS OUR PRIVILEGE

Countryside YMCA is one of the largest providers of childcare in Warren County and we are acutely aware of the need working families have for safe and reliable childcare. Before the pandemic hit Ohio, our five childcare locations cared for over 700 children daily. When we learned that Governor DeWine was shutting childcare centers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we immediately applied for emergency licensing to become Pandemic Childcare Centers.

“Our mission is to identify needs in our community and then step in to fill those needs when we can. As soon as we learned there would be a way to keep our childcare centers open to serve the essential workers, we immediately applied for the emergency licensing,“ said Chris Johnson, CEO.   

Some essential workers lost their regular childcare during the shutdown in Ohio, and they were relieved to learn that the Y could care for their children.  "My wife and I both work as first responders and when the Coronavirus pandemic began we were nervous about balancing our essential jobs and providing appropriate care for our two young children.  The staff at the Countryside YMCA was extremely responsive to us and made our transition into the new daycare setting seamless. We are extremely thankful the Countryside YMCA Children's Center was there in our time of need," said Andrew and Christina Grossenbaugh. 

During the shutdown the Y provided care to about 90 children. “Being able to give these families a safe, nurturing place for their kids to come each day was a real privilege,” said Jenny Poling, Executive Director of Youth and Family at the Y. 

YOUR DONATIONS BRING HOPE TO LIFE 

 As a non-profit organization (503C), our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that help build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The money given to our Annual Campaign through individual donations and corporate partnerships brings hope to so many in our community.

OUR IMPACT GROWS EVERY YEAR BECAUSE OF YOU

It’s not just the monetary donations that allow us to do all we do. Those people who are willing to give of their time and talents provide much of the sweat equity behind the scenes of our events and programs. Thank you; you inspire us. 

2020 Financials

Coming soon. 

Mission Statement

Our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

Countryside YMCA - one of the world’s largest YMCAs - is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the Warren County community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. For more than 40 years, Countryside YMCA has embodied the Christian principles that help people achieve a balance of spirit, mind and body. We work hard every day to ensure that all are welcome to experience the unmatched facilities, outreach, and varied programs available only at the Y.