NORWICH – The Norwich Family YMCA is seeking the support of local residents as its annual support campaign – Reach Out to Your Community – continues to raise money to offset costs associated with its Open Doors Scholarship and Unemployment Membership Programs.

Going back ten years, the local Y handed out approximately $35,000 in scholarship money and financial assistance, funds which the organization absorbed through membership fees. When the move to its new facility took place, however, programs, services and requests for financial aid all increased, according to YMCA Executive Director Jamey Mullen. In 2009, the Y allocated over $82,000 in scholarships to local youths, teens, adults, families and senior citizens.

“That’s pretty amazing,” said Mullen, who said approximately one in four members of the YMCA took advantage of the program last year. In the first nine months of 2010, the organization’s Unemployment Membership Program has allocated over $8,700 to 162 individuals in membership subsidies.

In an attempt to aid the scholarship and unemployment programs the Y, in 2005, began its annual support campaign, which has successfully helped with the organization’s charitable efforts.

With nearly $67,000 raised to date, Mullen admitted the local Y has not matched last year’s total, and while the organization isn’t publishing an actual goal, Mullen added he and the Y staff are “always working to raise even one more dollar or help one more person in need.”