NORWICH – Midway through 2009, the Norwich Family YMCA Board of Directors approved the Unemployment Membership Program, based on its concern with unemployment on the local and national levels. Since then, the program has expanded to cover the families of the unemployed as well, providing short-term access to the YMCA at no cost.

“As an organization, we thought this was the right thing to do because unemployment affects the entire family, not just the person who is unemployed,” said Norwich Family YMCA Executive Director Jamey Mullen. “Now, if a Y member or a member of the community finds themselves unemployed, we can provide that membership to their children and spouse as well.”

In 2010, 69 families participated in the program, thanks to the YMCA’s successful application for Chenango United Way funding, said Mullen. Approximately $10,700 in complimentary memberships directly benefited over 200 individuals and the impact has been inspirational, he added.

According to Mullen, one participant said the program was instrumental in keeping a positive attitude and an excellent opportunity to seek out contacts for potential job openings. He added that the free membership allowed another participant’s daughter to go to camp while she was looking for work during the day.