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.
“During the months of unemployment, our lives are limited as to what we can afford to do,” said a third participant. “Having the membership was a positive way to spend quality, healthy time as a family and not feel like we couldn’t leave home.”
The program will again benefit from Chenango United Way funding this year and Mullen said he and the board of directors are grateful for that relationship. According to the United Way’s End of Year 2010 Program Outcome Report, the Unemployment Membership Program provided people with an opportunity to stay connected as a family; helped parents deal with the daily anxiety and stress associated with unemployment and gave them a chance to socialize, network and stay connected with friends, family and the community as a whole.
“Obviously, with resources available, we’ll be able to continue this program,” added Mullen. “This is a wonderful community program and, if it’s not being utilized, shame on us.”
Applications for the Unemployment Membership Program are available at the front desk of the YMCA, 68-70 North Broad St., or online at www.norwichymca.com. In addition, Mullen wished to remind people that – even if they don’t qualify for the program – there’s the Y’s Open Doors Scholarship Program, which also provides access to the facility and its programs to those in need. For more information, call 336-9622.