The Keene Family Ymca stands as a cornerstone in our community, dedicated to identifying and proactively addressing the evolving needs of our residents. This commitment has been especially crucial in recent times, as we navigate the ongoing challenges presented by the pandemic.
We are immensely proud of our dedicated YMCA team. From childcare experts and enthusiastic camp counselors to wellness directors, fitness coaches, committed volunteers, and generous supporters, each member plays a vital role. Together, we are passionately working to restore hope and stability to the lives of individuals, children, and families who rely on the Y as a source of consistent support and diverse opportunities.
Our Membership for All program, generously funded by donations, is a testament to our inclusive ethos. It ensures that a wide spectrum of individuals can benefit from YMCA membership. This program opens doors to essential services like quality childcare and provides access to a variety of programs and services through vital subsidies and scholarships. We are deeply committed to serving the entire community, ensuring financial assistance is available and tailored to meet the unique needs of each applicant.
Every day, we strive to embody our mission with genuine purpose. We are dedicated to modeling kindness and inclusivity in all our interactions, remaining steadfast in our principles of service and community engagement.
In recent times, the Keene Family YMCA has launched and sustained several key programs and initiatives specifically designed to bolster our community’s well-being. These include:
Emergency Child Care Services
Recognizing the critical need for childcare during the pandemic, the Y stepped up to provide over 1,500 hours of emergency childcare. This essential service was delivered across three of our licensed YMCA locations, offering a safe and nurturing environment for children during uncertain times.
Vital Blood Drives
Understanding the constant demand for blood donations, we organized multiple blood drives. These efforts resulted in the collection of hundreds of pints of blood, making a significant impact on local healthcare. It’s a powerful reminder that a single pint of donated blood has the potential to save as many as three lives.
Engaging Virtual Programming
To ensure our community remained active and connected, even when physical gatherings were limited, we transitioned to virtual platforms. The Keene Family YMCA offered hundreds of hours of virtual exercise classes and engaging youth and family activities, all accessible to the public. We invite you to join our Facebook Group Exercise page through our main Facebook page to explore these ongoing virtual offerings.
Dedicated Volunteers
The heart of the Keene Family YMCA beats strongly thanks to the selfless contributions of dozens of volunteers. These individuals dedicate hundreds of service hours annually, directly supporting the Y’s core mission of strengthening the community. Their efforts are indispensable; we simply could not achieve our goals without their unwavering support. Our volunteers consistently contribute over 300 hours each month, showcasing their profound commitment.
Mental Health and Wellness Resources
Recognizing the increased stress and anxiety within our community, particularly among young people, we provided crucial mental health support services. Over 1,000 families and youth benefited from programs designed to prevent youth substance use, foster resilience, and effectively manage stress and anxiety.
Health and Wellness Support for Seniors
We placed a special emphasis on supporting our senior community members, who faced unique challenges during the pandemic. Our outreach included regular wellness checks to ensure their well-being and providing essential shopping assistance to help them access necessities safely.
Joyful Community Celebrations
To bring moments of joy and connection, we organized drive-by birthday parades, with a special focus on celebrating both youths and seniors. These events were a heartwarming way to maintain community spirit and celebrate milestones during periods of isolation.
Community Support in Crisis
Demonstrating our adaptability and community commitment, the Keene Family YMCA served as a back-up bed location for patients recovering from COVID-19. This ensured that essential healthcare resources were available when and where they were most needed.
Academic Support & Enrichment Program (ASE)
The Academic Support & Enrichment Program (ASE) is a unique initiative developed to alleviate the burdens faced by parents, teachers, and students during the pandemic-related disruptions to education. In many cases, ASE enabled parents, including teachers themselves, to continue working while ensuring their children received crucial support with remote learning. The program provided children from kindergarten through Grade 5 with assistance in completing remote learning assignments, complemented by enriching activities such as Claymation and Robotics. Students also engaged in sports, group games, creative arts, and social-emotional learning, all within a framework of strict safety guidelines.
Dan Smith, CEO of the Keene Family YMCA, emphasized the significant and immediate impact of the pandemic on school-aged childcare, both locally and nationally. He recognized that navigating this crisis and facilitating recovery required a strong, collaborative team of program staff and providers.
“I continue to be deeply inspired by the goodwill of our community’s institutions and their proactive eagerness to provide financial assistance to address emerging needs within our community,” Smith stated. “Our children are demonstrably stronger and more resilient because our community genuinely cares.” The ASE program and other vital initiatives were made possible by the generous response of donors, with Savings Bank of Walpole and Fenton Family Dealerships playing a leading role in providing crucial financial support.
