Soundview Family YMCA Continues to Support Our Community
Now more than ever, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Soundview Family Y, a branch of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, is committed to serving our community. As needs grow, the Y continues to adapt new strategies to support our families and youth, ensure the safety and well-being of our older adults, and connect those in our community.
"Now more than ever, I am proud to be a part of an organization and a community full of helpers. I grew up watching Mr. Rogers and love his message about looking for the helpers during dark or scary times. We are learning how to be a virtual Y and help our members from beyond the four walls of our building," said Matt LaPrino, Executive Director at the Soundview Family Y. "While the Y is closed, we
are still here to serve our community!"
Residents in the shoreline communities of East Haven, Branford, North Branford, Guilford, Madison and beyond are encouraged visit our web site soundviewymca.org for free on-line classes, fitness tips and virtual exercise classes. There is something for every age and every fitness level from youth to Active Older Adults.
For families, there are supplemental educational ideas, STEAM activity suggestions and videos of our Y leaders reading books and doing arts & crafts. Lynn Wheeler, Soundview Family Y Youth & Family Director teaches how to make origami animals in several segments.
To help maintain routines, several fun fitness challenges are available. And to engage families, you'll find entertaining games like Bingo and ABC Planks. Additionally, we are dedicated to work in line with our school boards and provide as much distance learning as we can for our preschoolers and our afterschool families.
Additional connections are being made through our social networks and on-line programming such as Facebook, Twitter and video-conferencing calls. (Follow us on Facebook and Twitter). The Soundview Family Y is connecting daily with our members through email, phone calls and even meet ups while practicing social distancing.
To help foster community and to show our commitment to the communities we serve – especially during the Covid-19 Pandemic; the Y and the Ben Callahan Sports & Fitness Complex (BC2) have come together with community partners – the Branford Rotary, Bishop's Orchard and the Marketplace of Guilford to help maintain the health and wellness of our seniors, first responders and medical professionals in our area. 'Operation Compassion' provides the free delivery of healthy, fresh groceries purchased from Bishop's Orchards and the Marketplace of Guilford to seniors, first responders and medical professionals in our service area. Operation Compassion allows our seniors to be safe at home and our professional heroes to remain healthy and strong while serving us.
The Soundview Family Y is running a food donation program "Stuff A Bus" every Tuesday, May 5 - June 2, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. to help the shoreline community food banks. Drop off your non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies and household staples at the Y. All members of the community can participate and give back what they can to those that are suffering during the health crisis. Each week all of the donated goods will be delivered to one of our local food pantries in East Haven, Branford, North Branford, Guilford and Madison.
How can you help? If you are Y member, please keep your membership active. Our facilities may be temporarily closed but our virtual programming increases weekly. You can also help us best respond and serve the greatest needs in our community during this challenging time by donating to the Soundview Family Y Covid-19 Relief Fund.
The Soundview Family Y Annual Campaign provides over $185,000 of financial assistance per year so that others can enjoy the Y. If you are a donor, please continue your valuable support.
"The Y is here! And the Y will reopen when Governor Lamont, our town officials and community partners say it is safe," said LaPrino. "We are here to serve."
To stay current on all the Y is offering, please consider signing up for our digital newsletter, visit soundviewymca.org call 203 481 9622.