Sacramento area YMCAs turn focus from fitness to child care amid coronavirus closures
The YMCA in the Sacramento region is turning some of its fitness centers into emergency child care sites, so medical staff and first responders have somewhere for their children as they respond to the coronavirus spread and an increasing number of COVID-19 cases.
The YMCA of Superior California, which encompasses Sacramento, Yolo County, Oroville, Gold Country and the Yuba-Sutter area, is canceling all its services except for child care. It is temporarily transforming its fitness centers, where possible, since there are a shortage of child care facilities available.
The YMCA of Superior California is suspending all health and wellness programs in accordance with state and local public health guidelines as authorities try to slow the coronavirus spread.
“We thank our facility members for their understanding during this unprecedented time, and we will communicate with you when we will re-open,” according to a news release from the YMCA of Superior California.
YMCA officials have contacted local hospitals and cities, so “medical staff and first responders have somewhere to turn to for child care during this crisis,” according to the news release. The YMCA is prioritizing “those essential employees” for child care.
Officials said these employees should have a safe place for their children as they care for a growing number of people during the COVID-19 outbreak. They said families who already receive child care services with YMCA of Superior California are the next priority for child care.
The YMCA of Superior California also is working on expanding its food program for children in need of healthy and nutritious meals during school closures, reaching out to its members who are 65 years old or older to help them and find solutions during the coronavirus emergency and creating at-home health and wellness program via apps, emails and videos.
YMCA officials asked its members to support their efforts through their continued payments so they can have a team of employees to continue “these life-changing and life-saving services,” according to the news release.
They also asked members to contact the YMCA of Superior California if they need to put a membership on hold or to defer a portion of child care payment.
These YMCA sites are offering emergency child care during the school closures during the coronavirus emergency. Call them for rates and space availability:
▪ Sacramento Central YMCA: Child Development Center at 2021 W Street in Sacramento. (916) 231-7288
▪ East Sac YMCA: 3600 J Street in Sacramento. (916) 737-0442
▪ Yolo County YMCA: 1300 College Street in Woodland. (530) 662-1086
▪ Oroville YMCA: 1684 Robinson Street in Oroville. (530) 533-9622
▪ Plumas Lake YMCA: Cobblestone Elementary at 1718 Churchill Way in Plumas Lake. (530) 933-9935
For more information online, visit ymcasuperiorcal.org/childcare2020.
