YMCA of the Triangle to start offering child care for essential workers

The YMCA of the Triangle, which suspended many of its programs on March 13 to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, will begin offering child care to essential workers.

On its website, the YMCA announced it was transforming some Y branches into YMCA Camp Hope for parents who need somebody to care for their children because they work in health care and law enforcement or at grocery stores and pharmacies and in other businesses that are considered essential now during the pandemic. With schools and many child care centers closed, some parents are struggling to find adequate care for their children while they work.

“We are so grateful to those who are serving us and our entire our community during these unprecedented times. That’s why we’re stepping up to support those working on our behalf,” said Doug McMillan, YMCA of the Triangle CEO, in the announcement. “We’re honored to do what we do best to help families across our region.”

According to the Y, the program will operate in compliance with local and state health department guidelines and will include recommended social distancing practices. No equipment will be passed from person to person, and there will be no large group interaction.

Children and staff also will be pre-screened daily, and the Y will be adding enhanced cleaning in its facilities.

“Since our inception in 1857, the Y has always been an organization that boldly walks toward challenging and pressing community needs,” said McMillan in the announcement. “Today is no different."