Today is #GivingTuesdayNow — a global day of giving and unity. The Y is joining communities around the world to come together as one — to give, to help, to thank, to heal.
We hope you and your family well, as we continue to face the challenges of this pandemic together.
As we shared with you last week, the Y became aware of older adults in dire need of meals and promptly sprang into action. As of this week, we are delivering 245 hot, freshly prepared meals a day. We are grateful to all of the individuals, organizations, and foundations who have already contributed to the Y at this time to ensure that we can provide the critical food our neighborhood seniors need to survive.
This generosity not only helps the Y feed older adults with dignity during this crisis, but it also helps provide desperately needed emergency services — access to food, cash assistance, emergency childcare, mental health counseling, guidance with benefit enrollment, and more — to hundreds of local families.
On #GivingTuesdayNow, instead of listing reasons to support the Y — for our ongoing services and for those we have provided since the onset of the coronavirus outbreak, we’d like to share with you what a handful of people are saying.
Thank you for taking care of us during this frightening situation. Our previous lives were thoroughly missing humanity, and you gave it back to us. — Holocaust Survivor, Emergency Meal Recipient
One of my children has severe difficulties, and I haven’t received unemployment. Thank you for listening to me and for taking the time to write me such a thoughtful message. I’ve gotten used to indifference, but the Y has given me hope. This [assistance] was kind beyond belief. My children and I so appreciate it. — Emergency Assistance Recipient
My daughter did not want to go home after the very first day at ECC. Thank you for making our urgent work easier, knowing she will have so much joy at the Y. — Emergency Childcare Center Parent
I want to share my gratitude for all of your ongoing hard work and dedication to support all of your children and families. You have worked hard to adapt to technology, differentiate instruction, create flexible learning opportunities for children and stay connected with your children and their families on a daily basis. — Coordinator, NYC Department of Education, Division of Early Childhood Education
Your telephone call is a godsend . . . an absolute lifesaver. — Isolated Elderly Center for Adults Living Well Member
I know how challenging this all is — I am so grateful that you have continued to offer online classes. [Our daughter] really enjoys them, and she enjoys seeing you and interacting with other kids. Thank you! — Be Me After-School Program Parent
Thank you so much for continuing to be a comfort and a conduit between us, and for so much wonderful programming for the kids during this crazy time. — Nursery School Parent
Thank you for the incredible job keeping this community together while we are apart! — Ukulele Shabbat Parent
Please extend our gratitude to everyone for making Sunday Funday work remotely. We are truly blessed to have this program in our neighborhood. Stay safe everyone! — Sunday Funday for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Parent
It was so great to see you and all of the families this morning! Thank you for all you are doing to try to make this time more joyful and comforting for all of us whose lives you touch. — Toddler Exploration Parent
We really enjoyed the challah bake! Thank you for such a fun event! — Bubbie’s Challah Bake Parent
These are just some of the messages we recently received, and it is a privilege to know how much we are making a difference in people’s lives during this crisis.
The Y has met the changing needs of our community for more than a century. Please consider making a gift to help ensure that we can continue to serve our Y family and our neighbors during the days ahead.
Thank you for joining us in caring for our community. We look forward to brighter days, so we can be together again. Stay healthy and safe.
