PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County YMCA is seeking new funding, saying the Port Townsend city manager warned that a 2012 city appropriation is unlikely and that its programs could be terminated if other financial sources aren’t found.
The loss of city funding endangers the Y’s programs, including child care and after-school activities, which may be discontinued after Dec. 31 if no additional funding isn’t developed, the YMCA said in a statement.
The YMCA in Port Townsend — a branch of the Olympic Peninsula YMCA, which has its headquarters in Port Angeles — is the only provider in town of after-school activities through the Y-Kids, as well as on-campus after-school sports and enrichment programs at Blue Heron Middle School and a mentorship program called Building Futures, said Erica Delma, strategic development director.
Services needed
“There are a lot of people in the community who need these services,” Delma said.
“Over the next few weeks, we will be approaching a lot of people in the community, both individually and in groups.”
Said Kyle Cronk, chief executive officer of the Olympic Peninsula YMCA: “We need to reach out to see if there is the support for our programs.
“To responsibly commit to continuing YMCA programs next year, we would need solid financial commitment by the end of the second week of November.
“Private support would be welcome.”
Delma hopes to address several civic groups with the goal of raising $128,000 — the amount the city of Port Townsend provided the organization in 2011.
The YMCA said City Manager David Timmons had told the advisory board and Cronk within the past month that “the city would likely terminate all financial support for the YMCA’s local activities, citing a very difficult budget outlook for the city.”
Reconsideration unlikely
Delma said she planned to go to the city during the next few weeks to see if there was any possibility for reconsideration, but Timmons said that was unlikely.
“We gave them a heads-up so they could come up with a strategy and a plan for alternate funding,” Timmons said Thursday.
“I don’t see how we would be able to give them anything because there are too many uncertainties right now.”
Carrie Ehrhardt, Jefferson County YMCA board chairwoman, said the organization wanted to give parents notice of the possibility of program eliminations.
“In consideration of the youth served by the Y, particularly those in licensed child care, we must allow parents and their children enough time to find alternatives to YMCA services prior to their termination,” Ehrhardt said in a statement.
The YMCA’s Blue Heron program began just this school year after the Port Townsend School District discontinued sports at the middle school.
“The Y responded by putting a staff member there to run programs,” Cronk said.
“In addition, we’re providing other opportunities,” he added.
“It’s almost like a Y is inside that school.”
The YMCA is looking at every possibility of closing the funding gap in order to continue to provide the necessary programs in the community, the agency said in its statement.
Delma said other possibilities include changing the YMCA to a membership model where families pay a yearly fee.
Delma also said the YMCA is waiting until its financial situation stabilizes before filling the position of executive director, which has been vacant since Jim Funaro resigned for another job in September.
The city has provided significant support to the Jefferson County YMCA for the past nine years, the agency noted.
“The YMCA is grateful for the ongoing support from the city,” the Y’s statement said.
“Everyone is trying incredibly hard to find a solution to this,” Cronk said.
For more information, or to donate, contact Delma at 360-385-5811 or erica@olympicpeninsulaymca.org.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
