PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County YMCA is heading into the summer with optimism about its people, programs and facilities.
“We are in the process of developing a stronger and more responsible leadership,” said Erica Delma, director of development and community engagement.
“We have ongoing programs in Jefferson County, and we are forging new partnerships.”
Delma’s enthusiasm partially originates from the capacity crowd expected at Saturday’s “Hats off to the Y” fundraiser, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Fort Worden Commons.
The event is currently sold out, but there are a limited number of $25 “dance and donate” tickets where attendees are admitted after the completion of the dinner and auction.
The annual event is the Jefferson YMCA’s biggest fundraiser. Delma hopes to raise about $100,000, which represents about 20 percent of its yearly budget.
The money raised will go toward support for Jefferson County programs, including licensed child care at Mountain View Commons, summer meals and activities, the Building Futures mentorship program and Backpacks for Kids.
The Jefferson County Y is a branch of the Olympic Peninsula YMCA, based in Port Angeles.
All money raised for the Jefferson County Y stays in Jefferson County, said office coordinator Christy Spencer.
Delma said staff improvements will help the Jefferson Y’s mission.
Jessica Wedmore is the new youth development director. A private grant will subsidize hiring a seasonal volunteer coordinator to manage more than 150 countywide volunteers.
Soon, the Y will post the job of Jefferson County YMCA director, with hopes to hire this summer, Spencer said.
Wedmore said the Spring Break Camp serves as a practice run for the summer program, which operates five days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from June 13 to Aug. 26.
The Spring Break Camp has drawn between 17 and 26 participants each day, Wedmore said. This week’s theme centers on science.
“They read a lot, they play games and they get meals,” Wedmore said.
“We offer a lot of things that are cut in the schools, like music, art and sports.”
The Y’s scope has grown, Delma said: It now serves about 1,000 children a year, compared to 100 four years ago.
Delma is focused on improving current programs but with an eye toward the construction of a new facility that is projected to open on the Mountain View complex in 2020.
The Y just spent $50,000 on a fundraising feasibility study, which concluded that community support would be available for a building that costs between $15 million and $18 million.
“If we built something that has everything that people want, it would fall within that range,” Delma said.
The money to build the facility will come from private donors, foundations and grants, she said.
After deciding on the Mountain View site, the Y raised $50,000 to fund the feasibility study. Results of that study were presented in February.
The next step is a capital campaign that will take 12 to 18 months to complete, the study said.
Delma is scheduling meetings with board members and advisers to set a fundraising goal and determine when the campaign should begin.
This effort is parallel to the day-to-day fundraising needed to keep programs going.
“We are not a membership program,” Delma said.
“All of our programs are funded by grants, community contributions, government programs and program fees.
“But we have a policy to never turn anybody away if they don’t have the ability to pay.”
For more information, go to www.jeffersoncountyymca.org or call 360-385-5811.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
Terry Ward, publisher of the Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum, serves on the Olympic Peninsula YMCA board of directors.
