PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County YMCA has raised about one-third of its goal of $43,500 in its March fundraising campaign dedicated to supporting essential services.
The program executive director for the YMCA at Mountain View Commons at 1919 Blaine St. feels the goal will be reached by the end of the month.
“I’m confident that we will reach our goal and the community will provide continued support to the programs,” said Erica Delma.
As of Wednesday, slightly more than $14,000 in pledges had been raised during the monthlong campaign that began March 1, Delma said.
During the campaign, called the Power of Community, YMCA officials are approaching supporters for donations and asking for pledges in presentations to service clubs.
The campaign is expected to fund such primary services as a child-care program that Delma calls “the only licensed child-care facility for school-aged kids in Port Townsend.”
“This is an essential service for the community,” she said.
“Providing child care for working parents allows them to keep their jobs.”
Subsidized program
The subsidized program provides child care for about 30 families, many of whom qualify for financial assistance each week both from the Y and the state.
The program operates after school, expanding to all-day hours during the summer months.
Delma said the YMCA is committed to operating the program.
“But if we don’t reach our goal, we will need to decide what will go and what will stay,” she said.
If the funding goal is not reached, the YMCA board and staff will have to evaluate what to trim.
The YMCA offers financial assistance for all of its programs, Delma said.
“The strength of the Y is that everyone can play,” Delma said.
“We never want to turn anyone away for the inability to pay.”
Building Futures
Another high-visibility YMCA program is Building Futures, a school-based mentoring program that matches elementary and middle school kids with stable adult mentors.
Mentors, called Builders, meet with their charges one hour a week on school grounds or at YMCA child-care sites for a minimum of one year.
The program coordinator is Kim Hammers, who was a 2011 nominee for Jefferson County Citizen of the Year.
All funds raised during the campaign for the Jefferson County YMCA, which is a branch of the Olympic Peninsula YMCA based in Port Angeles, will support services provided by the facility in Port Townsend.
Funds stay in county
“Funds raised in Jefferson County stay in Jefferson County to support Jefferson County programs,” Delma said.
During the fundraising campaign, contributors are asked to pledge the amount they can afford and make payments.
“You can make pledges during the campaign, and the money can come in throughout the year,” Delma said.
“A lot of people can’t afford to pay the amount they want to contribute all at once, so they are making monthly payments,” Delma said.
“We are flexible.”
Mentors, volunteers
Aside from the pledges, the other currency Delma is soliciting are the time and commitment of members of the community.
“We are always looking for mentors and volunteers” who contribute in teaching classes or in other ways, she said.
“There is a huge range of skills we would be able to utilize, from art to music to sports,” Delma added.
“We could also use help with office work and clerical support.”
Contributions or pledge promises can be sent to P.O. Box 1637, Port Townsend, WA 98368.
For more information about the YMCA and its programs, including classes, phone 360-385-5811, visit www.jeffersoncountyymca.org or email 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.
