PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County Family YMCA plans a community meeting Thursday tell the public about its programs while listening to people talk about what they need and expect from a recreational organization,
“We’ve been getting a lot of feedback about where we should be going,” said Jim Funaro, the newly hired program executive director of the YMCA at Mountain View Commons, which is a branch of the Clallam County Family YMCA.
“We need to reassure people that we are still here, and we will continue to serve recreational needs,” Funaro added.
The meeting will be from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m, in the Mountain View Commons, 1919 Blaine St., Port Townsend.
The meeting will be moderated by Fred Obee, general manager of The Leader, a weekly newspaper.
“We want to have a free flow of information and think that having a moderator is the best way to accomplish this,” Funaro said.
One of the most important messages the YMCA officials want to communicate is that it will serve local needs.
“Any money we raise will stay in Jefferson County,” Funaro said.
“Funds donated to Jefferson County will not go to support Clallam County programs.”
The difference between the offerings in the two counties is that Clallam County’s YMCA “is mostly a gym program” while the Jefferson County YMCA offers services such as day care and a partnership with the Expedition Program, Funaro said.
The Jefferson County YMCA is not a membership program and supports itself through service fees and allocations from the city of Port Townsend, which allocated about $140,000 in 2010.
Next year’s budget has not been determined, but Funaro expects to request at least that amount from the city.
The YMCA may be competing with a newly established recreational organization called the Community Art and Recreation Alliance — or CARA — although representatives of both organizations say that programs will be complementary rather than competitive.
“We are really focused on providing service for the county,” Funaro said.
“This meeting will help us to clarify our mission.”
The YMCA includes classrooms, meeting rooms, a cafeteria, kitchen, gym and playground/sports field.
It offers afterschool child care and swimming, as well as classes in tennis, various crafts, fitness and an orchestra.
For more information, phone 360-385-5811 or see www.jeffymca.org.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
