United Way Suncoast has granted the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA a $50,000 gift, to help ensure working families in Tampa Bay have access to child care.
The emergency funds are part of a more than $1.2 million in COVID-19 emergency assistance from the United Way Suncoast’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund being distributed to human services agencies across the Suncoast to support housing/shelter, food, child care, financial stability and mental health services, according to a news release.
“Schools play such a vital role in keeping kids safe, engaged and nourished. While school’s out, there is a huge gap in the community to provide those services,” Matt Mitchell, Tampa YMCA president and CEO, said in the release.
“Thanks to the generous support of United Way Suncoast, the Y can provide a safe and nurturing environment for the children of first responders, health care professionals and other essential workers who play important roles keeping us safe and healthy. This generous gift helps the Y serve these critical needs at a very nominal fee for these individuals who are risking a lot. We want to make sure, at least in this part of their life, they can have some normalcy and not have any worry. At this crucial moment, when our communities need us more than ever, we appreciate the continued support of community partners, like United Way Suncoast,” Mitchell said.
The Tampa YMCA will use the funds to offer all-day youth relief care at 11 centers, for families who must continue to work during the COVID-19 crisis while their kids are out of school. The Y’s youth relief care program provides academic support and structure to help children maintain their learning while also enjoying enriching activities.
Published May 13, 2020
