BI G G E R FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT® FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY WE’RE BUILDING THAN A 2020 Impact Report YMCA OF GREATER INDIANAPOLIS BI G G E R WE’RE BUILDING THAN A 2020 Impact Report YMCA OF GREATER INDIANAPOLIS2 Dear YMCA Friends, To say that 2020 was an unprecedented year is an understatement. As a world, we faced one of the worst pandemics ever recorded. As a country, we experienced social unrest, political division and economic volatility. As an organization, the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis experienced the shutdown of our membership operations for almost 10 weeks, leading to a rapid decline in membership. As a result, we implemented new operating procedures and had to reduce staff numbers to accommodate the loss of revenue. No one could have predicted what 2020 would deliver. But, the good news is the mission of the YMCA was still on full display. With the help and perseverance of many, we responded and reminded ourselves that we and our work are so much bigger than a building, because although our buildings were closed for a time, the Y was very much open and responding to the needs of our community. In this report, we’ll look at the many ways we turned the experience of COVID-19 into opportunities to live out our mission to serve others through services like essential childcare, blood drives, meal assistance programs, food distribution initiatives and wellness calls to 18,500 senior citizens. Despite the bumpy, rollercoaster ride of COVID-19, the fourth quarter of 2020 brought promises of a less turbulent transition to 2021 with a rebirth of new memberships, expanded program opportunities and receipt of the largest single donation in the history of our association from philanthropist, MacKenzie Scott. 2020 was certainly a challenge, but we believe our comeback will be bigger than our setback and could not be more optimistic about our ability to do bigger work in Central Indiana. Thank you for your tremendous support and dedication. None of this work would be possible without you and we look forward to doing so much more. Tom Denari Board Chair, YMCA of Greater Indianapolis Derrick Stewart President & CEO, YMCA of Greater Indianapolis FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT® FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY3 ADAPTING IN THE YEAR OF COVID 2020 started as a normal year, but by March, everything changed. The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis leadership team made rapid adjustments to determine how we would best move forward in response to the coronavirus pandemic and prove we were bigger than a building. Thanks to the Community COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, including over $1.4 million in monetary support, the Y undertook some of the actions listed on the following pages that were most critical for getting us back on track.45 • Funding helped retain full-time staff across the association and provide childcare for essential workers at subsidized rates • Reimbursed costs for masks, misters, decals, sanitizers and plexiglass screens • Trainedandcertifiedlow-incomeMarionCountyresidentswho lost jobs due to COVID-19 • Supported preschool scholarships for low-income healthcare employees and Before & After School support in Hamilton County • Provided support for Flat Rock River YMCA Camp, Social Responsibility & Community Impact, and Youth Development programs In addition to the external support that was integral to our recovery, internal committees played a critical role in making sure resources wereefficientlyusedforoptimalimpact. • In early March, our Y established the Emergency Response Team (ERT) of cross-functional leaders to respond to the immediate crisis, support our community and staff, and develop a phased reopening plan informed by the CDC and in accordance with state and local guidelines. The ERT engaged Center and program leaders, the Board of Directors and Committees of the Board during the planning process. This team continued to provide knowledge, guidance and critical thinking throughout our reopening. • Virtual programming was introduced, and processes and training were established to assist staff with helping members choose to stay with us during our closure. Communication was critical during this time, and included Center signage, newsletters for members and for staff, social and traditional media campaigns, and press highlighting the Y’s outreach and community impact. • In August of 2020, the Recovery Team was established to carry the work of the ERT forward, leveraging lessons learned and focusing on reengaging members, program participants and donors. In addition, the team was charged with reenergizing staff, reintroducing programs and reviewing progress by adopting and monitoring performance metrics, all while responding to a constantly changing environment. To put Christian principles into practice spirit,mind and bodyfor all. O U R M I S S I O N through programs that build healthy6 The YMCA partnered with The Indianapolis Public Library to help parents whose jobs were deemed essential during the shelter-in-place orders. The IPL delivered books to children ages 5–12 who received childcare services at various designated YMCA Centers. YMCA staff participated in “ Operation Reach,” making personal wellness-check phone calls to 18,500 members over the age of 60. We also continued a food program to 32 seniors who counted on us. The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis partnered withotherlocalnon-profitstohost blood drives and food distribution for students and families at several of our sites. YMCA saunas were used for PPE sterilization during closure. A social media campaign highlighting the importance of mental health was launched, with weekly meditation breaks during closures, and we began staff trainings in Mental Health First Aid. HERE FOR OUR COMMUNITY When we were forced to close our doors, we brought the Y into people’s homes by offering virtual at-home workouts, family cooking activities, arts and crafts, sports drills and more. These recorded and livestream classes included YMCA of Greater Indianapolis original videos, content from YMCA360.org and member access to Les Mills On Demand. Content was shared via social media, the Y’s YouTube channel and on the Y’s new virtual member-only access site at IndyVirtual.y.org. On March 16, 2020, following government mandates to contain the spread of COVID-19, all 12 YMCAs in Greater Indianapolis and the AssociationOfficeclosed.Wealsosuspendedoursummer2020overnightcampatFlatRockRiverYMCACamp.HendricksRegionalHealth YMCA, Fishers YMCA and Witham Family YMCA, Centers outside Marion County, reopened May 24. With the exception of the YMCA at the City Market, Y Centers in Marion County reopened June 1. To help support students who may not have had access to reliable internet services or an appropriate environment to complete school work at home, the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis rolled out new eLearning Labs in August (see photo, last page). The Youth Development YMCA also quickly adapted programming to offer eLearning Care to children who were part of school districts that did not return to school full time in person and families who did not send their children back into the classroom. COMMUNITY OUTREACH DURING OUR CLOSURES TAKING IT ONLINE7 YMCA CHILDCARE PROVIDED RELIEF FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS When the COVID-19 pandemic struck and the Indiana stay-at-home order was issued in March, many families – especially those who were considered essential workers – were left scramblingtofindchildcare.YMCAofGreaterIndianapolisstaffquicklyidentifiedtheneed for childcare so that medical personnel and other essential workers could continue working while their children were cared for and continued their eLearning. Sarah Larew is a nurse who has worked for Witham Health Services for 12 years. She was relieved when she heard that the Witham Family YMCA would be providing emergency childcare for essential workers. Sarah’s son, Vinny, is eight and now a third grader. “Most of my family works in healthcare, so I didn’t really have a good option for childcare whentheymadethedecisiontocloseschoolsandfinishtheyearoutwitheLearning,” says Sarah. “Obviously, with the situation being what it was, I couldn’t just not work for an extended period of time, so when I got the email from work that the YMCA was offering essential worker childcare, I got there as fast as possible to get him signed up.” Emergency childcare programs offered full day care including eLearning help, play time and even children’s exercise classes. Throughout the program staff maintained a focus on the health and well-being of participants and staff. “I was very comfortable sending him,” says Sarah. “I loved that they were screening everyone andconstantlyupdatingtheirpoliciestoreflectwhatwasbeingsaidwithregardstosocial distancing and just the effort in general to keep everyone safe and healthy. It was a bonus that they helped with eLearning.” Once the emergency childcare program for children of essential workers ended, the Y immediately moved into Summer Childcare. Policies ensuring the health and well-being of participants and staff continued through the Summer Childcare program. Vinny Larew “We decided to stay with the Y for summer,” says Sarah. “Vinny has said for several years now that he wants to be a scientist when he grows up, so he loved the STEM activities and swimming with his buddies.” VinnyenthusiasticallyconfirmsthatswimmingwashisfavoritepartofspendingdaysattheWithamFamilyYMCA. “Hecomeshomeexhausted,filthyandstarving-soIknowhe’splayinghardandhavingfun,”saysSarah.“We’vebeensuperhappywiththe Yandwilldefinitelybeutilizingthechildcareoptionsinthefuture.”8 As the Ys reopened in May and June 2020, we instituted extra protective measures, such as faceguards for swim instructors, plus enhanced cleaning procedures and social distancing practices for classes. 2020 also saw the expansion of eGym to the Baxter YMCA, Irsay Family YMCA at Cityway, and Ransburg YMCA, providing members with customized, tracked workouts.9 PROGRAM, CLASS & EVENT HIGHLIGHTS • PERSONAL TRAINING: Provided virtual and offsite training throughout closures resulting in over 500 clients continuing their training with the YMCA in 2020. • AQUATICS: Monthly progressive swim lessons resulted in 10% revenue growth since implementation, with aquatics reaching 100% of revenue targets. • SPORTS: Designed and implemented a district sports model with a goal to become the best place in Central Indiana to play basketball. This refreshed and streamlined focus helped achieve 80% of revenue targets upon relaunch. • EVIDENCE BASED HEALTH INITIATIVES: Secured over $280,000 in funding to support virtual and in-person chronic disease prevention. Served 300 participants with virtual programming. • COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS: In 2020, we had more community partnerships than ever. These partnerships have included churches, hospitals, restaurants, city agencies, other youth serving agencies and more. As a community, we have found strength in working together. • SUMMER CHILDCARE: In 2020, the Youth Development YMCA offered Summer Childcare for families who needed a place for their child while they worked. Through eleven weeks of enhanced programming, youth were able to learn and grow with peers and positive role models. • Y+STUDIO: Upon re-opening live programming, the expanded Y+Studio program achieved 7% growth over pre-closure participation. • THE H.O.P.E. TEAM: Helping Others Prosper Economically hosted its third annual Hope for Christmas, a distribution of supplies along with fellowship for adults experiencing homelessness, on Dec. 23, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Irsay Family YMCA at CityWay. • PROJECT REINDEER: Also known as Breakfast with Santa, Project Reindeer focused on families experiencing homelessness, young mothers and individuals battling drug addiction. Hundreds of individuals were served via sponsorship by Christie Farrell Lee and Bell and donations through Amazon Wish List. • YMCA HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE: In December 2020, the 20th Annual YMCA Holiday Toy Drive became a drive-thru only event and brought smiles to children and families throughout Central Indiana. The event was sponsored by Tom Wood Automotive Group and provided toys to more than 3,000 children from low-income families and area shelters thanks to donations from the community. Next >