The YMCA of Greater Michiana has teamed up with Spectrum Health Lakeland to take care of the children of frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. YMCA Director of Youth Programs Zechariah Hoyt tells WSJM News while the Y’s facilities closed for normal activities, they’re being used as daycares for the kids of doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff.
“It’s been a great partnership with Spectrum Health Lakeland in the sense that they are helping to subsidize that care so employees have access,” Hoyt said.
Hoyt says the program has been going well.
“We’re filled to our capacity before we add more team members, which is not an issue because we have a good pool. We’ve had more inquiries since the opening of more jobs.”
Therefore, more sites could be opened. Hoyt says the facility is deep cleaned every night and sanitized between activities during the day. They’ve had no illnesses in the past five weeks. The local YMCA also talks with disaster coordinators in Cass and Van Buren counties about their need for childcare. Hoyt says the availability of child care is an issue that should be discussed for the long-term even when the current crisis ends.
