People helping people Community and businesses donate more than $30,000 to support Strong Kids Campaign so families can experience Y programs regardless of financial difficulties

CENTRAL VALLEY — Deidre Smith's family is one of many area families struggling as a result of the area's continued economic woes.
Her husband Alan lost his job last December during Christmas week. He operated big cranes in Manhattan, and when the construction industry slowed down to not just a crawl, but a stall, he found himself without work just as their four children were happily awaiting Santa's arrival.
Smith had been working so much prior to his layoff that there was enough money “keep us afloat for a little while,” Deidre Smith said.
But things began to get difficult.
“During the winter, there's just not a lot of work,” the Central Valley resident said. “We waited and waited. He tried to go back in February. He was told he had to go to the city to see if he could get a job. He had to go to the (union) hall only to find out there weren't any (jobs). He wasn't the only one there.”
Alan Smith looked for side jobs but didn't have luck.
“Everything he went to, it was only a day, and it was just not enough,” said Smith. “The side work didn't work. He even tried to start a ministry. Somebody did call him and said maybe (a job) in August. Hopefully that will hold him for nine months.”
Smith (not her real name, as The Photo News agreed to protect her family's identity), found herself applying for and receiving food stamps and grants from the Home Energy Assistance Program to help pay heating bills. She began visiting food pantries to get groceries to feed her family.
She's grateful for these programs, but the family still has significant challenges.
“We just haven't paid our mortgage yet (since last December),” she said.

Departure from everyday 'stuff'

As indebted as Smith is to the public and community assistance programs available to her, there were two unexpected South Orange Family YMCA programs which came her way and have been extremely beneficial to her family: Its laid-off membership policy and its Membership Assistance Program (MAP).
“We wanted to do something with the kids and both of us needed to work out,” Smith said, who has a child at Monroe-Woodbury Middle School, two children at Central Valley Elementary School and her youngest at Smith Clove Elementary School. “The kids needed to exercise. We went from a steady income to having nothing. It was hard.”
But more importantly, she said, it offered them a mental respite from their financial challenges and a way to reinvigorate themselves as they looked to find ways to cope with those issues.
“It was more relaxing than anything,” said Smith. “You took a break from your home and that was all you did. It was not just a workout; it was a departure from all your everyday 'stuff.'”
The Y's laid-off membership policy gives members two-months free when providing a separation letter from their former employer. This must be on company letterhead and dated within the past year. Ellen Beadle, the Y's membership coordinator, said its purpose is to help out those who have been laid-off due to downsizing. This is not for those who have quit or been fired from a job.
Smith's two-month period ended in June. But going to the Y was still important to the Smith family. Beadle told her she was now eligible to apply for its Membership Assistance Program, which offers families anywhere from a 10 percent to a 70 percent discount on membership for six months upon review of the required paperwork.
“They said, 'We never turn anyone down,'” said Smith. “'This is a family place. We'll find a way to make you stay.' That was encouraging.”
Being in the Y environment was important to Smith.
“I needed something for the kids to be in that would be helpful to them,” she added. “The great thing is that you see everybody who lives here … they see their friends, the youth counselors, they like being with them.”
In Smith's case, she qualified for a 70 percent reduction. That meant her $55 monthly family membership would only be $16.50. All monies are due upfront. So instead of $330 for a six-month membership, she paid $99.
“Everything works out, God does things in a certain order,” said Smith. “The kids' grandmother had given them money, and we used that to pay for the membership. We're good until next February.”

Strong Kids Campaign

The memberships are made possible through its annual Strong Kids Campaign, according to Beadle. During its first fund drive, more than $30,000 was raised from individuals and area businesses to support the programs.
The membership assistance program is based on the Y's philosophy that every child deserves the opportunity to experience Y programs, regardless of financial difficulties their family might be facing. Those donations now provide membership assistance to kids and families who might not otherwise be able to afford to pay for Y services.
“Y programs do more than teach skills,” Beadle said. “They instill confidence and responsibility which have a strong impact on kids, helping them grow into healthy, contributing adults.”
Smith understands the importance of helping others.
“We tell our kids you have to keep helping people,” she said. “We always teach them to try to do something for more than yourself. We go to a food pantry on Tuesday, and we always try to save things (some of the food) to give to somebody else.”
So Smith was grateful to know others wanted to help her.
“When I found that people who are going here wanted to give, to help people in trouble to come, you can see the whole community is helping one another,” said Smith.
“There's nothing bad or embarrassing knowing there's someone there to help you if you need it,” she added. “They gave us a chance. You weren't turned away. When they heard that you're down and out for awhile, they said, 'Just tell us what you need and we'll try to meet that need.' You're not excluded, you're included.”

By Nancy Kriz