For A Better Us

Congratulations to Tiger Academy English language arts teacher Edward Moore, one of four recipients of this year’s Gladys Prior Awards from the University of North Florida.

Moore teaches fifth-grade at Tiger Academy. He has spent 15 years developing rapport with students beyond graduation, attending events he is invited to by his students and serving as a mentor for teacher candidates. He is also a founding member of Brothers Accountable Driven and Determined (BADD).

Every year, the University of North Florida’s College of Education and Human Services has the privilege of recognizing deserving, local school teachers through this one-of-a-kind award. It’s among the largest monetary awards for teachers in the nation, with each teacher receiving $15,000.

Gilchrist Berg, a Jacksonville-area businessman and longtime YMCA supporter, established the awards in 1998 to honor his 4th grade teacher, Gladys Prior.  So far Berg has given over $2 million to honor Jacksonville teachers.

Teachers are nominated based on criteria including evidence of sustained inspiration to students, evidence of sustained teaching excellence and 10 or more years in the classroom.

This is the second time a Tiger Academy teacher has been selected to receive the award. In 2016, kindergarten teacher Susan Harper accepted the honor.

Through a unique partnership with the First Coast YMCA, Tiger Academy focuses on providing a nurturing learning environment while emphasizing rigorous learning academic standards, personal responsibility, character development, and strong family involvement.

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Y is providing critical services to frontline workers, families and our neighbors in need.

Whether it’s providing child care to health care providers or essential workers, staying connected with our wellness community through virtual fitness classes, providing virtual academic programming for kids and teens, or reaching out to our senior population to let them know they are not alone, we want to make sure our services are still available to all in this time of need.

Our Impact

Take a look at some of the stories about our community impact featured recently in the news:

May 13

• WJCT: Jobs & Unemployment; YMCA; Midweek Meditation; Art Ventures
• First Coast Living: May is ‘Water Safety Month’ so here are some tips from the First Coast YMCA

May 9

• WJXT: 2020 Summer Camp Options

May 1

• Florida Times-Union: YMCA Evolves to Serve Needs

April 27

• Fernandina Observer: First Coast YMCA to host “Virtual Healthy Community Day

April 2

• Clay Today: YMCA turns its focus to providing temporary daycare during crisis

March 26

• WJXT: YMCA offers child care for medical community, essential employees
• WJCT: Home Learning; Nonprofit Community; First Coast YMCA
• World Golf Village Blog: Stuck at home? YMCA offers free access to on-demand workouts online

March 24

• WJXT: YMCA offers child care for medical community, essential employees
• St. Augustine Record: St. Johns County YMCAs provide child care for essential employees

March 23

• Florida Times-Union: Coronavirus: 6 Jacksonville-area YMCA branches to provide first-responder child care
• First Coast News: First Coast YMCA offers child care for medical personnel, essential employees and first responders
• Action News Jax: First Coast YMCA childcare for medical personnel, essential employees and first responders
• WOKV: YMCA childcare for medical personnel, essential employees, first responders

March 20

• WJXT: Staying Healthy While Being Self-Quarantined

Thank you for your continued support and loyalty to the Y. We can’t do this important work without your help. We will get through this together.

#staywithus

The safety and well-being of our staff, members, volunteers and guests is always the Y’s top priority. It is our social responsibility to do our part in the face of this unprecedented health emergency.

We are thrilled with Governor DeSantis’ announcement that gyms in Florida can reopen starting Monday. As we navigate through reopening our facilities across the First Coast, our team continues to put the needs, health and safety of our members and staff at the forefront of our decision-making process.

We serve many different populations, including our community’s most vulnerable, and are choosing to open in a phased approach. In order to properly prepare our branches for our nearly 48,000 members and train more than 850 employees on new safety guidelines, we will reopen Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day) from 7:00am-3:00pm. These are our regular holiday hours. Hours by branch will be announced soon.

While the Y will look very different with modified programs and new protocols, our commitment to strengthening this community will not. We can’t wait to welcome back our members and staff.

The Y will implement a three-phased approach to offer programs and services to members with appropriate guidance from health officials to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Phases are not time-based and will be modified and revised as guidance changes.

At this time, the Y will expect members and staff to follow these guidelines:

• Updated hours of operation will vary by branch, with time allotted for active older adults and vulnerable populations. Limited facility capacity and class size to meet social distancing guidelines. Reservations will be required for some programs and classes.
• Upon return to work, Y staff (apart from lifeguards on active duty and Group Exercise instructors teaching class), must wear face masks during their shift.
• All members and staff will have temperatures monitored upon entry into Y facilities and are required to practice social distancing.
• Hand sanitizing stations and disinfectant wipes for equipment will be provided throughout the facility.

New stringent cleaning and disinfecting protocols are also being implemented throughout all areas of Y facilities and program sites. The Y will only use cleaners on CDC List N: Disinfectants for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

At this time, activities such as open gym, swim lessons and adult and/or youth sports will not be available, but will be considered in subsequent phases based on guidance from health officials. We will continue to provide LIVE virtual services to members through our Facebook page and On Demand workouts on YouTube.

We will continue you to update you with new information as we get closer to reopening day.

We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to our Ys!

Summer Camp

At this time, we are planning to hold Summer Day Camp at locations across the First Coast and overnight camp at Camp Immokalee beginning in June. We will be taking extra precautions to help decrease the spread of coronavirus which include limited capacity, temperature checks and daily health surveys. Registration is available online. If you have questions about Summer Day Camp, please call 904.265.1775. If you have questions about Camp Immokalee, please call 352.473.4213.

Child Care

We will continue to offer emergency child care services through May 29 to our health care community, first responders, members and participants in a very limited capacity at locations across the First Coast. We are taking extra precautions to help decrease the spread of the Coronavirus.

Youth Sports and Swim Team

At this time, we do not know when we will be able to resume Youth Sports or Swim Team safely. If you have questions, please contact us your branch.

Virtual Services

Our staff are continuing to work hard for you throughout this time to provide new virtual services and other offerings.

Your membership is so important to the good work that we have been doing for our First Coast community since 1908.

We ask that you continue to pay your membership fee so that we continue to provide necessary services for children, families and adults across the First Coast.

Click here for more details on our impact.

FAQs

Why did you decide to close?
The safety and well-being of our staff, members, volunteers and guests is always the Y’s top priority. As a community organization, it is our social responsibility to do our part in the face of this unprecedented health emergency. With new guidelines and mandates from health officials and government leaders, as well as guidance from key leadership on our Metro Board, we had to temporarily close all branches. This was a precautionary measure and we remain committed to helping keep the First Coast healthy and strong.

Can I place my membership on hold?
While we understand you may feel the need to place your membership on hold, we are encouraging all members to stay engaged with the First Coast YMCA during these uncertain times. The YMCA is committed to keeping this community strong and our First Coast Y staff will continue working to provide new virtual services and other offerings for our members.

Your membership fees during our closure may be converted to a charitable gift to support the Y. This gift is eligible for a tax receipt and you will be making a substantial difference in the lives of our neighbors all over the First Coast.

We will of course honor and respect all requests to hold memberships. If interested, please call 904.265.1775 and leave a voicemail with your contact information. Our staff is working remotely from 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday, and we will do our best to return your call within 48 hours during those times.

How can I get updates about the reopening of branches and programs?
Check our website often for updates, allow notifications from our mobile app and follow us on Facebook. We’ll also continue to send updates through email.

I want to thank you for being part of our First Coast YMCA family. Our priority is providing a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone who enters our doors and participates in our programs.

With global coronavirus (COVID-19) remaining top of mind for all of us, I’d like to personally update you on the increased prevention measures we are taking to reduce the risk of exposure for our staff, our members, our participants and our community.

In addition to closely monitoring the situation and following guidance from public health officials and government agencies, we are:

• Focused now, more than ever, on ensuring our facilities are clean and sanitized, with extra attention to frequently touched surfaces
• Encouraging staff, members and participants to stay home if sick and take everyday preventive actions to avoid illness
• Making decisions to postpone or cancel some events
• Implementing new personal travel guidelines for all employees and stopping business travel for employees

As this is a rapidly-changing situation, we appreciate your patience and understanding. We will continue to keep you informed on our efforts to stay healthy together.

Again, thank you for your loyalty to the Y.

Eric K. Mann
President and CEO
YMCA of Florida’s First Coast

PROGRAM & EVENT CANCELLATIONS

The Diabetes Prevention Program is not an exercise or nutrition lecture series. Instead, it is a year-long program broken down into 16 one-hour weekly sessions followed by bi-weekly and monthly sessions.

New Class
February 27, 2020
Flagler Heath+ Village
5:30p-6:30p

Come spend the best summer ever changing lives at the Y!

We’re looking for caring, fun-loving, and enthusiastic site directors, camp counselors, lifeguards and more.

Click here for all job opportunities.

The Camp Immokalee Experience

Since 1909, YMCA Camp Immokalee has provided youth with an unsurpassed traditional resident camp experience.

From learning archery, to experiencing the thrill of riding down a 350 foot zip line, to catching a bass on the shores of Lake Brooklyn – and so much more!

First Coast Games is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year and we’re excited to expand the Y’s beloved corporate wellness program! First Coast Games is coming to St. Johns and Flagler counties for an exclusive season of competition, networking, team-building and wellness presented by Flagler Health+.

If your company is located in St. Johns or Flagler counties, you won’t want to miss this! The GAMES will bring your employees together to strengthen overall morale in a format you’ve never seen before! For more info, please contact Dana Troeger.

WATCH: First Coast Games 2019

The Y has a long history of welcoming and engaging immigrants – from launching the nation’s first English as a Second Language class in 1856 to providing aid to thousands of new arrivals at Ellis and Angel Islands in the early 1900s.

We believed then as we do now, that offering our newest neighbors the support and care to thrive creates stronger, more connected communities for all.

Our commitment is evident every day at the New American Welcome Center at the duPont YMCA campus.

Running is more than just a workout for Williams Family YMCA member Mike Freed. Watch how his strides are making a big impact for the First Coast.

James H. Winston, one of the First Coast YMCA’s most passionate supporters, passed away Wednesday, September 19.

Mr. Winston cared deeply for both the Y and the city. He really understood the impact the Y has on the community. That’s what drove his involvement in the Y’s important work for more than 50 years.

“How incredibly fitting that Jim’s name graces the Winston Family YMCA, a place that’s welcoming to all and serves as a shining example of the good that can happen when a community comes together, said Eric K. Mann, First Coast YMCA President and CEO.

“His YMCA family will certainly miss him, but every day we will honor his legacy through the lives we transform in Jacksonville and across the First Coast.”