Beaufort-Jasper YMCA of the Lowcountry Positively Impacts Our Community Now More Than Ever

story by BESTY HINDERLITER

The Beaufort-Jasper YMCA of the Lowcountry is mission-driven and community-focused on serving Beaufort and Jasper counties. The Y is the nation’s leading non-profit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

The Y believes that strong communities are possible only when we invest in our children, health, and neighbors. At the start of 2020, the Wardle Family YMCA located in Port Royal celebrated a successful capital fundraiser and annual meeting.

“We looked forward to helping build a bright future here in our community, and our financial assistance program ensures that the Y is accessible to every person, regardless of their ability to pay. But life in 2020 threw us all a major curveball,” explained Kaylin Garst, Branch Executive Director of the Wardle Family YMCA.

When the pandemic began, the Y communicated with our members and quickly pivoted our services to meet key community needs. Garst added, “As a non-profit organization, the YMCA continued to serve our members and the community, even during the shutdown. Stepping up as the solutions-driven organization we strive to be, the Y distributed over 33,000 free meals in 2020 through its partnership with Beaufort County School District.”

The Y provided childcare for children of hospital staff and first responders, and provided an e-Learning Support Program for BCSD students in hybrid instruction.

Denice Fanning, Healthy Living Program Director, didn’t hesitate to loan fitness equipment to members during the shutdown, so they could continue to be active at home.

“We pivoted our popular group exercise classes too, into online classes, sometimes taking place outdoors and many times at the instructor’s own home.” The Y utilized Facebook live to broadcast many group exercise classes, and then added the videos to their website, so prerecorded classes were available any time, any place, as long as there was an internet connection.

“Our staff also completed hundreds of health-check calls to members, many who are seniors that rely on the Y for their physical and mental wellness,” added Fanning. “During the shutdown, we missed seeing our members and vice versa, so it was one way we could keep those connections strong, even though it wasn’t in person.”

The Y also created and implemented a 16-week Healthy@Home email initiative designed to help our members stay active and healthy, by sharing simple at-home workouts, stress relieving tips, activities for kids and parents, and inspirational messages to combat isolation and fatigue created by the pandemic.

The Wardle Family Y lobby received a much-needed facelift during the shutdown: new flooring, painting and reconfigured front desk, and additional maintenance work were completed around the facility. The Y implemented CDC and DHEC Covid-19 protocols and adhered to local guidelines, such as the Port Royal Face Mask Ordinance.

Thanks to an unprecedented Board-led matching fund drive, we installed state-of-the-art Global Plasma Solution (GPS) air cleaning technology on our entire HVAC system in August.

The Y believes our community is stronger when we all work together and is grateful to all our members who have kept their memberships active, even if they are not currently using the Y facility in person yet.
With many memberships on hold and terminated due to continuing Coronavirus concerns, the Y is thankful to the thousands of members, volunteers, donors, and partners who have stuck by its side during this uncertain time. The Covid-19 pandemic has greatly affected many non-profits and the thousands of people who rely on the Y annually for the health and well-being of their family, children, and themselves. No matter what the future holds, please know the Y is committed to our members, and the Beaufort and Jasper communities. We believe brighter days are ahead, and we all need the Y to be here when we come out on the other side of this crisis. In the meantime, the Y is very grateful for any and all financial support from the community.