ATHOL — Schools across the state have shuttered their doors for at least three weeks in response to the evolving COVID-19 health crisis, leaving students with the unforeseen challenge of homeschooling and working parents — especially those in the health care industry and first responders — with a childcare predicament.
Starting Thursday, the Athol Area YMCA will meet that need locally.
The Main Street fitness facility, among a few others in Massachusetts, has received emergency licensure from the state Department of Early Education and Care to provide childcare for families in need. Registration for the program has already started and those interested should contact the facility immediately.
“We are closed to members, but we are still operating our child care,” said Jennifer L. Gordon, the center’s executive director, addressing Thursday’s plans to “open our doors to families to be able to bring their children from 7:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.”
In light of prevention guidelines laid out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — since the virus has no vaccine, avoid exposure by staying 6 feet away from others; wash hands; clean and disinfect, among other precautions related on the federal organization’s website — the emergency child care measure is not being taken lightly.
It’s a challenge Gordon says they’ve grappled with.
“Everybody is in the same predicament, as to what to do,” Gordon said. Helping to meet the region’s childcare needs “seemed like the socially responsible thing to do, having large, empty, open spaces.”
To prevent the virus’ spread, Gordon says Heywood Hospital is on-board and has sent first aid and medical supplies to help make the program possible. The YMCA’s staff — which has been whittled down to only those who are necessary to manage the initiative, as the fitness center is to remain closed to the public for the foreseeable future — will take temperature readings and assess children as they arrive. During the day, the children will be divided into groups of less than 20 kids and will be situated throughout the large center to minimize social contact.
Strict sanitization precautions will also be implemented.
“Because we’ve closed down to members, we’ll have a full gym they can go into,” Gordon said. “They’re going to have plenty of room.”
In total, Gordon said the state has licensed the YMCA to watch over groups of more than 55 school-aged children and up to around 50 preschool-aged kids. The program is open to all community members, not just those families with someone who works in an important field, especially those who “economically struggle” and children who come from “less-than-positive situations.”
In addition to childcare, the Athol-Royalston School District will deliver free food to the children at the YMCA — breakfast, lunch and a snack — as part of a regional push to meet the needs of its students, even as they study at home. Starting Tuesday, the district began distributing free lunches and breakfast to students younger than 19 years old at regularly scheduled bus stops at 10 a.m. Students are also able to pick up food outside Athol High School and Athol Community Elementary School from 10 to 11 a.m. This program is ongoing, according to a statement released Monday by the district.
“For many kids, school is their sanctuary,” Gordon said. “What is ‘social responsibility’ at this time? You have emergency personnel who have to work. You have doctors and nurses who have to work, but have kids at home. They have to have childcare. Those are the people we are reaching out to.”
For adults, with the fitness center closed, Gordon said the YMCA has uploaded home-workout videos online that can be accessed by emailing Colleen Clyatt, wellness director, at cclyatt@ymcaathol.org. Beginning this week, Gordon said Clyatt intends to start hosting regular live workouts on the YMCA’s Facebook page.
The crisis, which is still unfolding, will impact Athol’s community in a variety of ways, Gordon noted.
“We’re constantly trying to assess and reassess what the (community’s) needs are. Just as everything is developing hour by hour, we’re finding the needs are changing hour by hour. We’re doing our best,” Gordon said. “I’m trying to keep people calm. The next big concern is people’s mental health. It’s stressful, the whole thing is stressful — there’s fear, anxiety. That will be the next thing we tackle.”
For more information, please contact the Athol Area YMCA online via ymcaathol.org or by phone by calling 978-249-3305.
Andy Castillo is features
editor at the Greenfield Recorder. He can be reached at acastillo@recorder.com.