COVID-19
March 18, 2020
JCC Families,
It has been an unprecedented set of days since we've made the difficult decision to close our building, commit wholly and uncompromisingly to community health, and deploy our resources to supporting the community in emerging ways. Your support of us, of one another, and of the Mahoning Valley has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. Thank you for the time and space to make the right choices, communicate accurately and efficiently, and build a strong foundation for continued service.
With the support of the JCC Board of Directors, we have established the following guiding principles for enrollment fees and membership dues. In the increasingly likely event that we remain closed on April 1, the following will take effect on that date:
JCC Early Learning Center - Effective April 1, no additional enrollment charges will be processed for the Early Learning Center or After Care students, though families will continue to have the option to direct enrollment charges as a contribution to the JCC's staff and service sustainability efforts. More direct and specific communication will be sent directly to education families.
Membership Dues - JCC Membership is a diverse and engaging experience; even as our buildings close we continue to explore ways to serve the community, engage our members, and deliver a unique experience for all.
As of April 1, we will be freezing all memberships. Our current plan is to resume your draft and membership access when we reopen. Depending on the timeline of this current situation, we may need to make adjustments, and will communicate with you about this.
Still want to support us with your monthly membership payment? Thank you! Your support will enable us to continue serving our community’s greatest needs, including child care for our health care workers and supporting our amazing staff. Contact Amanda Ackroyd-Smith, Membership Manager, at asmith@jewishyoungstown.org or call 330.746.3250 ext. 195 and provide your name and contact information.
If you do choose to cancel your membership, a 30 day notice is required, and will incur any applicable rejoining fees upon re-enrollment.
If you find yourself confronted with an immediate hardship as a result of this community pandemic, please connect with the JCC Membership team to explore additional options and resources.
You have told us, in your voices and actions, that being a member of the JCC is more than access to a building. We believe that membership is about the connection to one another, a shared vision for the future, and an investment in the values we share. During this interruption, we have worked tirelessly to better understand the financial implications of our community's response to COVID-19.
We want to thank those members, partners, and leaders who have already demonstrated their commitment to our mission and staff. We are blessed to partner with members and users who recognize that our staff family delivers exceptional service, with a tremendous amount of heart and expertise, and we are enthusiastic to fully compensate our staff members at this time.
We also want to take this opportunity to thank those individuals, organizations, and institutions who have joined us in this active commitment to community health. We encourage everyone to recognize the severity of this moment, prioritize the needs of our at-risk communities, and insist on bravery in making the best choices based on the best, expert guidance.
In the days ahead, the JCC staff team will be ramping up the online resources, content, and engagement opportunities available to our community. If you have an idea, want to connect with community members, or otherwise want to explore ways to demonstrate our values and celebrate our community (in the most social-distancing-sensitive way!) please reach out to us.
B'Shalom,
Michael Rawl
JCC Executive Director
March, 15, 2020
JCC of Youngstown Closed to the Public
As you know, the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation leadership has been monitoring the unfolding COVID-19 situation closely. At this time, we have made the decision to close the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown to the public. The Early Learning Center at the Jewish Community Center will close at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 17. All other programs and classes are canceled effective immediately. We anticipate we will reopen April 1.
The professional leadership team of the JCC and the Federation, in consultation with the Federation president, did not make this decision lightly. It is hard to balance this choice with our desire to bring the community together in the greatest moments of need. The unique circumstances of this pandemic, and our specific opportunity to limit any additional spread or further community impact, demand us to do the very opposite – to build more space between our members, programs, and facilities. The strongest service to our members and mission – to the values of Tikkun Olam (because the world needs repairing right now) and Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Ba’Zeh (because we are all responsible for one another) – is to close our doors. We share with all institutions a responsibility to safeguard the health and well-being of staff and visitors while helping to slow the spread of the disease in our extended communities.
Limited visitation continues for Heritage Manor Rehabilitation & Retirement Community and Levy Gardens Assisted Living. This proactive decision has been made out of an abundance of caution to protect the health of our residents and tenants and to minimize any unnecessary exposure to COVID-19 and Influenza.
Jewish Family Services will continue to offer most services.
The Federation and its agencies will still be working to support our members, residents, tenants, students, and clients even in the most trying of times. We have a commitment to not only our community but also our staff who will all feel the impact of our closures and closures throughout our service area. To that end, we are opening an emergency fund. Donations can be made by clicking here or by sending a check made out to "YAJF" and mailed to Lisa Long, Financial Resource Development Director, 505 Gypsy Lane, Youngstown, Ohio 44504.
We recognize that this is an incredibly difficult and challenging time for everyone. Please take care of yourselves and your loved ones in the next few days and weeks.
Rick Marlin
Youngstown Area Jewish Federation President
Andrew Lipkin
Youngstown Area Jewish Federation Executive Vice-President
