YMCA GUIDELINES & FAQS
Thank you for supporting the health and safety of our members, volunteers, and staff throughout the pandemic. We will continue to honor our commitment to maintain a safe environment for all and uphold our current policy that requires all members and staff to wear a mask at all times while in a Y facility.
Our goal as always is to be open for all and to bring people together (physically or virtually) for healing, social connectedness, and to address community needs. Thank you for your sustained membership and support during this time.
Please note that the details below could change at any time as we continue to assess the safety of our members and staff as well as follow safety guidelines set by the CDC, and local, and state officials.
1. Now that Gov. Abbott has removed the mask mandate, do I need to wear a mask while exercising at the YMCA of Greater San Antonio?
In light of the most recent CDC update, masks and social distancing are now optional for fully vaccinated members, guests, and staff in YMCA Facilities.
The YMCA will not require proof of vaccination. Please continue to wear a mask if you are not fully vaccinated out of respect to other members and staff around you.
2. Additional COVID-19 safety precautions.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have followed guidance from the CDC, local health agencies, and public officials to update our policies, practices, and procedures to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene and make appropriate accommodations for physical/social distancing. Key measures include:
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Health Screenings for staff and members
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Reconfigured Ys to ensure social distancing
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Increased cleaning and disinfecting protocols
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Sneeze Shields installed at front desks
3. Will the mask mandate apply to children in Y Early Learning Centers and Afterschool programming?
For Y Early Learning Centers: Masks and social distancing are now optional for fully vaccinated members, guests, and staff in YMCA Facilities. The YMCA will not require proof of vaccination.
Afterschool programs will adhere to the school district policies.
4 Will the mask mandate apply to Youth Sports activities?
In light of the most recent CDC update, masks and social distancing are now optional for fully vaccinated members, guests, and staff in YMCA Facilities. The YMCA will not require proof of vaccination. Out of respect to other members and staff around you, please continue to wear a mask if not fully vaccinated. Individuals can continue to wear a mask if they choose to as well.
5. You have asked members to continue to support you - what are you doing with the money. How is the Y currently serving our communities?
Many of you are facing hardships of your own, and we’re so humbled by you, our members, who continue to support us during times like this. As the pandemic hit our communities, and we temporarily closed our doors, our mission never changed. For 144 years, the YMCA of Greater San Antonio has worked to build a stronger community. With our doors open to all, we respond to the community’s most critical social needs, ensuring that everyone has the chance to learn, grow and thrive, regardless of age, income, ability, ethnicity, or faith.
We quickly pivoted to provide the following:
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Our 3 early learning centers remained open to serve the childcare needs of essential personnel
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Additionally, we opened 3 school-aged emergencies childcare sites with social distancing and sanitation practices in place
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We went from operating 54 School-based childcare centers to providing online physical education, educational activities, and Family resources
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We went from welcoming hundreds of seniors daily into our Y’s for physical, mental, and spiritual support to now reaching out and conducting wellness checks via telephone reassurance and robocalls, providing grab and go meals, and providing resources
To continue to offer these vital services and to be there to help communities rebuild when the crisis is over, we need the public, both members and nonmembers, to remember and support their local Y.
The Y has always been there to help people and communities continue to thrive in times of crisis. In addition to adapting to today’s needs, the Y will continue to be hereafter this crisis to help our communities recover, together.
6. How can I support the Y?
Thank you for supporting your Y and the local community.
Nonprofits and their employees are doing incredible work in communities, despite the challenges of the coronavirus crisis. But YMCAs and others need support to continue serving those in need. Congress must take urgent action to help nonprofits like the YMCA. We are asking Congress to help by acknowledging that many nonprofits have been unable to access the forgivable stimulus funds in the SBA Paycheck Protection Program and that this must be addressed in the next COVID response bill.
You can help by reaching out to your local representative via email or social media and encouraging them to mention nonprofits. https://ymca.quorum.us/campaign/25943/
Furthermore, if you would like to donate, please visit ymcasatx.org/give.