FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:​ James Canning James.Canning@sdcounty.ca.gov
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The San Diego Foundation COVID-19 Community Response Fund providing $1 Million to start-up YMCA Summer Camps and Give Camp Scholarships to Kids from Low-income Families

SAN DIEGO (May 9, 2020) — ​A partnership between Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, YMCA of San Diego County and The San Diego Foundation is making more childcare opportunities available for parents during the COVID-19 pandemic with summer camps for youth from low-income families and camp scholarships. A $1 million grant from The San Diego Foundation ​COVID-19 Community Response Fund will support the initiative.

“As a parent, I understand it will not be easy for parents to go back to work without viable and safe childcare options,” said Supervisor Fletcher, Co-chair of the County’s COVID-19 Subcommittee. “As we gradually open up our economy, single parent households and working families are going to need more support with watching their kids while they are at work — this new partnership is one way we’re doing it.”

Details about how to sign-up for camp scholarships, the locations and dates will be announced in the near future, but on Saturday during the press conference outside of the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA in Southeastern San Diego, the Supervisor was joined by Mark Stuart, President and CEO, San Diego Foundation and Baron Herdelin-Doherty, President and CEO, YMCA of San Diego County.

YMCA has been serving San Diego County families for 138 years, and is one of the largest summer camp providers in the County, also boasting accreditation by the American Camping Association. Summer camps run the entire day and address the intended childcare need.

“As a direct result of this support from Supervisor Fletcher and the San Diego Foundation, the YMCA will be able to get summer camp up and running more quickly, serving families who need us most through scholarships,” said Herdelin-Doherty. “Like many organizations, we’re working through this new normal – and finalizing the details of how to reopen our doors and run summer camp in the safest way possible.”

Life is a struggle for many families under normal circumstances, but during a global pandemic financial and childcare struggles are magnified. The San Diego Foundation has stepped-up to help from the COVID-19 Community Response Fund.

“To get San Diegans back to work and start our economic recovery, workers must have safe, accessible, affordable childcare,” shared Mark Stuart, President and CEO of The San Diego Foundation. “Thank you Supervisor Fletcher for recognizing this vital need, and to YMCA of San Diego County for providing this critical program so local families can start rebuilding their lives.”

This week, the County of San Diego made amendments to its ​Public Health Officer Orders for schools and childcare​, to ease restrictions as parents head back to work.

Other Child Related Actions by Supervisor Fletcher

On Tuesday, May 5, the Supervisor authored a policy that his colleagues on the Board of Supervisors passed to make $5 million of County​ C​ oronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ​(​CARES Act) funding available for emergency childcare vouchers for essential workers and vulnerable populations. On Friday, Mayor Kevin Faulconer committed to have the City of San Diego match the County’s $5 million for childcare vouchers and Councilmember Chris Cate is presenting a policy to the San Diego City Council for a vote.

Also earlier this week, Supervisor Fletcher’s office had discussions with the San Diego County Office of Education Superintendent Paul Gothold about plans for reopening schools for the over 500,000 school age kids countywide. Next week he is taking part in a meeting with school district superintendents and other school personnel from the 42 school districts to discuss their obstacles, planning and timelines for reopening. Also, next week he will be participating in the County’s telebriefing for K-12 and early education and childcare providers.

About YMCA of San Diego County

The YMCA of San Diego County is the largest Y association in the nation, serving nearly 500,000 San Diego County residents and employing more than 5,500 people (prior to Covid-19). Through a variety of programs and services focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y unites men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the county’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA of San Diego County is dedicated to improving the quality of human life and to helping all people realize their fullest potential as children of God through the development of the spirit, mind and body. Visit www.ymcasd.org to find your local YMCA or call (858) 292-YMCA (9622).

About Supervisor Fletcher

Supervisor Nathan Fletcher represents the Fourth Supervisorial District of San Diego County. He is leading the County of San Diego’s response to novel coronavirus as Co-Chair of the County’s COVID-19 Subcommittee. Supervisor Fletcher is working daily with the County’s Chief Administrative Officer, Public Health officials and a cross-departmental emergency operations team to protect public health, reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread to residents and respond to the constantly changing dynamic of this global pandemic. Learn more at ​www.SupervisorNathanFletcher.com.

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