Greater Cleveland Y joins in providing relief funds to Haiti

(Jan. 21, 2010) Haiti The global YMCA movement is responding in a coordinated effort to address the immediate needs of the children, families and devastated communities in Port au Prince, and surrounding areas through financial support.

Working in collaboration with the Red Cross, Action Churches Together and other relief and emergency agencies, YMCAs around the world are responding to the urgent basic needs of those displaced by providing food, water, medicines, and blankets; and in the longer term, care and psycho-social counseling.

In addition, the Dominican Republic YMCA and the Latin American and Caribbean Alliance of YMCAs, with support from the global YMCA movement, are planning to deliver critical supplies and support to those impacted. Beyond these immediate efforts, the YMCA will also evaluate the long-term needs for the impacted communities to ensure the security and stability of children, youth and families of Haiti.

Locally, the Greater Cleveland YMCA has already donated $3,000 to the relief effort in Haiti.

The YMCA has several facilities in Haiti. The Port-au-Prince Youth Center was destroyed in the earthquake, while the Camp-Perrin Center and the Kenscoff Center were spared. The latter is being used as a temporary lodging facility, according to Gwenael Apollon, the National General Secretary of the Haiti YMCA.

Andres Fortunato, General Secretary of the Dominican Republic YMCA, is traveling to Haiti with critical supplies and support. The Dominican Republic shares a border with Haiti and leadership from both Y movements have strong relationships with community partners throughout the region.

In addition, staff, volunteers and members have donated blood, water, and financial support to the effort. Youth leaders at the Dominican Republic YMCA are also raising awareness and resources for the survivors through collection drives in the community.

If you would like to support our efforts in Haiti, please donate to YMCA World Service by visiting www.ymca.net/worldservice or by calling the YMCA of the USA International Group at (800) 872-9622. (Please note: When donating online, it is important to specify “Haiti Earthquake Support” in the “Comments/special instructions” box at the bottom of the online donation page to ensure immediate designation of your contribution.)

To contribute by mail, please send a check (payable to YMCA World Service with “Haiti Earthquake Support” noted in the memo line) to YMCA of the USA, attention YMCA World Service, 101 North Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

Updates on the YMCA’s efforts will be posted as they become available. For more information, please contact the YMCA of the USA International Group at (800) 872-9622 or visit www.ymca.net/worldservice.