Wellness in Action
How is the Y different than other gyms and community centers?
The Y is expected to provide more than $2 million in financial assistance in 2023 for families, seniors and individuals accessing Y programs in Northern Colorado and Cheyenne. Thanks to donor-funded financial aid, people of all ages have access to the Y and our many health and wellness programs. Some of that support is provided to families who have experienced loss and devastation during natural disasters, such as the Marshall Fire.
During the Marshall Fire, the Lafayette Y stood up as a shelter for 11 days and nights and served hundreds of evacuees and their pets (yes, dogs, cats and guinea pigs). Evacuees were able to stay the night, attain vital government services and get food and water, heaters, clothing and toiletries. During their moment of need, the Y was here. In the following months, the Y provided tens of thousands of dollars in financial assistance for camp and memberships for those impacted by the fire.
“When my family lost our home in the 2021 Marshall Fire, the YMCA generously extended memberships to the families that had been displaced. These memberships and the central meeting grounds for families provided a lifeline for continued connection with our community. Even though we temporarily lived about 30 minutes away, we continued to come to the Lafayette Y for our son’s swim lessons, summer camp, my wife’s exercise classes, and many trips to the open swim. It was a place where the fire families met and stayed connected as they worked to get back to the Superior / Louisville community. We are deeply grateful for the support that the Y showed our family and all of the Marshall Fire victims, it provided an anchor to our community as we rebuilt and went through the process of returning home.”
—Kevin France, Superior, CO