Generous Gifts Lower Emergency Child Care Costs at YMCA

The Missoula YMCA was celebrating on Tuesday after two generous donations significantly lowered emergency child care costs for healthcare and other essential workers.

Senior Director of Youth Programs Nicole Martin explained.

“We are excited to announce that our emergency child care is now available at an amazing price at just $112 for a full week of care per child, per week thanks to generous sponsors including the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation and the Gallagher Foundation.”

Martin said the normal cost for a week of child care is well over $200, so the gifts have lowered the costs for parents significantly.

“With our emergency child care we are really limiting our group sizes to insure safety,” she said. “Our group sizes are no larger than 10 including our staff, so that means eight children and two staff members and limiting any interaction with other groups. The service is available to all essential service workers, as defined by Governor Bullock, so those who are required to go to work even with our stay at home order would qualify for our YMCA site. Then, in partnership with Missoula County Public Schools we also have a site at Russell Elementary School which is for healthcare providers and first responders.”

Martin said the YMCA will provide the emergency child care until the Governor’s order is rescinded and MCPS resumes regular classes.

For information about the emergency child care, call the Missoula Family YMCA at 721-YMCA (9622).