The YMCA of Rhode Island is making the most of down time during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rhode Island YMCAs have furloughed 95 percent of their staff during the pandemic and have also shut down operations throughout the state. However, local branches have continued to serve the community and make a difference during this crisis.

“We have a variety of online, on-demand workouts for both adults and kids. We have a lot to choose from, we also have some of our staff hosting workouts online from their homes,” said Kent County YMCA Executive Director Bob Cioffi, who also hopes to host summer youth camps. “When listening to the governor, she seems hopeful that we will still be able to have summer camps, so we are going to plan on having them obviously under her direction.”

Beyond just helping members stay fit, local Y’s have lent a hand in helping those affected by the coronavirus. Whether it be delivering meals to the elderly, or sewing masks for local use, the Y has remained an active pillar in the state during its time of need.

“We’ve been delivering meals to families, we have teamed up with SewHope to sew masks. It is important to us to let the people know that we are doing stuff. Our members have been great, SewHope, Cardi’s Furniture has helped with delivering meals, Elijah Project out of Providence, GEM Plumbing, many of those businesses have been helping us as we have been helping them. We are here to help the community, that is what we are here for. Meeting the needs of the community is what the Y has done for over 150 years,” said Cioffi.

“We have been trying to provide as much virtual content to our members as possible. We have been asking our partners to stay with us if possible, we understand that people are unemployed, but we are asking for them to remain members to help us have some income to stretch until we open,” said Steve O’Donnell, Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA of Greater Providence. “That is a big question now, what will we look like once we are open? What will the gym look like? What will our after school programs look like? We don’t have the answers yet, we know we are going to open someday, it’s just going to be about filling those holes when we do.”

The YMCA’s members have been pleased with the online offerings to this point, and O’Donnell believes remaining active is essential to physical and mental health during these times.

“The feedback has been good and I think it will help us in the future. However, people miss that interaction, that interaction when you work out with other people in person. However, that is on hold for now, and we are doing our best to get content out there. We have had celebrities like (Patriots fullback) Jimmy Devlin put out videos for us, showing us how our body is a tool and how to remain active and healthy,” said O’Donnell. “We also have an emotional stress counselor working with our members and staff teaching us how to handle everything going on right now. It’s been remarkable watching people respond to it, their response has been greater than we thought it would be. It’s been very very encouraging.”

With more than 8,000 members, Kent County YMCA has big plans in store for later in the year once operations resume. The facility installed new fitness equipment weeks prior to closing, and has since undergone some renovations including roof repairs, upgraded showers and locker rooms, and a total sanitation throughout the building. New grass athletic fields are also being installed in the coming months as well for member use. Memberships are being extended for the period during which facilities were closed.

O’Donnell urges members to remain hopeful and excited for what will be coming down the pike once things open back up.

“Change is very tough on people, especially in a crisis like this where we have never seen something like this,” said O’Donnell. “The unknown is what scares people. But I believe that the Y will be stronger when it’s all said and done. It may be hard to see right now, but I believe at my core that this was a wake up call that really shows the importance of community.”