WE'RE HERE FOR YOU

The Y Is Here for You: Free Childcare, Showers, Wi-Fi, and Essential Services Across LA County

For impacted community members throughout LA, the Y is providing no-cost services and support in the following ways:

Free Childcare: The Y is pleased to offer free child care for children of first responders, essential workers and families who have been displaced, evacuated or who have otherwise experienced loss. We have limited spaces available. 

• ALL YMCA locations are offering childcare for children of first responders, essential workers and children of families who were displaced, evacuated or lost property, or who cannot attend school because their school has closed for the day. 
• This program is being offered at no-cost.
• Children must be at least 4 years and 9 months old to attend the program and must be in grades TK-8th.
• Space is limited. Contact afterschool@ymcaLA.org to learn more and sign up.

Immediate Support and Resource Hubs

• ALL YMCA centers are offering showers, food, water, and essential items
• Our parking lots can serve as staging areas for emergency vehicles and safe spaces for community members to park
• Our gym spaces are serving as donation sorting/storage areas

Community Services

• We will provide free access to YMCA amenities to displaced residents
• Offer mental health support through our existing counseling programs; bit.ly/FireSupportLA

Community Access to Y Services for All

• ALL non-affected locations are opening their doors with free day passes
  • Creating welcoming spaces for:
    • Families needing a safe haven
    • Community members seeking connection
    • Those requiring basic necessities (charging phones, fresh water, etc.)
    • Anyone needing mental health support or resource guidance 
• Our licensed social workers are ready to provide immediate support to youth and families and help connect them to resources bit.ly/FireSupportLA

YOU CAN HELP

Together, we can help our fellow Angelenos through these trying times and rebuild our communities. There a several ways to support the efforts to restore and rebuild.

• Donate to the Community Impact Fund | Give online here.
• Volunteer Your Time | volunteer@ymcala.org
• Give Essential Items | ALL YMCA's are accepting donations
  • Areas of Greatest Need
    • Pasadena Sierra Madre YMCA
    • Santa Anita YMCA
    • South Pasadena YMCA
  • Items Most Needed
    • Diabetic friendly food
    • Instant coffee
    • Powder creamer
    • Baby formula
    • Peanut butter/jelly supplies - non peanut butters as well
    • Cereal
    • Reusable bags/grocery bags
    • Luggage
    • Gloves - winter, working
    • Sleeping equipment (sleeping bags, mats, blankets, pillows, air mattresses)

For large quantity donations, contact Inkinddonations@ymcaLA.org to confirm specific guidelines and pickup or drop-off procedures. 
Update on Donation Inquiries: Thank you for your incredible generosity and support during this critical time. Due to an overwhelming number of inquiries to inkinddonations@ymcala.org, our team is working diligently to respond to all messages in the order they are received. We are committed to replying within 48 hours.We appreciate your patience as we work together to support those impacted by the wildfires.

Urgent Volunteer Needs:

If you are looking for a chance to volunteer, please head to your local Y and ask about the most current volunteer opportunities.

Visit www.ymcala.org/locations to find a YMCA center nearest you!  We currently have Y’s across Los Angeles severing as donation centers, distributing fresh produce and hot meals, opening their doors for anyone that needs showers, providing emergency child care, and much more. 

OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: We are currently partnering with the American Red Cross.  The best way to volunteer with them is to give blood or sign up to become a disaster volunteer at Redcross.org.

• Location: Collins & Katz Family YMCA (1466 S Westgate Ave, Los Angeles)
• Date: Monday, January 13
• Time: 10:00AM – 4:00PM
• Parking: FREE to volunteers
• POC: Cesar Vazquez, CesarVazquez@ymcala.org

CONTACT US

• To learn how to support your community now, contact MarioValenzuela@ymcaLA.org.
• For in-kind donations such as food, clothing, or supplies, direct inquiries to InKindDonations@ymcaLA.org. 
• For monetary donations, please contact Celina Santiago at CelinaSantiago@ymcaLA.org.
• For volunteer opportunities, contact volunteer@ymcaLA.org. 
• Media & Press, contact ChristinaBragg@ymcala.org.

If you are looking to give to rebuild the Palisades-Malibu YMCA, please go here.