The long-troubled YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh, a valuable community resource, is floundering due to COVID-19.
Steep drops in membership and program revenue have led to the bottom falling out of the nonprofit’s budget, which fell from $34 million last year to $19 million this year.
Earlier this month, the organization closed two branches: the North Boroughs branch in Bellevue and the U.S. Steel Tower branch, Downtown. In September the YMCA announced 30 administrative employees would be laid off. Since lockdowns began, employment has dropped from more than 1,000 full- and part-time employees to fewer than 400. The remaining staff have taken pay cuts ranging from 5% to 25%. Programming and hours remain significantly reduced.
The value of community organizations like the YMCA should not be overlooked.
From the children’s programs to the fitness classes to the community gatherings, YMCAs provide needed services in their neighborhoods for an enormous variety of residents.
As a city we should do what we can to support this institution.
The YMCA has suffered in recent years — in 2018 it declared bankruptcy citing a Downtown lease for a space in Market Square as its most significant liability. After divesting that property, the YMCA closed several other branches to consolidate its resources. Out of eight branches remaining, only five are partially open due to the virus restrictions.
Tempting as it might be to pin the local layoffs on mismanagement, hindsight is 20/20. And the struggles from COVID-19 aren’t disproportionately striking Pittsburgh. More than 70% of YMCAs around the world that responded to international surveys reported significantly scaled-back operations, canceled services and events, and layoffs.
At the height of the lockdown, staff members at the YMCA negotiated with some members, trying to convince them not to leave by offering discounted rates and explaining that the organization was doing its best to keep its housing program alive. And the YMCA has done what it can to pivot to online exercise courses and community-building events, including virtual family dance parties.
It’s a reasonable plea. As social fabric in the country continues to disintegrate, organizations and clubs such as the YMCA need our support.
Those that can should step up and keep the YMCA’s humanitarian mission alive at this time when the city needs it most.
First Published: October 24, 2020, 1:33 p.m.
