YMCA Christchurch Earthquake Update 4 - 21 March 2011

We are focused on doing the best we can for our staff, members, participants and guests...  and a key part of this is timely information, restoration of services, and invention of a few new ones that are now relevant...  We have begun working with schools and their students to provide some support to students who are either sharing a school with another or who are simply a bit 'jumpy' to be back at school and away from home.  This week a team of outdoor staff are providing fun and laughter for the young children at Cashmere Primary School.  There are many schools on the list!  We are also working on family camps for the communities on the East side of Christchurch who are still lacking homes/schools/etc - any enquiries about these initiatives don't hesitate to call. 

Our site updates today as follows:

City Y Accommodation - travellers/guests: Sorry we are still closed until we have repaired flood damage.  We hope to open our accommodation hostel by Mid May.  We are hamstrung by the time it takes to get in contractors and carpet supplies etc.  If you were staying with us when the earthquake hit, have returned overseas, and have personal belongings left in your room you should have been contacted by now about how these will be returned to you. If not please email us as soon as you can on accom@ymcachch.org.nz  so we can get your gear returned.  

City Y Student Accomodation:  We remain closed until we can repair the foyer area at the City Y.  We hope to have re-opened in time for Term 2 (Easter Break).  In the meantime, we are providing accommodation for students at Wainui Park with a daily shuttle service to and from town provided free of charge. Please contact us for more information about that if you would like to partake.  E:  accom@ymcachch.org.nz

City Y Williams House Accommodation:  We remain closed until the foyer area at the City Y can be be repaired.  We are hoping for re-opening around Easter time.  Please keep an eye on the website for more info and register your interest in a room by emailing accom@ymcachch.org.nz  or phoning Jude or Kath on 03 3660689. 

City Y Health & Fitness:  We remain closed until the foyer area at the City Y can be repaired. We hope to be open by Easter break!  (Muscle People and Robert Harris too)! 

City Y Climbing Wall:  We remain closed until the foyer area at the City Y can be repaired and the climbing wall is deemed structurally sound by a height engineer.  Again, we are aiming for Easter Break...

Bishopdale YMCA - All Activities: Open for business as per usual!  Come and join us for Gym memberships, Group Fitness Classes, Youth basketball, gymnastics and dance, licenced pre-school.. some (limited) hire of stadium available too Ph: Kris on 359 8320

Bishopdale Preschool -Open for business as per usual.  Full Licenced. Free 20 hours ECE. Some part time and full time vacancies available in the preschool and in the nursery.  Ph:  Di or Sarah on 359 8320

Education - Youth Training:  Open for learning at 888 Colombo Street from Tuesday March 22nd.  Hip Hip Hooray.  The centre on Colombo Street is good to go and has been checked structurally by two engineers. Ph:  377 2174 for information if you haven't heard from your tutor.

Education - Alternative Education:  The venue at the City Y will not be available until Term 2 (probably).  We are keen to return to this venue however, and will be aiming for this!  In the meantime, we are going to accommodation Alternative Education Students at 888 Colombo Street from Tuesday March 22nd.  Ph; 377 2174 for information if you haven't heard from your tutor.

Wainui Park:  Open for business as per usual.  We have had a lot of cancellations from schools for obvious reasons.. therefore, peak season we have unusually lots of vacancies.. perfect for a corporate re-focusing retreat...  or a school camp to get your class fired up or an intensive school-work catch up session!  Ph:  03 304 8460

Youth & Outdoors:  Open for business albeit slightly differently too before... operating from Bishopdale YMCA please send enquiries for Education Outside the Classroom options to yomanager@ymcachch.org.nzor phone Ginny or Dave on 359 8320

Holiday Programmes: All April Programmes (including Wainui Camp) will be going ahead this April holidays.  Some venues may be changed due to earthquake issues/accessibility.  Register online at www.ymcachch.org.nz/children/holidayprogs/  or come in and register in person at Bishopdale Y, Bishopdale Mall (Farrington Ave). 

HOT NEWS - The YMCA of Christchurchis very grateful to More FM and MTA for the car we won today!  This is awesome and will be used by our Partnership Manager to get around the many schools and Church groups he is working with at the moment... 

Thanks again to everyone who is continuing to support the YMCA - as we work hard to build strong people, strong families, and now, more than ever, strong communities...

Josie Ogden Schroeder

CEO

YMCA Christchurch