Summit YMCA Receives Grant from Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation

On April 9, the Christopher and Dana Reeve foundation presented a $2,500 check to the Summit YMCA, which was used towards creating family accessible locker rooms for members with physical disabilities. 

Terri Clinton, Executive Director of Summit YMCA, said updating the locker rooms would never have been possible if it were not for the grant provided by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.

“It opens to the door to so many people thanks to this opportunity,” Clinton said. “It’s one more way for us to serve the community better.”

Prior to the updating of the locker rooms, the YMCA offered Father and Daughter changing rooms and Mother and Son changing rooms, but the Y felt offering a family changing room would make it more accessible for those with physical disabilities, mobility issues and guardians with both a male and female.

JoAnn Hansen, Vice President of Financial Operations of YMCA said it was nice to reconnect with the foundation and be able to provide a space where the physically disabled or those with mobility issues can access with dignity.

“It is great to have someone who can assist you be allowed into that space,” she added. “We wouldn’t have been able to do this without you.”

President and CEO of YMCA, Darrell Johnson said that the YMCA is the most diverse place in the community.

“Saturday at the Y is the most integrated time in America,” Johnson said.

Johnson reflected back to Sandy and how packed the Summit YMCA had been. He added that the town really came together at the Y.

The Quality of Life Grants program started out as a small program in 1999 and evolved and grew over time, according to Donna Valente Director of Quality of Life Grants.  Over the years, the program has provided 2,055 grants totaling over $15.7 Million dollars.

“We award grants to non-profit organizations that provide services to individuals with paralysis,” it is stated on the foundation’s website. “Quality of Life grants are awarded to programs or projects that improve the daily lives of people with paralysis.”

Valente told Patch that around 314 applicants applied for grants this past cycle and only about 70 were awarded, including the Summit YMCA.

She added that before Christopher Reeve became sick, Dana Reeve was highly involved with the Quality of Life grants. “It[ the Quality of Life grant program] was her baby,” she said. “Dana was very conscious of the here and now.”

The Summit YMCA provides handicapped accessible entry to the building and pools, as well as the four newly equipped changing rooms for families that have chair accessible showers.

For more information on the Summit YMCA, visit their website and for additional information on the Quality of Life grants visit their page on the Christopher and Dana Reeve foundation website.