Annette DeMeo daughters, Marchella and Valentina, attend the West Essex YMCA’s School Age Child Care Program at Washington Elementary School in West Caldwell, and also attended Super Summer Camp in 2021 at the West Essex Y. The YMCA was able to provide financial assistance through the Y for All Fund to help cover the cost of child care and camp. The Y for All Fund, made possible through generous community donations, helps keep Y programs and services affordable for all.
My husband Brian passed away in a tragic car accident on Aug. 16, 2020. Brian was the most involved dad there could ever be. Because of our work hours, he was always the one that dropped the girls off at school and picked them up every day. When Brian passed away so suddenly, besides the grief, I was completely lost as far as caring for the girls. School started in only two weeks and I had no idea what I was going to do when I had to go back to work. On top of immeasurable sadness and grief, I had to also figure out how to care for my girls alone AND in a pandemic. I was so overwhelmed. That is when the principal of their school put me in contact with the YMCA.
I was not only worried about the logistics of handling the girls' school days all alone, I was also worried about being able to afford the care they needed now that I was an ONLY parent. The Y team immediately came to the rescue and not only guided me through every step of the process, providing care for the girls every single day so that I could return to work, but they also worked with me to be sure I would be able to afford the care they needed. I can't put into words how much weight was lifted for me. The directors of the program always kept me in the loop about the Vacation Camp day program, summer camps, etc. I truly feel that the team at the Y really cared for our family. They continued to always go out of their way to make sure we were OK and the girls had everything they needed.
The girls were lucky enough to be able to also enjoy the Super Summer Camp, which they loved. Since Brian has passed, the girls have had a hard time being away from me - but they couldn't wait to get to camp! The minute they got in the car they would start excitedly telling me about everything they got to do that day at camp. Even showing up in the morning, the energy the counsellors had, the fun environment they created just for drop off with music playing, dancing, it was so much fun for them! The Y made it possible for me to return back to work so that I could provide for my girls. Without them, I truly do not know what I would have done.
Being an only parent now, I have some separation anxiety when it comes to the girls but I can tell you that I consider the Y team like family. I know the girls are so well cared for every single day, which allows me to concentrate at work- which is important because I am a nurse caring for others all day. I know they care for my girls and our family tremendously and I will forever be grateful for everything they have done for us. I will never forget their generosity. Thank you!