According to a social media post by The Greenville YMCA, the YMCA of Greenville and Hunt County announced that it will cease all operations, including its facility on Stanford Street in Greenville, on Dec. 30, 2017. The YMCA intends to dissolve as an organization. The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas will assume the operation of the after-school program in Greenville and Sulphur Springs starting Jan. 3, 2018. Both Y’s are working together to find a new site for the afterschool program currently held at the Greenville Y.
Sulphur Springs Independent School District officials do not have all the information regarding the changes at this time.
“This is a very difficult time for everyone associated with our Y,” said Troy Brakefield, chief volunteer officer of the local YMCA. “We instituted changes, but unfortunately, we have not been able to generate financial resources necessary to sustain our YMCA over the long term.” Fundraising efforts have not generated enough resources, membership and program participation are declining, and the YMCA lacks the capital to make additional facility repairs and improvements.
The YMCA of Greenville and Hunt County served approximately 3,000 members in 2017. Two full-time staff and 15 part-time staff will end employment due to the YMCA’s closing. “We are grateful this much-needed program will continue,” said Brakefield. “The YMCA of Metro Dallas has an exceptional program, and our current afterschool staff will continue in their positions as employees of the Dallas Y.” Holiday camp for children ages 5 to 12 will proceed as scheduled Dec. 27–29 and Jan. 2-3. “Our YMCA has had the privilege of serving the children, families and communities of Greenville for 122 years,” Brakefield said. “We are grateful for the support we have received from our members, participants, volunteers, donors, and partners. The board also wants to thank Christa Compton and her staff. They have done everything in their power to keep our YMCA going. We deeply regret the closing of the Y for all the people involved.”
