YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas announces layoffs, furloughs

The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas announced April 24 the furlough of 105 staff members and the permanent layoffs of 41 staffers across its roughly 20 locations.

This is the first time the YMCA has had to shut its doors in the 135 years it has served the Dallas area, according to a letter from Curt Hazelbaker, president and CEO of the YMCA Metropolitan Dallas. The furloughs and layoffs are due to the economic burden of the coronavirus pandemic, the letter stated.

“The YMCA relies on membership and program dues along with donations as primary revenue sources,” Hazelbaker said in the letter. “Projections show revenue will continue to be impacted through the remainder of the year.”

The YMCA is hopeful that furloughed staff will be able to be brought back soon after the YMCA is able to reopen, Hazelbaker said.

Since closing YMCA locations around Dallas in mid-March, the nonprofit has begun offering emergency child care services at six locations, including its Plano, Richardson, McKinney and Coppell locations. The YMCA has offered food distribution, blood drives and services for checking in on seniors as well as virtual programs for students from preschool through high school during the pandemic.

More information on the YMCA’s closure can be found here.