(NBC 26) -- The Greater Green Bay YMCA and Manitowoc-Two Rivers YMCA said they have both made the difficult decision to temporarily lay off many employees due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 200 employees with the Manitowoc-Two Rivers YMCA have been laid off for the time being, according to a notice filed with the state. The CEO said this was not an easy decision to make and that they see their team as family.
"We will land on the other side of these turbulent waters somewhere, someday and our job right now is to make sure that when we do land, that we are strong and as capable as possible," said Julie Grossman, the CEO of Manitowoc-Two Rivers YMCA.
She said those who are not temporarily laid off are working as part of their child care for essential workers.
The Greater Green Bay YMCA released a statement which reads, in part, "The Green Bay Y has had to make the devastatingly difficult decision to lay-off 98% of its workforce. As the Y pivots, from operating facilities to providing whatever services we can, to serve the community during the COVID-19 crisis, we have had the care of the staff in the forefront of our minds."
The Greater Green Bay YMCA is offering child care to essential workers. They said they're also working on building maintenance and connecting with staff and members through social media during this time.
They said they hope they can get through this as quickly as possible and can welcome employees and members back into the facilities.
Jim Golembeski, the executive director of the Bay Area Workforce Development Board said a lot of people will be eligible for unemployment benefits. He said the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's website is a resource during this time. He said people are able to apply for unemployment benefits through an online application, and asks that people are patient as the state is busy with people applying.
For more information on applying for unemployment, click here.
For more information on the Bay Area Workforce Development Board, click here.
