By By Arthur McLean
The Atmore YMCA has entered into a temporary management contract with the Mobile chapter.
The agreement, slated to last six months, will give the Atmore chapter access to a larger management base for some additional management help in the immediate future, said Josh Godwin, the Atmore YMCA's programs director.
"We plan to take advantage of some of their expertise and the amount of manpower they can offer us," Godwin said. "This is just a temporary measure as we move forward with the Y."
Earlier in the year, the YMCA took possession of the community center when it was donated to them by the Atmore Lions Club. Those added responsibilities and the small size of the Atmore YMCA put it in the position to seek some outside assistance.
"There is a great need for financial backing for this building," Hammons said. "The community is asked to step up and make donations to the YMCA to help keep this historical building a part of our community."
Deborah Hammons, a member of the Atmore YMCA's board of directors had this to say about the agreement. "This agreement will give the existing staff a management team to help with re-organizing and re-structuring the staff and financial status of the Atmore YMCA. The agreement made is with the YMCA of South Alabama, INC, (formerly known as the YMCA of Metropolitan Mobile, Inc.)"
"It is becoming increasingly harder for smaller-sized YMCA's to support themselves economically," said Seth Dettling board chairman in an August interview with the Advance.
"The larger YMCAs have support from other organizations allowing them to have access to people that have more experience with the YMCA. This is one thing that we have to weigh when deciding on what course of action to take once an official resignation has been given," Dettling said.
Josh Godwin, no relation to Terry Godwin, said the Mobile chapter is large enough that it has full-time support staff that should make things easier for the Atmore chapter's leaders in the coming months.
"The existing staff currently employed with the Atmore YMCA will remain in their current positions," Hammons said. "YMCA members and new members will still find the same friendly faces and same outstanding programs as before, and will also find some added improvements and changes as time progresses."
The Board of Directors strongly encourages the Atmore Community to get involved with the YMCA. The YMCA is one of the largest After-School and Summer Day Camp programs in this area. The YMCA offers a comprehensive wellness center, Aerobics Classes at several times during the day, numerous Youth Sports Programs, Gymnastics, Baton Lessons, and many other things for the youngest person to the oldest.