To JCC members and families,
Thank you for your patience over the past two weeks. While this time has been painful and frightening, it has also revealed the depth of our relationships and our commitment to one another.
I’ve watched my own children smile with delight when they see their teachers on Storypark. I’ve seen JCC Kids group leaders design a virtual talent show for students. I’ve watched our aquatics staff come in daily to ensure that the pool chemicals are balanced and the pool is brushed. I’ve been inspired by the creativity, positivity, and dedication our team has shown. Our staff are the backbone of everything we do.
The Asheville JCC believes that it is our duty to continue to compensate our professional and committed staff team for as long as we reasonably can. This aligns with the values that we teach our children at the JCC, the values of G’milut Chasadim (the giving of loving kindness) and Kavod (honor and respect). As you’ve already seen, our incredible staff are offering continued and meaningful interactions with you and your families–from book readings and scavenger hunts, to personal phone calls and “no contact” challah deliveries–they are here for you. Now, we ask that you join us to be here for them, too, not only for the immediate situation, but so we can build a strong foundation for continued service when the threat of COVID-19 has dissipated.
Because of this commitment to our valued staff team during a time of crisis, we are not offering refunds or deferrals of March tuition/fees. However, if COVID-19 has created an unforeseen financial hardship for your family, please contact our finance office at stephanie@jccavldev.wpengine.com to request support from our new Emergency Support Fund, for which we are actively fundraising. Just as we want to be here for our staff in this time of need, we want to be here for you.
With public health and government guidance changing hourly, we are waiting to see what is to come in April and potentially beyond. While we don’t have those answers yet, we do know that our JCC Kids group leaders, Shalom teachers, aquatics team, and JCC members and families are the heart of “the J.” We are therefore creating an Emergency Support Fund that can be used to both support member families in need of tuition assistance as well as to sustain staff compensation in this time of great need.
Please consider converting your regular April tuition/fee payment to a tax-deductible donation to our new Emergency Support Fund. As a nonprofit organization, we cannot fund these needs without a majority of our community’s participation. Your support will be part of our organization-wide fundraising effort to sustain staff members during our facility closure and to assist families who may need March tuition support. Your contribution will help us continue to keep our strong and vibrant community together.
Please use the buttons above to indicate your preference for April’s tuition and fees, or contact the finance department at stephanie@jccavldev.wpengine.com to process another amount for April. We request a response no later than noon on Monday, March 30, 2020. If we do not hear from you by March 30, we will process your April tuition and fees and allocate it to the JCC’s new Emergency Support Fund. At this time, your child’s spot at Shalom Children’s Center, JCC Kids enrollment, and future pool membership status are not dependent on your preference for April’s tuition/fees. As with everything else related to COVID-19, this will be reassessed depending on the length of the closure and at least monthly.
Although we don’t know the time horizon, we are committed to providing you with ongoing, quality service during our closure. Our board is striving to fully compensate our staff members for as long as possible. The only way we can do this is with your help.
We will be there for you and your family in every way possible in the weeks and months ahead. As we see financial hardships caused by a society shutting down, know that case by case, we will work with each and every one of you who may face financial issues. Together, let’s teach the next generation our values of love and friendship, of community.
L’Shalom,
Ashley Lasher, Executive Director
Carol Wenom, Board President