Parma And YMCA Partner To Keep Services Local

View Image Gallery

While the news of the closing of the Ridgewood YMCA is disappointing for Parma residents, there is a silver lining of sorts for members of the Parma Senior Center and hopefully for other residents as well. 

The YMCA is exploring several options to continue to provide programs and services in the City of Parma. The organization has announced that the majority of its senior-related programming will move to the Parma Senior Center, located at 7001 West Ridgewood Drive behind City Hall. Their hope is an August launch of those programs, which will include the Silver Sneakers program. 

The YMCA, which has been a part of the Parma community since 1971, will provide the same instructors who have been leading the programs at the Ridgewood branch. “With open arms we welcome back our dear instructor Jeannie Sutak,” Senior Center Director Jo Ann Mason said. “Jeannie taught here many years, and we are thrilled to have her back.” 

Another bright spot in the YMCA’s transition of senior programming to the Senior Center is that a room with exercise equipment will be brought in for the senior’s use. The room will be staffed with YMCA older adult exercise specialists whenever the Center is open. 

It is also a possibility that the YMCA will maintain a Parma presence with a “Y Express” facility. Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter said, “We have suggested to the YMCA that we’d very much like to have a Y Express open for our residents’ convenience, and the city’s Community Development office has assisted the YMCA with suggestions for that purpose. So, even though the YMCA will be gone from its previous brick-and-mortar home, we are looking forward to assisting the YMCA to have a continued presence here in Parma.”