facts, not fear

Our update on COVID-19

Updated June 9 | To the Metro Detroit Youth Clubs community:

Beginning with the first week of the state’s shutdown due to COVID-19, MDYC has been working with our Club members every week to provide them with the support these unprecedented times require. MDYC has delivered mentoring programs, educational support, social recreation, basic needs assessments including providing access to food and financial resources, emotional support and connections that translate into positive mental health strategies, support for our graduating seniors who are taking next steps towards college and experiences that provided the basics of fun and laughter. We also witnessed too many of our Club members who lost parents, grandparents and relatives during this time. We witnessed Club members lose all of the adults within their household. The grief and loss our Club members have experienced will require ongoing support. These times are incredibly disruptive for our Club members.

Most recently, we have provided on-going support and connection for our Club members as they march towards true equality and systemic change. At Metro Detroit Youth Clubs, one of our core values is our pride in our inclusivity and diversity. We lift up all voices and we reject agendas that look to suppress them.

Currently, MDYC is closed under the Governor’s Executive Order. Last week’s order related to Day Camps opened “outdoor” day camps only. The MDYC team is launching programs for our Club members focused on literacy support, social recreation and teen leadership programs – all at no cost. These summer programs will be in place until the Governor’s Orders allow us to reopen. When the new order does allow us to reopen, we will provide communication and a timeline that allows us to implement the protocols that will align with the best practices established by the CDC and health departments. Our Club members and their family’s health along with the health of our staff and volunteers is our first priority.

We are looking forward to being able to serve our Club members in person once again. These last few months have revealed the exceptional nature and resilience of our Club members. We have been inspired by their determination, openness and desire to help others. These times will never be forgotten. We will never forget how our Club members rose to the challenge and never lost sight of their goals to learn, grow, lead and succeed. We will keep you updated as we are able to move forward.

What Can You Do?

Each of us can do our part in response to this latest health concern. At this time, it does not appear that children are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19. However, children and adults should engage in usual preventive actions listed below to avoid infection, including:

Wash your hands

Wash your hands often with soap and water (20 seconds of scrubbing). Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

Do not touch

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, which accelerates the spread of infections. Instead of shaking hands, consider an alternative: a wave, a nod or an elbow bump.

Good health hygiene

Cough/sneeze into a tissue. Dispose of used tissues immediately into a trash can. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze into the crook of your elbow, not your hands.

Monitor how you feel

Avoid close contact with others who are sick. If you are sick, stay home and avoid contact with others, including parties, meetings, and events. We are all in this together.

We are guided by MDYC’s Core Values. Our values inspire us to Innovate Through Mission.

At Metro Detroit Youth Clubs, our North Star is our youth. We provide quality programs serving the youth that need us most. Our promise as an organization is to provide a safe and accessible space where transformation can occur. Building on mission, our Core Values highlight 9 core areas of focus that differentiate and define what we do.

Serving youth in Detroit, Ferndale, Royal Oak, Southfield and Washington Township, MDYC’s approach is to help our members learn, grow, lead, and succeed.