'In a community where access to health care is a challenge and where we see increasingly problematic addiction issues, this is a devastating blow'
SooToday received the following open letter to MP Terry Sheehan, MPP Ross Romano and Mayor Matthew Shoemaker. It was written by Patricia Zehr, a retired doctor, and Mark Jenkins, a family physician at the Group Health Centre.The YMCA provides a healthy third space for individuals of all ages, during an era when this is becoming increasingly rare,and is invaluable to so many in our community.
There is no other centre with the infrastructure or capacity to accommodate all the seniors programs, with the innumerable benefits of wellness and socialization. The same can be said for the activities of the adult enrichment centre. The sudden closure of the daycare will leave many working parents without child care.
It was a complete shock to find out that we will lose this valuable community hub in under 30 days. The sudden cessation of all programs will have serious consequences for the Sault. The community was not told about the issues and therefore was unable to be a part of the solution. We are asking for financial assistance to keep the YMCA running longer while the stakeholders have a chance to look at short-term fundraising and develop a long-term plan for a new sustainable location.
In a community where access to health care is a challenge and where we see increasingly problematic addiction issues, this is a devastating blow. Individuals who are already marginalized will become more so. As physicians, we ask for your help to move forward to try to maintain and increase our community’s health and wellness.
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