Shawn Nowlin
shawn.nowlin@ourvalley.org
On August 6 and August 8, the Salem YMCA will be looking to fill various childcare positions during a virtual job fair.
This Thursday and Saturday, the YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge will be offering a virtual job fair for employers to connect with individuals who are actively seeking work in the area. All four of the Y’s region locations – Roanoke, Salem, Daleville and Lexington – have part and full-time positions that need to be filled.
Individuals interested in positions like childcare site director, childcare program lead and childcare program aid are strongly encouraged to apply.
“We are looking for role models for our children – individuals that are engaging and have a love for working with kids,” Brittany Madonna, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, said. “Our Childcare Virtual Job Fair is a great opportunity to not only learn about our various employment opportunities, but also how working in our program can make a difference in the life of a child. In these uncertain times, we need our community to pull together to be there for our youth and help them succeed.”
The virtual job fair comes during a period when August rent is due and unemployment benefits are expiring. According to Ellen Marie Hess, Commissioner of the Virginia Employment Commission, one in five workers in Virginia has been impacted by the economic fallout of COVID-19. Since the start of 2020, more than one million unemployment claims have been filed by Virginians.
In March, the Y started providing emergency childcare for working families at the Salem, Kirk, Botetourt and Rockbridge locations. At the end of May, the Y kicked off its summer camp program which will last until children return to school.
“With the start of the school year looking very different than in years past, we realized that childcare was going to be a great need. We have been making plans to adapt our after school program to meet the needs of our participants and families, which ultimately requires more staff and additional hours outside of our normal operations,” Madonna said.
The Y is following guidelines set forth by the Virginia Health Department and state and local officials. Due to these guidelines, children will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. Daycare at the Salem YMCA is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“We have had to adapt to the ‘new normal’ as have many organizations in our area,” Madonna said. “We have new cleaning routines, protocols to assist with physical distancing and limited activities to ensure a healthy and safe environment.”
The Y is currently offering a signing bonus for licensed childcare positions. For more information, including how to register for the virtual job fair, visit ymcavbr.org.
