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By LAURA DEJEAN, Special to the Daily Transcript
Tuesday, September 10, 2002
"The impact of the 9/11 attacks on the United States has certainly left a permanent mark and new degree of uncertainties in our society and throughout the world," said Richard Collato, president of the YMCA of San Diego County. In response to last year's terrorist attacks, the YMCA provided a haven for the community, particularly young people, by offering after-school programs and grief counseling, and stepping up community outreach. Programs were developed to help young people cope with confusion and fears about safety and the possibilities of going to war, topics that were virtually unnecessary for the YMCA to focus on before 9/11.
But, the YMCA suffered setbacks as a result of the terrorist attacks, as well -- the type of difficulties facing many nonprofit organizations since 9/11, fund raising.
"As a result of 9/11, the instability of the stock market and the uncertainties of the economy, fund raising has become a bit more of a challenge, especially associated with larger multiyear capital development fund-raising needs," Collato said.
As a result of the roller-coaster economy over the past year, organizations like the YMCA have witnessed an overall decline in charitable giving, and that hurts an organization's ability to serve the community.
Collato is pleased to say that the YMCA has maintained its programming in lieu of the decline in financial contributions to the organization. "The YMCA has been able to conduct business as usual throughout the community even during these difficult times," he said.
In a year when many have been forced to alter or even abandon their motivations, Collato and the YMCA of San Diego County have managed to remain true to their mission in this post-9/11 era: "to improve the quality of human life for all people through development of the spirit, mind and body."
Richard Collato's focus is strong, as is the YMCA.
Desjean is a free-lance writer based in Encinitas.
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