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YMCA programs budding in Laurel By SUZANNE KYDLAND Of The Gazette Staff A community YMCA is about a great deal more than the building. Just ask Donna Hirt – she’s in the process of bringing one into Laurel.
“At this point, it’s a storefront branch,” Hirt said. “We’re what’s called a non-facility YMCA, which basically means we don’t have a building yet.” So Hirt, who has more than 20 years of experience with the Billings Family YMCA, is sharing an office with a Laurel insurance agent.
A YMCA foundationBefore a Y is started in a community, Hirt explained, an assessment is done to evaluate that community’s needs. In the case of Laurel, it was established that a Y would meet the most needs because of its family focus.The project has already been in the works for a handful of years. “Laurel is actually three years ahead of schedule,” Hirt said. “They’re very anxious to have us there.” Bringing the Y to Laurel has required both the Billings Y and the National YMCA to become involved, Hirt explained. After additional fund-raising efforts by the city of Laurel, Hirt was hired as executive director of the new Y just this year. She competed with a dozen candidates for the job. “I think I was ready for a change, something new and some different responsibilities,” she said. “And this is definitely a change and a challenge.” So far, Hirt said, the community enthusiasm has been great. After the space was volunteered for her temporary office, a desk and furniture were donated. Then a desk chair was given. Later came the computer – yet another donation. “All the businesses have been very supportive, also,” Hirt said. “This community is working very hard to get us there – and keep us there.” Hirt has found some viable solutions to the “no-facility dilemma.” Swimming lessons are taught in the pool of the local Super 8 Motel, and the public school buildings are used to house after-school activities. A few programs, such as flag football and youth basketball, had previously been installed by the Billings Y, Hirt said. Now, she’s just expanding the curriculum. “We want to do all the programs that we do in Billings,” she said. “There’s a need for all of them in Laurel, too.”
New programsHirt explained that Adventure Camp and Games in the Park are two programs that the Laurel Y was able to offer for kids this past summer. Other events, such as a babysitting clinic, a cheerleading clinic and a makeup/hair clinic, are in the works. Hirt is also planning several overnight getaways for elementary and middle-school kids.
Because she’s the only paid staff member, Hirt has come to rely on volunteers to help with the Y programs. “This is where our funding is tight, and we have to use the volunteer population,” she said. “And the folks in Laurel are beginning to step up and volunteer.” Even the swimming instructor is a trained volunteer. While Hirt is busy installing all the Y-based programs she can, plans are being made for a building. Hirt said the city of Laurel recently gave an 8-acre site, located on the east side of town, for the cause. The city is also interested in helping out with an on-site pool. Soccer fields, basketball hoops and a portable skate park for inline skating are also being looked into. Hirt hopes the building will be up in five years.
From Billings to LaurelHirt’s responsibilities are divided between the Laurel Y and the Billings location. Her main focus, though, is to make sure the Laurel programs get up and running. In Billings, she works with some of the special Y programs available to families. She’s also the Westfield Aquatic Coordinator for the region, which includes Montana, Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon and California. As coordinator, she helps make decisions about aquatics nationwide.Yet her challenge still lies in Laurel, where, each day, Hirt sees a community rallying together. “This is a very fun little town. Our Y was honored during the fireworks this last 4th of July, and we’re already starting to plan our Christmas float,” she said. “This first year has been about finding out how much people want us here and what we can do for them.”
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