By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
The YMCA of Rowan County corporate office started the month off in a new building, one formerly used by Rowan Homes.
A staff of six will use the building, located at 215 Guffy St., off South Main Street.
“We’re very excited. It was property that was donated,” said YMCA CEO Jamie Morgan. The staff moved last week, Morgan said.
He said the organization was renting a space off Faith Road. When Rowan Homes dissolved, its board of directors looked for a nonprofit agency to move into the facility.
Morgan said Rowan Homes felt the Y closely matched its own mission, to serve adults with developmental disabilities. The YMCA of Rowan County houses the county’s Special Olympics at the Hurley Family YMCA and Godstock at the South Rowan YMCA.
The YMCA agreed to offer perpetual memberships to the 33 Rowan Homes’ residents at no charge and to provide an office in the facility until Rowan Homes is officially dissolved.
The facility is slightly more than 3,000 square feet.
Morgan said he and the staff are thankful for the donation and hope to be good stewards of Rowan Homes generosity.
He said they know it was important to Rowan Homes’ board of directors that the facility continue to be used “for the betterment of the community, and we fully intend to do just that.”
Also donated to the YMCA were two 15-passenger vans, furnishings, a walk-in refrigerator and freezer, a washer and dryer and kitchen equipment.
Morgan said the YMCA will use what they’ve been given. Whatever they are not able to use, they will donate to other agencies.
“This tremendous gift allows the YMCA, a United Way Member agency, to continue using its existing resources to impact thousands of lives in Rowan County,” Morgan said.