Andrew Bobbitt, CEO of Saratoga Regional YMCA
Andrew Bobbitt is the CEO of the Saratoga Regional YMCA.
1. What is Saratoga Regional YMCA?
“SRY is a local volunteer lead 154-year old not-for-profit charitable organization chartered with the national YMCA of the USA organization whose mission is to build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Most people think of us as the place people go for a swim, gym and child care, but that’s just a small fraction of what we offer and what we do.”
2. What is your role at this organization?
“Just finishing my third year here as CEO. I have been with the YMCA now for 27 years and can’t imagine any other career than this. Part of a great team of staff and volunteers who truly care about how they can make a difference in the community they have been called to serve.”
3. How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected Saratoga Regional YMCA’s programs?
“The short answer is it’s been devasting. We have been able to work some behind the scenes to serve the community online but much of what we do occurs in person at one of our 17 program sites, which have been closed now going on three months. It caused a 90% decrease in revenues while expenses maintained at 35% even with 98% of our staff furloughed. The good news is we will start opening in many stages beginning June 15 with our Early Learning Center in Malta.”
4. How can community members help Saratoga Regional YMCA perform its mission during this time?
“Many members and staff have already helped during our closure in one of our food and hygiene drives that benefited seven local partner charities with nearly 20,000 pounds of donated goods. Currently we are raising funds at srymca.org to help offset the increased costs we will now have in providing summer child care as we begin to reopen.”
5. What is your goal for the future of Saratoga Regional
YMCA?
“Four months ago, I would have given you a much different answer but now our short-term goal is to open while keeping all members and staff safe. From there we will look to rebuild back to pre-COVID levels, which will take time before we continue with our efforts of implementing our well-laid strategic plan to expand and deepen our impact to all within our community.”