news-record.com

The president of the YWCA board of directors said Tuesday she believes the financially troubled nonprofit can be saved.

“I think the YWCA is going to survive,” said Judi Rossabi, who took over the board leadership late last year. “(But) we have to change the way we do things in the current economic situation we are in. Everybody is working to keep the place alive.”

In late November, the YW failed to make its payroll and faced a debt of more than $100,000.

Rossabi said YWCA members would meet today to put together a transition team that would bring together legal, financial, marketing and programming experts.

“This is going beyond our scope to bring in some fresh energy and fresh perspective,” Rossabi said. “We want them to make recommendations ... and provide vision for where we go next.”

The board also will meet Thursday to talk about the future of the heated, indoor pool. The options include closing it temporarily, curtailing its use or figuring out how to keep it operating on its current schedule.

On other matters, Rossabi said the YW:

• Has found no buyers for its downtown building, which is outdated and costly to operate. Leaders want to sell the building and lease it back from a new owner until the YW can find a new home.
• Raised about $12,000 in its ongoing, fundraising campaign.
• Met its December payroll, but has had little success in reducing its debt. “It’s still about the same,” Rossabi said of what the YW owes. “We’ve been cutting back and being careful not to spend money.”

Contact Donald W. Patterson at 373-7027 or don.patterson@news-record.com.