Palisades YMCA Executive Director Jim Kirtley holds up a new baby onesie that is available to fire victims. There is also clothing for adults and children.
The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles is offering free membership for 2025 to those who have lost their homes or residences in the wildfire. And for those who were impacted, there is subsidized membership. This extends not only to Y members, but to everyone affected by the fires.
Jim Kirtley, who is the executive director of the Palisades YMCA, showed this editor around the Collins & Katz YMCA, which is located near University High School. Right now he’s splitting his time between the Wilmington Y and Collins & Katz. “I’m still doing everything Palisades,” Kirtley said.
The Collins & Katz Director Aaron Donohue said that many Palisadians are taking advantage of the free membership at this Y—which has a swimming pool, several workout rooms, a room for weights, and one for aerobic exercise – and the option for pickleball on the roof.
“We have people coming in every day and signing up for programs,” Donohue said. “If someone has lost their home, membership is at no cost – and you didn’t even have to be a Y member.”
This editor signed up by giving her address, and will now be able to use any of the 28 Metropolitan YMCA’s, which includes Culver City, Westchester and for those living in the South Bay, the Torrance YMCA.
“Every Y is housing two Y’s now,” Kirtley said, “Theirs and the Palisades.”
Free membership is just the beginning of what the Y is offering to fire victims. There is free childcare, before and after school. Preschool is offered to parents struggling to balance rebuilding and work. Children affected by the fires will receive priority placement in youth programs. There is free Y summer day camp and a free sleepaway camp.
At the Collin & Katz entrance off Westgate (and I’ve been told other Y’s also have this program), there is a popup with supplies given to people. Some of the items include underwear (for adults and children), socks, soap, toiletries (toothpaste, deodorant, skin care, tampons), clothing, Kleenex, toilet paper, diapers – adult and baby, and wipes.
Residents can ask for what they need and the Y will try to get the item.
“If you need something specific, let us know and we’ll put it up on the board,” Kirtley said, adding that volunteers will try to find it and bring it to the Y.
Kirtley showed a “Baby to Baby” bag, which is essentially a travel bag for a little kid and included a stuffed animal, food, and other necessities. It is a free item to those who might need it.
This baby bag is available at Y’s for parents.
And if you know anyone who is pregnant and plans to nurse, they have supplies of nursing pillows, and also little kid blankets.
Kirtley was asked how long the Y plans to continue this “pop-up.”
“As long as there is a need, we’ll keep it going,” he said and noted that the Y is also offering free mental health services.
When the fire disrupted Palisades High School, it’s youth and government program continued, meeting at the Colins and Katz Y. A delegation of 68 PaliHi kids traveled to Sacramento over Presidents Day Weekend. Delegate Ashton Adibi, beat out 14 other candidates to run for governor, barely losing the final election.
Others who secured a spot were Lily Nourafchan, who became the national assembly deputy chief; Shana Soleimani, who won the constitutional convention clerk; and Leah Farzam who was elected legislative houses presiding officer.
Kirtley was asked if the Pumpkin Patch or the Christmas Tree Lot would be back in Simon Meadow this year, even if there were no Y building. “If its safe, we’ll do it. We need to know if the community wants it.”
The Palisades Malibu YMCA on Via de la Paz was destroyed in the fire. Are there plans to rebuild?
“Plans are underway,” Kitley said. “The Y is a foundation piece of the Palisades and because of that we need to rebuild.”
He said, “I can’t guarantee what it will look like, but I will guarantee it will be there.”
Victor Dominguez, the President & CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, said “We are part of the very fabric of our communities. There was no question for us to put our resources behind helping our neighbors to rebuild and restore their lives.”
Fire victims are given a Y membership and allowed to use other Y’s such as the Collin & Katz YMCA.
(Editor’s note: A shout out to the Y for not only offering free memberships, but also food supplies and support for families with small children. This editor is particularly impressed because this nonprofit is truly reaching out to all people affected. If your home was destroyed, or if you were impacted, stop by a Y and let them help you.)
Thank you Sue for reporting on this Palisades institution. And thank you Jim for caring so deeply for Palisadians. We look forward to the rebuild!