[Hou-announce] IKE: YMCA opening doors for hot showers, recharging cells

[Hillary Greenslade]

Greetings, 
This was posted on another list, but thought it worth sharing to a large audience.  
cheers, Hillary
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http://blogs.chron.com/ikeanswers/2008/09/ymca_opens_facilities_to_the_p.html
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This is the latest press release from the YMCA of the Greater Houston Area:

Houston-area YMCA facilities that have power are opening their doors to the community for showers and battery charging. Even if you do not have a YMCA membership, you may go to any open YMCA and charge your cell phone and laptop or take a shower. 

So far, power has been restored to 13 YMCA facilities, 10 of which have showers available for public use. The YMCA is opening facilities daily as power is restored and damage to buildings is repaired. The following YMCAs newly opened today:


M.D. Anderson Family YMCA, 705 Cavalcade, Houston, TX - 713-697-0648

Trotter Family YMCA, 1331 Augusta Drive, Houston, TX - 713-781-1061

Westland Family YMCA, 10402 Fondren Rd., Houston, TX - 713-771-8333

The following YMCAs are also open:



Clay Road Family YMCA, 10655 Clay Road, Houston, TX - 713-467-9622

T.W. Davis Family YMCA, 911 Thompson Highway, Richmond, TX - 281-341-0791

E.A. Smith Family YMCA, 14650 Highway 3, Webster, TX - 281-486-9622

Huntsville Family YMCA, 291 Highway 75 N., Huntsville, TX, (no shower facilities at this location), 936-295-8009

Katy Family YMCA, 22807 Westheimer Parkway, Katy, TX - 281-392-5055

Langham Creek Family YMCA, 16725 Longenbaugh, Houston TX - 281-859-6143

San Jacinto Family YMCA, 1716 Jasmine, Pasadena, TX - 713-473-9441

Texas Medical Center YMCA Child Care Center, 5614 H. Mark Crosswell Jr. St., Houston, TX (no shower facilities at this location) 713-747-2173

Weekley Family YMCA, 7101 Stella Link Blvd., Houston, TX - 713-664-9622

YMCA International Services, 6300 Westpark Dr., Houston, TX (no shower facilities at this location) 713-339-9015

Alief Family YMCA, 7850 Howell-Sugarland, Houston - 281-495-9100

Cypress Creek Family YMCA, 19915 State Highway 249, Houston - 281-469-1481

South Montgomery County Family YMCA, 6145 Shadowbend Pl., The Woodlands - 281-367-9622

Northwest Family YMCA, 1234 West 34th St., Houston, 713-869-3378

Perry Family YMCA, 1700 League City Parkway, League City, 281-338-9622

People must bring their own towels, shower shoes and toiletries to use showers; YMCA facilities are unable to provide those items. All children (15 years of age or younger) entering YMCA facilities must be accompanied by an adult, without exception.

Cell phones or other items needing to be charged may not be left unattended. The YMCA cannot be responsible for lost or damaged items. Special thanks to Reliant Energy, who will be providing power strips to the YMCA for this effort.


Hours at each location vary based on area curfews and staff availability. Please contact your local YMCA for individual hours. 

Current YMCA members are welcome to use any open facility until their home YMCA reopens. The YMCA plans to reopen more facilities each day as power is restored and damage is repaired at each location. The majority of the YMCA of Greater Houston's facilities were damaged and/or left without power after the storm. 

The Galveston Family YMCA, located at 3920 Avenue L, has been severely damaged. HVAC ventilation units were destroyed and playground equipment is now on the roof. Workers could not enter the facility to fully assess damage; however, the building sustained massive flooding.

The Galveston Family YMCA was recently renovated and dedicated in March, bringing broad services to the island community. It is the oldest YMCA in Texas.

We will send new YMCA center opening information to the media each day. Also, the YMCA of Greater Houston website is being updated daily. Please log on to www.ymcahouston.org for more information.