Representatives of the Odessa Family YMCA and Superior Healthplan cut the ribbon during ribbon-cutting ceremony of a new hygiene closet Friday morning at the YMCA. The closet which features paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, feminine products, diapers, shampoo and conditioner, will be open from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. the first Friday of every month until the end of the year. The Odessa Family YMCA will open its hygiene closet to the public for the first time on May 6. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
On Friday morning, the Odessa Family YMCA held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its hygiene closet that will be open and free to the public in two weeks.
The hygiene closet, which features paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, feminine products, diapers, shampoo and conditioner, will be open from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. the first Friday of every month until the end of the year. The Odessa Family YMCA will open its hygiene closet to the public for the first time on May 6.
Crissy Medina, the CEO of the Odessa Family YMCA, said she’s excited to bring a free hygiene closet to the community.
“There aren’t any hygiene closets that I know of in Odessa, so we are very excited about the opportunity to collaborate with Superior HealthPlan on a project like this,” Medina said. “Oftentimes, I feel like hygiene maybe gets missed sometimes. For us to be able to have that access for free for families who need it was very important and part of our mission and focus at the (YMCA).”
CEO of the Odessa Family YMCA Chrissy Medina, second from right, speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the YMCA’s new Hygiene Closet created in partnership with Superior Healthplan Friday morning in Odessa. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Though the hygiene closet will primarily be open the first Friday of every month, Community Relations Director Desiree Brito said the hygiene closet will open for emergencies.
“If there is an emergency or there is a family in need, they can call up here to the (YMCA) and we open it and get them the products that they need,” Brito said.
Medina said Superior HealthPlan approached the Odessa Family YMCA about a hygiene closet as Medina said she believed was a need for the community.
The hygiene closet is located near the main entrance of the Odessa Family YMCA.
“I wanted it to be a little bit homey,” Medina said about the hygiene closet. “I wanted it to be a little inspirational. I can’t imagine what it’s like to not have access to very important items. I wanted it to be something that they would be looking forward to coming into and not be embarrassed or ashamed to say that they need help. That was very important.”
Hygiene products such as deodorant, body wipes, lotion, shampoo, mouthwash, combs and feminine products line the shelves of a cabinet in the Superior Healthplan and Odessa Family YMCA’s new hygiene closet following its ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday afternoon at the YMCA. The closet which features paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, feminine products, diapers, shampoo and conditioner, will be open from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. the first Friday of every month until the end of the year. The Odessa Family YMCA will open its hygiene closet to the public for the first time on May 6. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
As far as the expected reception to the hygiene closet, Brito said it might take some time for it to catch on as community members might not know about it right away. Brito said it will be important for the Odessa Family YMCA to get in contact with local churches and nonprofits.
Brito echoed Medina’s sentiment that no one should feel embarrassed or ashamed for seeking out the hygiene closet.
“For as long as I’ve worked here my slogan has always been ‘We are more than just a gym. We are a family,’” Brito said. “Every person that walks through the door is treated like they are walking into my house. They are going to feel welcome. They are going to feel loved. They are going to feel seen.
“I would encourage people who do feel intimidated or embarrassed to not feel that way. You are just coming to your family’s house and we are lending a hand.”
CEO of the Odessa Family YMCA Chrissy Medina, right, speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the YMCA’s new Hygiene Closet created in partnership with Superior Healthplan Friday morning in Odessa. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Feminine hygiene products fill the a shelf of a cabinet in the Superior Healthplan and Odessa Family YMCA’s new hygiene closet following its ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday afternoon at the YMCA. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Individually wrapped toothbrushes fill the a shelf of a cabinet in the Superior Healthplan and Odessa Family YMCA’s new hygiene closet following its ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday afternoon at the YMCA. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Shampoo fills a shelf in a cabinet stocked with hygiene products in the Superior Healthplan and Odessa Family YMCA’s new hygiene closet following its ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday afternoon at the YMCA. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Scrubbing sponges, Lysol wipes and dish soap fill the shelf of a cabinet in the Superior Healthplan and Odessa Family YMCA’s new hygiene closet following its ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday afternoon at the YMCA. The closet which features paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, feminine products, diapers, shampoo and conditioner, will be open from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. the first Friday of every month until the end of the year. The Odessa Family YMCA will open its hygiene closet to the public for the first time on May 6. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
