Growing Up at the YMCA
Our family has been a part of the MATES YMCA after school care for eight years and it has been an incredible part of our lives. We have been very thankful for the annual financial assistance we have received for the majority of those years.
Everyone has a story, and from the “outside” perspective most people would not understand why we would even be considered for assistance. However, given the chance to explain our circumstances including job loss and career challenges over the years, allowed us to have a little help, especially with having two children overlap in childcare for several years. After school childcare has been invaluable for our family, knowing our children were in a safe, comfortable space with so many aspects of engagement including homework help, art, physical activity, and just plain “fun” time. My oldest daughter even mentioned she might want to consider teaching as a profession, and has also already committed the majority of Summer 2024 to the LIT program.
Personally, I have had the privilege of seeing many of the consistent counselors grow in their own professional development and achieve next levels in their careers. Above all I consider many of them as friends who have had an incredible impact on the lives of my children, and that gratefulness is hard to put into words.