The Y's mission is to promote healthy spirit, mind and body for all. At the Community Development Y, that means ensuring everyone graduates high school ready for the next step in their lives. People who graduate high school experience better physical health, are more likely to earn a living wage and strengthen our community by sharing their education with their children, co-workers and others. Xiomauria, Zoey to her family and friends, is just one of the more than 1,000 youth and teens that benefit from Y programs. She improved her reading in YRead, learned to manage her emotions in Fitness for Youth, started swimming in Safety Around Water, made friends at day camp and learned about the outdoors at overnight camp at Trout Lodge.

Zoey has enthusiasm for learning and plans for her future. She said, "I love art, drawing, skating, swimming, reading, going camping, playing basketball, scrapbooking, gardening, fishing and gymnastics. I also love helping other kids and teaching them about mental health and how to talk about their big emotions. I want to be a lawyer one day and help people in a different way."

Whether it is supporting moms in transitional housing learning parenting skills, providing tutoring in reading, exposing middle schoolers to STEAM careers, or engaging teens in leadership development, the Community Development Y is there to ensure youth have what they need to thrive in school. Please help us continue to invest in families and the future of our region by supporting high-quality education for all.