The Perry/EA Smith - Bay Area YMCA...Is a place I can give back. 

My journey with the Y began in 2005 as a LIT (a teen volunteer: Leader in training). Although I complained to my mom that I didn't want to go the entire trip to the Post Oak YMCA (now Trotter Family Y), by the end of the day, when she picked me up, I couldn't help but tell her how much fun I'd had. So.. I kept coming back. I became a camp councilor, A Camp lead & outreach lead that worked with Theater Under the Stars & Mad Science over the summer. 

After my 2rd year before leaving for college, I stayed for a bit to help with afterschool and met Lance Henry Corbin III. He quickly became my helper in the 3rd-4th grade room! As a kindergartener, he seemed to fit right in, learning the kids names as he helped pass out afterschool snacks. He loved to help anyway he could. 

The day came, when I had to return to school and Lance was heartbroken (of course I was too). So I gave him my name tag and a pair of sunglasses and told him to hang on to hit to have when he missed seeing me at the Y and be brave. Off to school I went. 

I got a call to come home because Lance had a brain tumor and wouldn't make it. Then he asked for me to come see him...When I walked into his room and saw my YMCA name tag & in that moment I realized I would forever be a part of something greater than myself. 

Although I have the position of a Healthy Living Director since 2017, I have had the opportunity to lead/support projects such as providing a meal on Thanksgiving for our Active Older Adults, Partnering with Mounting Horizons to provide a wellness program for youth with adaptive needs, and even help our teens navigate their way through learning the history of civil rights in the US on "Freedom Tour" (summer teen trip). 

I give to the Y because, when I was a teen LIT at Trotter, I learned we are a family and so much more than a gym or a place. 

I ask that if possible, help us Be Why, someone else belongs to our family.