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. I have been a literacy tutor for the Community Development Y (a Y without a building) since 2018, helping at the annual book sale since 2019 (discontinued in 2023) and have been on the Board since 2022. What we do as a board is support 5 under-resourced Ys (with buildings) in the St. Louis area. These buildings are Safe Places where people can go to learn, exercise, make friends, gain leadership skills, and maybe even get their first job. Since moving back to St. Louis, I've had the opportunity to meet many amazing people who enrich my life in ways I never imagined. Please join me in supporting their mission and give hope to the families who struggle to survive in this fraught time in the U.S. and here at home. Thanks for helping keep me off the streets! If you decide to come visit you can meet my new Service dog!