Long before I ever supported the YMCA, the YMCA supported me.

My mother was raising me on her own and needed a safe place for me while she worked. The YMCA became that place. I attended Y daycare and preschool, giving my mother peace of mind and giving me a place where I felt safe and cared for.

In fifth grade, I attended YMCA Camp Warren. I still remember canoeing, horseback riding, and the excitement of summer camp. After school, the local Y was where we went to swim, play basketball, and spend time with friends.

Those experiences were more than activities. They gave me confidence, friendships, a sense of belonging, and memories I still carry today.

The YMCA continues to provide those same opportunities for children and families throughout our community. For a working parent, it can be a trusted place for their child. For a young person, it can be where they discover a talent, make a lifelong friend, or simply find people who believe in them.

Almost everyone has a YMCA story.

Please help us give another generation the opportunity to create theirs.