Nearly a decade ago, I was a single mother, recently graduated from university, without a job and relying on family support to get by. When I was finally offered a full-time, entry-level position at a marketing firm, I was thrilled, yet overwhelmed. I had no child care arranged, I was still waiting for subsidy approval, and I didn’t have the upfront funds required to pay full-price child care while waiting for my first paycheque. What should have been a moment of hope quickly became a source of uncertainty and stress.
In that moment, the YMCA stepped in.
I found myself in a meeting with Kelly, the camp administration manager, and after explaining my situation (there were tears involved, I was that stressed), she responded with words I will never forget: “We got you.” And they did. My child was enrolled in summer camp at Centre Branch, I received the subsidy support I needed, and the Y arranged for my contributions to begin only once I was receiving income. Without that support, I may not have been able to accept the job that ultimately launched my career.
Today, in a full-circle moment, I work for the YMCA in the MarComm department; an opportunity that might never have been possible without the help I received all those years ago. That experience shaped my life, and it’s a constant reminder of the profound impact this organization has on individuals and families every day.
This is why I now give. My monthly contribution is modest, and I hardly notice it in my budget, but I feel immense pride knowing it helps create opportunities for others, just as the Y created one for me. You never know the difference your support will make. It may open a door, sustain a family, or quite literally change the trajectory of someone’s life.