 Support – Sometimes the need is financial. Sometimes the need
is a family of friends to rely on. For the YMCA, both are important parts
of
how we make our communities stronger.
In the following letter, Denise, a long-time fundraising volunteer and
YMCA member, shares how “her YMCA family” provided strength
to herself and her son in a time of crisis.
I have been involved with the Partner with Youth Saddleback Valley Campaign
for over eight years helping families who were in need of assistance.
I did not know that one day I would be one of those families.
My involvement with the YMCA started in 1998 when we enrolled my son,
Christopher, in the YMCA’s after school child care program at Las
Flores Elementary. Over the years he has also gone to YMCA day camps and
residence camps.
A little over two years ago, I made the decision to leave my husband.
Working full time and now financially single, I was very concerned about
how I would be able to continue to have my 10-year-old son remain in child
care at the Y. My husband was a bit reckless with our finances and there
was no money for me to fall back on. At the time, he was in-between jobs
and had no income to help with the daily expenses for our son, let alone
child care.
A good friend that worked for the Y suggested I apply for financial assistance.
It was very hard to admit that I needed financial help from anyone.
I was truly grateful to the YMCA. Knowing that this part of my son's
life was not going to be interrupted was a relief. I was able to go to
work without worrying about his safety after school, or the friendships
he would be leaving behind.
I had to rely on the Y for financial assistance for a bit over a year.
During that time, the YMCA also granted assistance so my son was able
to attend residence camp again. The excitement on his face when he learned
he could go to camp was priceless!
Last summer right before school started, my son lost his father. I was
beside myself trying to handle the arrangements with Christopher in the
house. This was one thing he did not need to be involved in.
I went over to the Las Flores Child Care Center to let Kelly, the director,
know that my son had lost his dad. Although my son was now in middle school,
he would stop by often to say hi on his way home and I wanted to let her
know what happened.
After telling her my dilemma of having to try to keep my son away from
watching me make the funeral arrangements, she offered to have him hang
out at the Y for a couple of days.
I can't tell you how appreciative I was for that. It was huge! Knowing
that my son was going to be able to hang out with his friends, having
some normalcy and not having to worry about what his mom was doing was
overwhelming. Once again, my Y family was there for me to rely on.
Since I'm not the best in talking in front of everyone, I wrote this
down for someone to read. I can't begin to express how grateful I am for
the support that I have received front the YMCA over the last two years!
A HUGE THANK YOU for letting me be able to be a part of what Campaign
sponsors.
Regards,
Denise
Each year, your donations allow the YMCA to be able to provide financial
assistance to over 736 families that would otherwise not be able to afford
YMCA after school child care and other YMCA programs. |
