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“If not for the YMCA’s Help, I Could Not Afford to Work”
YMCA Child Care kidsJeri Boykin is a single mother who is passionate about her work as a caregiver to medically fragile patients. When she spoke about a patient who may soon pass away, Jeri was moved to tears. “I love my work,” she told the 50+ people who attended a Beach Cities YMCA meeting, “but if not for the YMCA’s help, I could not afford to work.”

When her two sons were younger, she barely earned enough money to make ends meet, let alone pay for quality child care. Fortunately, she was eligible to receive financial assistance from the YMCA, which enabled her sons to attend the YMCA after school program center located on campus.

The boys, now ages 18 and 16, and have done very well in school and are on track to attend college.

Jeri beams with pride as she relays this news. “I know in my heart that it would never have been possible if not for the support, homework assistance and guidance that they received from attending the YMCA.”

Today, Jeri’s 7-year-old daughter attends a Beach Cities YMCA After School Child Care Program. It will take a lot of hard work, but with the support of the YMCA she’ll have the foundation to follow her brothers to college in another 10 years.
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"For adopted children this was the second mom they were to lose."
Mother’s Pain Eased by ARK Mentors
YMCA ARK MentorsThe staff at the ARK Center for Abused Children met Sandy when she signed up one of her adopted children to be paired with a volunteer adult for tutoring, mentoring, and Saturday “FunDay” events. Through the ARK program, foster children are paired with volunteers who undergo extensive training and commit to a minimum of one-year to mentor a foster child a supportive, stable and secure environment.

Sandy had every quality that a foster mom should have. She was devoted to the five children that she adopted, in addition to her own three biological children. She was a delight to be around. When you met her you knew this was one of those rare people who could change your life just by being in her company.

Two years ago it was discovered that Sandy had cancer. Because of the circumstances two additional mentors were recruited for Sandy and her family. The mentors knew they would be taking on an additional responsibility and were more than willing to be there for both the children and Sandy as she went through her treatment.

Unfortunately, Sandy lost her battle with cancer this year. For the adopted children this was the second mom they were to lose. At the funeral, the ARK program director felt an overwhelming sadness for this family’s loss. But as the children’s three mentors came and sat beside her, she was comforted knowing that the mentors were there for the children not only that day, but for as long as they were needed.

So many times, especially near the end of her life, Sandy thanked the director for the ARK mentors. As a mother she could only imagine what Sandy would be thinking now, but she knew Sandy was grateful that someone had been there for the children while she went through the difficult process of saying good-bye and letting go.

The mentors continue to be a support and comfort to the children and to Sandy’s husband, Don, as they attempt to go forward. Although the ARK mentors couldn’t change the course of events, they could alter how it will ultimately affect the outcome. That’s what ARK Services for Abused Children is all about.
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YMCA Stories of Giving
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