Success Stories
The YMCA is their “One-Stop-Shop”
With the highest concentration of single parent households, the lowest graduation rate, and nearly half of all youth and seniors living in poverty, the Tenderloin offers many obstacles to a healthy lifestyle.
For young people at risk for substance abuse, violence, and gang activity, SYLC YMCA provides a broad spectrum of programs designed to stress conflict resolution, teamwork, and skill creation. For seniors at risk of depression, reduced physical activity, and abuse, SYLC YMCA provides community and friendship.
Most importantly, SYLC YMCA recognizes the importance of nutrition in any well balanced life. Our youth prepare and cook nutritious meals seven nights a week, in a family-style setting. Our seniors eat together daily, meals prepared by eachother for eachother.
We are truly a “one-stop-shop” for our members.
It’s like a second family
Julie spent many of her years caring for others. When she reached her 70s, Julie decided it was time to take care of herself. She discovered a welcoming community and new connections at the Shih Yu-Lang Central YMCA Senior Center. She started by participating on field trips and gradually became more engaged. True to her nature, Julie takes care of herself by taking care of others:
She now leads a Chair Exercise Class for her peers. She agrees that the YMCA has helped her and that it is like a second family. She came to the YMCA for that connection. The SYLC YMCA Senior Center offers a safe environment for seniors to develop relationships and lead healthy lifestyles.
She found a group of friends and mentors
When Taylor became a member of the Tenderloin Youth Development Program last spring she was living with her family in the Hamilton Family Shelter just down the street from Shih Yu-Lang Central YMCA. Despite her intelligence and ambitions,Taylor relied on a tough attitude to survive. , Taylor didn’t see high school as a priority until she was introduced to the YMCA Tutorial Program. There she found a group of friends and mentors and, ultimately, her own voice.
The support and confidence she gained as a peer leader began to show in her school work. Her family has since found permanent housing in Potrero Hill and Taylor continues to develop her leadership skills in group culinary class and the Youth Entrepreneurship program.