Success Stories
Rochelle's child experienced a summer to remember
"It’s a great place for kids to enjoy summer with other kids their age and do productive in/outdoor activities which help build confidence and leadership skills.
Paris made lots of new friends and the counselors were great. Paris always came home with stories to tell. I wish we had started going to Y-Camp when he was younger. Originally we only signed up for the first 4 weeks because we didn’t know what to expect, but ended up adding the rest of the weeks all the way to the end because he liked it so much." Rochelle
Andrea found a place to recover and regain confidence
"I was homebound and unable to exercise for most of May – August. Returning to the Stonestown YMCA has been most helpful both physically and emotionally.
I am working with Ruel Lico, personal trainer, several times a week to help regain my strength and stamina. I was relatively weak when I began working with Ruel. But I feel stronger every week. I’ve also worked out on my own in the strength and conditioning room. When I returned to Theresa’s Y-Workout class last month, I initially was only able to stay for 30 minutes. I gradually increased my time there and am nearly back to full participation in the class. Seeing many familiar faces and being welcomed back by so many Y members and staff has been a real emotional boost. I am very grateful for the Stonestown YMCA’s classes, services, staff, and members in helping me with my recovery." Andrea
Jakob knows the Y will always offer opportunities to become healthier and stronger
"Because I live in walking distance from the YMCA Senior Center, the YMCA is my second home.
I am very active, playing Bridge, enjoying all kind of lectures, having almost daily lunch. The most important activities are in the swimming pool and the gym. I am 88 years old and my belief is that these kinds of activities are prolonging my life and making me healthier, stronger, and feel better and younger. I am not a rich man, but for all the help I am getting thanks to attending the YMCA, I certainly will make a cash gift for the YMCA in my will." Jakob - Member since 1984
Embarcadero offers a second chance at success
“My daughter graduated from Youth Chance High School some seven years ago.
It was the happiest day of my life. She had been to five high schools, in a gang and somehow I found Youth Chance. She had a mentor, a job and wonderful people around her. It took her three years to complete her GED. It was the first time she had ever hung in there and finished anything. I owe my daughter’s life to Youth Chance and I’ll never forget what they did for her and for me.”
TJ writes with a little help from his beloved counselor and mentor (Troy)
"I've always loved day camp since I was 7, when I first came to the Embarcadero YMCA.
My mom was fortunate enough to receive Financial Aid, I didn't know this until I was much older and when I found out it only made me love the Y that much more. I was able to give back to the Y by being a CIT for two summers, showing up on my vacation to help counselors run games and sing songs, something I loved to do so it didn't feel like work. This past summer I landed my first job... as a Jr. Counselor with the Embarcadero YMCA. I guess what comes around goes around."
Additional stories from Members:
Buchanan offers a safe place to be a kid
"My name is Sharron Watts and my daughter has been coming to the Safe Haven Program for 4 years now.
Her name is Imani Bishop and she attends Claire Lilienthal Middle School. I live in Bayview Hunter’s Point and I work in the Western Addition. Because I couldn’t afford afterschool care for Imani, I had been looking for a free program that would assist Imani with her homework and provide some type of activities for her to participate in. After looking at a number of afterschool programs within the Western Addition including the afterschool program at her school, the Safe Haven at the Buchanan YMCA seemed to be the best fit for me. The Safe Haven provided the type of structure that I was looking for, they helped her with her homework for as long as she needed it for the day, she received incentives for different activities, they have computers and they even had recreational activities. Another positive aspect about that program is that they stayed open until 7pm and if there were errands that I needed to run, I knew I could leave Imani there and she wouldn’t care because she was having fun at the Safe Haven. Lastly, last year the director of the program wrote a letter of recommendation for Imani to receive a scholarship for High School. That really touches my heart because she took time out of her schedule to write a letter that would potentially help me and my family out financially.
I truly appreciate all the help from the staff because it’s like a family down there. They really care for the children. Once my other children become of age, I will send them there too. "
Camp Jones Gulch, making room for everyone
"Last summer we were asked by Supervisor Bevan Dufty to provide youth services in Diamond Heights community after a gang related shooting occurred in that neighborhood.
Since our summer day camp was getting ready to start, we started signing up interested families. One grandmother is particular, was incrediablily grateful. She was responsible for caring for 4 grandchildren and she did not have the financial resources to send all children to camp and she couldn’t enroll some children but not all. In light of the recent shooting, she feared for the lives of her young grandchildren. When our staff explained that there wouldn’t be a fee for the program (DCYF) funding, she literally broke down in tears. Her grandkids had a blast all summer and were in a safe place, which was a matter of life and death to this family."
A married couple finds a home within Mission YMCA
"A husband and wife started coming to our senior program for primarily social activities such as, playing BINGO, luncheons and day trips.
While it is not clear what happened, this elderly couple began having serious financial issues. They became so serious, that the couple came to rely on the Mission Y to receive at least one meal a day for free. While the husband has since passed on, the wife continues to come to the Mission Y. While she no longer relies on us for her meals, she sees the Mission Y as her home away from home since the Y was there when she and her husband needed us."