YMCA Story: Achieving a 'Life-Changing Goal'

A parent from the West Essex YMCA shared this testimonial. The family wished to remain anonymous, but their experience is shared with their permission.

I would sincerely like to thank the YMCA, specifically the West Essex YMCA, for helping my family and I achieve a life changing goal. After my divorce in 2017 I had no clue how I would be able to afford child care and nonetheless complete a 4-year nursing degree with two small children. It was summer so I decided to reach out to the YMCA as I was aware that they provided summer camp services. I connected with Joy Heiszer in the Finance Department and who was kind enough to explain to me the many ways that the YMCA would be able to help me aside from providing camp.

Shortly after, I was informed that the YMCA ran a before care and after care program at my son’s grade school. I reached out to Joy and she informed me that there was a way to apply for financial assistance, and all the great benefits that the YMCA had to offer families like ours. I was able to apply for assistance, in combination with the membership discount, and was provided with morning care and after care child services for both of my children.

The YMCA has offered my children and I a safe community that cares. A community that places families and children first and gave me the opportunity to enroll my children and myself with a membership that has provided us a healthy outlet along with programs that keep my children busy and active. The YMCA played a major part in the journey that my children and I went through. They provided me with summer camp assistance so that I can continue to be enrolled in my academics, while my children remained safe and cared for. They gave me the opportunity to continue being active in a facility myself despite the financial hardships I was facing. My children were not left out nor did they miss out due to my current situation.

I graduated with a pending Registered Nurse license and the beginning of an amazing career with a special degree where I will help others as well and receive compensation to give my children a better life. I am deeply thankful for every single member and counselor at the YMCA for giving me hope and supporting me so that I can support my children. I will forever hold a very special place in my heart for the YMCA and their lovely staff.

I have connected with Joy who has not only been a special, empathetic person to us but also a resource in the YMCA for us. The community as a whole has been great and to help children that may not afford to be part of these communities feel inclusive is remarkable. My children participated and had child care while I earned my degree and none of it would have been possible without the YMCA.

-K.S.