In the short time I have worked with the YMCA, my heart has been fueled with love, empathy & kindness. I never thought working with young children would change me for good. I started as an Assistant Director for an after school program in Miami, FL. My job was to support the School Director and help to fill in ratio for a group of first graders. Within a couple of weeks working with them, I learned through the School Principal that this group had a bad reputation in the entire school. I then I realized my real purpose was to stand for these children and prove everyone wrong. I incorporated fun Yoga exercises, breathing and relaxation and forty five minutes of physical exercise. What I learned was that not only did my group become more grounded and conscious, but they also became receptive to following instructions and improved a lot in their academics. I also realized children learn better in fun and interactive environments.
My realization to how we made an impact in these children’s life came with time. Following my promotion as a School Director, the biggest task I was given was fundraising to help families of low-income be able to participate in after-school programs. My team of staff, teachers and parents helped to make the fundraiser a success. We created fun activities such as Pie Face Fundraiser, Popcorn and a Movie and Healthy Snacks for sale. Together as a school we raised over five hundred dollars.
My realization as to how we made an impact in these children’s life came with time. Following my promotion as a School Director, the biggest task I was given was fundraising to help families of low-income be able to participate in after-school programs. My team of staff, teachers and parents helped to make the fundraiser a success. We created fun activities such as Pie Face Fundraiser, Popcorn and a Movie and Healthy Snacks for sale. Together as a school we raised over five hundred dollars.
As summer approached, I was found buried behind my laptop seeking careers within the YMCA’s website for summer jobs. The rumor then was that most of the jobs were being filled and I probably wouldn’t have an opportunity to work during the summer. Instead of panicking, I remembered the Y being bigger than just a local community and decided to look across the nation. I came across Camp Jones Gulch in San Mateo County, CA and noticed a job opening of a Teen Adventure Coordinator. Unfortunately, the job had been filled but luckily the person responding to my e-mail connected me with the Camp Director for a Day Camp Coordinator position. My job was to create and design fun activities for the kids to enjoy in their daily adventures. Together, we enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, archery, horseback riding, yoga, canoeing, tower climbing, arts & crafts and of course fun in the pool. Within a few weeks of working in the mountain, our camp directors began a fundraiser campaign to help families afford summer camp for their children. As a Coordinator, I noticed a lot of my campers were there because they were granted financial assistance. I then saw how this experience helped children socially adapt to their new environment and also helped them find a safe place away from home.
Having seen what a huge impact the Organization had made in local communities, I myself, decided to stay with the YMCA of San Francisco and continue the efforts of fundraising and campaigning for a cause. Now back in the Fitness industry, our branch at Buchanan continues to campaign so that no one in our community is left without the opportunity to afford a Gym membership. Blessed are those who can be part of the Y experience and so too are those who benefit from our efforts as a team. More importantly, I would like to add that the feeling one feels when a parent looks you in the eye because their child could be part of something greater, that feeling is priceless! It will fill your heart like it did to me.
To help us raise funds please visit our Fundraiser website and enter any amount comfortable to you. Our biggest statement when fundraising is “no amount is too small to give” so even if it’s a dollar, your help will make a huge difference in someone’s life. Below is the Sentimental Journey Fundraiser held at Buchanan YMCA. Together, we helped raise a large sum of money for our after-school program.
Fit Lotus 