YMCA Stories

Central Community Branch

… three members of the MultiSport Team ran the Boston Marathon.  Raquel Crea, Amy Sciannameo, and Nicole Sabatini raised over $8,000 for their charities, the Angel Fund (ALS), Beacon of Hope Cancer Care Fund, and the MA Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired … and were unable to finish their race.  While the experience was life-changing they are proud of their accomplishment, remain committed to their charities and will run again.  We’re for Social Responsibility.

Boroughs Family Branch

We are for Youth Development…Young and old alike joined together this past Thursday at the YMCA Center for Child Development- Westborough. The center’s annual Grandparent’s Day gathered more than 45 grandparents to share in their grandchildren’s child care experience. Breakfast was served and each child had the opportunity to show their classroom, cubby and art work. The grandparents were delighted at the opportunity to be able to spend this quality time with their grandchildren. Laughter and smiles filled the center and at departure time each received a potted plant with the outside decorated by the children.

Greendale Family Branch

This Membership impact story comes from the inspiring Glenn Powell. This early morning Greendale Y member for over 5 years, comes in to enjoy aquatic exercises and swim laps 3 times a week.  Glenn says he loves coming in and feeling so welcomed by the morning Welcome center staff, like he ‘belongs’ here.

Glenn is a wheel chair bound Veteran Marine who was injured in the Vietnam War.  His Morning swim energizes him throughout the day- and feels such a difference on the days he frequents.  Glenn also reports amazing health benefits since starting his membership with us; he struggles with arthritis and diabetes, both of which have ‘got much more manageable’  he says,  after losing 20lbs.

Glenn talks about how grateful he is to enjoy all our Y has to offer through our Y-Access program, without out it he would have not be as healthy as he is.  Glenn is a joy to see in the mornings and is an inspiration to all of us.

Montachusetts Community Branch

When I first got custody of my grandchildren they were very scared little children.  They were kept in the house with the shades and curtains drawn all day, they barely spoke and were scared of everyone. She had a full time job so taking on the 4 grandchildren would mean some juggling of childcare.  The 4 children came to the YMCA over a year ago and have thrived in the preschool and school age settings. Between the love they received from their grandparents and the love and care they receive from the YMCA these children are now thriving.  They are active, healthy and sociable children.  The grandmother said “ It does take a village to raise children”  We at the YMCA are part of that village!

Greendale Family Branch

When Bruno Ferrari joined the Y, he had one goal – to recover from the massive stroke he had endured in November 2012.  He first met Brandi Jacobs who directed him and his wife to Danielle Trubia to discuss personal training options.  Little did Brandi know Danielle had suffered a mini stroke a year prior.  Bruno and Danielle worked together immediately, 4 days per week, in order to help him regain his strength, his balance, but most importantly, his confidence.  Bruno holds a high position within a foreign government agency and was used to being busy and active.  After he suffered his stroke, Bruno was left with little mobility on his left side and felt quite lost.  Bruno often discussed his fear of never recovering with Danielle, who only kept his spirits high through her sharing of her recovery stories and her persistent guidance and positive spirit.

After only 4 weeks together, Bruno’s doctors were impressed by his physical improvements and cut down his physical and occupational therapy sessions by half.  They felt comfortable relying on the Y to guide him down the proper path to a full recovery.   Once he felt more confident and comfortable, Danielle suggested the Burdenko water therapy led by Gaye Robinson.  Bruno accepted this suggestion and till this day continues to work with both trainers multiple days per week.  The gains made by this man have been absolutely incredible; his physicians, wife and also Bruno are so impressed with the progress he has made at the Y.  Both Gaye and Danielle have been touched by this family and their strength through such a terrible tragedy, but are so empowered to help yet another Y member re-gain the life they once had and completely deserve back!

Central Community Branch

the YMCA’s Annual Campaign received a special gift.  A new member (who joined less than a month ago) was asked to donate to the Annual Campaign.  His response was as wonderful as it was surprising.  He asked how much it would cost to send a child to Camp and we told him it was $150/week.  Expecting a generous $150 donation, we were overwhelmed to receive a $1,350 donation – $150 for all 9 weeks of camp.  What an impact that will have on a child this summer.  We’re for Social Responsibility.

Boroughs Family Branch

We are for Healthy Living: We love mail especially when it’s fan mail from an unsuspecting member in appreciation for the things we do on a daily basis. Ruth took the time to write us a handwritten note to let us know how much she appreciates SilverSneakers® Cardio Circuit and Cardio Fit classes. Last fall not only did Ruth break her ankle but was also diagnosed with breast cancer. “After surgery I knew I had to exercise, in particular my upper body, to prevent lymphedema. I am 63 and thought I was too young for SilverSneakers®. I was wrong! It challenged my cardiovascular system and allowed me to protect my ankle while it healed. I am now a real fan of the program. I hope you keep this going and recommend it for younger folks (50+) who are put off by the ‘chair’.” Ruth never shared this story with us until now but her note reminds us that each of our members have their own story and are here for different reasons. We may not know them all but it makes us see how important it is to help people on their path to healthy living!

Montachusett Community YMCA

Bill joined the Y just two days after moving to Fitchburg.  He joined the Y for not only the vast array of fitness programs, but for the activities available for his children.  The Y had everything Bill and his family needed from fitness classes to time spent at Camp Lowe.  Years have passed and Bill is now a grandfather.  He has decided that his grandchildren need the same Y experience.  At 4 years of age, Bill’s granddaughter has her own membership and has begun swim lessons.  Bill is passing on his Y experience to the generations to come and hopefully they will enjoy all the Y has to offer too.

Central Community Branch

… the Wellness Staff are offering “mini clinics,” quick 15 impromptu workouts for members in the Wellness Center to give them an introduction to personal training and group exercise.  As a staff member recruited people for a clinic yesterday, he realized three women didn’t speak English (and he didn’t speak Spanish).  The staff person found a solution in another member – who DID speak Spanish.  He asked her to participate and translate, and she agreed.  It was a win-win-win situation.  The translating member (who wasn’t going to do the mini-clinic) did it and loved it; the members who needed translating were so appreciative and thankful for the attention – they were beaming; and the staff person made connections he hadn’t even expected.  When the clinic was over, the members stayed together, talking about the classes and programs and are on the way to becoming friends.  We’re for Healthy Living.

Greendale Family Branch

Our story this week is from our School’s Out Department. During a full day of care, last Friday, March 29^th, we all witnessed a very unique moment as four boys bonded through a game of catch.

Brian Anderson was the first to observe the four boys ages 5, 8, 9 and 12 playing catch in the main gym. He watched as the youngest boy, Nicholas was struggling to throw the football back to the other boys. Before Brian had a chance to assist him, Kevin, the 9 years old, ran over to Nicholas and took the time to show him how to throw the ball properly. The other two boys, Jonah and Rome waited patiently while Nicholas was learning how to throw for the first time.

Once Nicholas was able to throw, all four boys separated once again, but this time they didn’t throw the ball to each other, but decided to only throw the ball to Nicholas to allow him to improve his catching and throwing skills.

When Nicholas’s mother came to pick him up, she witnessed Nicholas practicing his newly learned football skills. The mother was grinning from ear to ear as she explained to Nancy Boland how she is a single mother and that Nicholas has no male figure in his life. She was ecstatic when Nancy told her how the other boys took the time to show him how to catch and throw the football.

We are proud that these young School’s Out participants are showing the true meaning of “Caring” to each other.  These young boys that helped Nicholas might not be able to comprehend the impact that they made that day, but we know that Nicholas and his mother will never forget it.

Boroughs Family Branch

We are for Social Responsibility… During Friday’s Cut & Color with Christie, more than 20 3-5 yr olds kicked off the Boroughs Branch “What do you stand for?” Flamingo Month of Giving for the Annual Campaign by creating fabulous flamingo crafts.  The children designed natural, lush wetland settings, then glued on flamingos and thought bubbles reading “This is who I am and this is what I stand for…”  Though the projects were creative and beautiful, the most interesting aspect was the response to “what do I stand for?”  One boy in particular had an initial response of “sports” but when considering what he loves more than anything else his answer became “family.”  Other wonderful responses included “playing outdoors with my mother at my house”, “God”, “my sister” and the comical response “popcorn”.  Following the event,  the children were challenged to tour the entire Y, every department, and find the 6 hidden flamingos…peaking from behind the Studio 22 bookcase, peering over the Aquatics director’s desk, big “Fernando the Running Flamingo” in the lobby among others!  Parents, it’s time to purchase your flamingos!  Last Flamingo Floating is coming!