A Night of Celebrating Community
It isn't often that we have the opportunity to gather with like-minded people to celebrate what makes our community great, but our Celebrating Community event on April 19th was one. Held in the beautiful setting of 7 Cedars Hotel ballroom, the Y leadership staff and board members came together with local friends and businesspeople to learn more about the Olympic Peninsula YMCA and to hear stories from people who have been impacted by programs offered at the Y. Wendy Bart, CEO of Olympic Peninsula YMCA, said, “We haven’t gathered this way since COVID and now more than ever, it’s important to get together, have fun and celebrate the amazing people in our community who have compelling stories that inspire us all!”
Lead by emcee Glenn Smithson, Olympic Peninsula YMCA board member since 2022, the program’s highlight was hearing from several different guest speakers.
The full ballroom listened attentively as our first speaker, Rylee C., shared her Y Story. Rylee was impacted by her time at the Y at the young age of 8 when the Lead Lifeguard, Kate Henninger, observed her diving skills and told her that she would make a good lifeguard someday. Little did Kate know, that fast forward 10 years, Rylee would be working for the YMCA of Sequim as a lifeguard under her leadership; Kate having since become the Senior Program Manager of the aquatics and youth development programs. Rylee's story isn’t one of just transformation from a young recreational swimmer to a professional lifeguard. In her role, Rylee is now a mentor herself, to the many youth that cross her path at the pool. One such youth is 8-year-old Fisher M., who has become so confident and comfortable at the Y pool, she has appointed herself a future lifeguard and practices by following the lifeguards around the pool to learn their skills and practice their confidence. Fisher and her mom Sarah were the second guest speakers who shared that through their time at the Y, their small family of 2 have found a sense of community as well as acceptance. At the Y, Fisher sees herself as a leader. Kate, Rylee, Sarah and Fisher's lives and stories are all intertwined through the power of a Y community pool. Their lives have all been permanently impacted through their relationships with each other and the Y. See Rylee's lifeguard video here:
The next guest speaker was David H. who spoke on behalf of himself and his wife Sharon. Together as a couple, they have been participants in the Y’s Senior Stretch and Stability classes to help them work on balance and fall prevention. It wasn’t too long into their wellness journey at the Y when Sharon was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease; a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and can cause tremors, stiffness, and slow movements . Through their connection to the Y, the couple quickly found out about a program called Rock Steady Boxing. This program was designed specifically to improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s disease through a non-contact, boxing-based fitness curriculum, which was created in 2006, and of which the Olympic Peninsula Y is an affiliate. They enrolled in the RSB program taught by Bill Caples, which has significantly improved Sharon’s mobility and has given the couple not only a sense of relief but has helped them feel not-so-alone.
David and Sharon's story was not the only one shared about the transformative experiences provided through the Y's wellness programs and people. Trudy J., shared through a video story, her personal healthy journey which started when she signed up for Personal Training with Bill Wilke (Personal Training is offered at both the YMCA of Sequim and the YMCA of Port Angeles). Trudy’s story astounded the audience as she shared how, through her 100 lbs. weight loss journey, she discovered skills and interests she never thought were possible; Powerlifting! From wanting to improve her quality of life, Trudy found a hobby that keeps her motivated to do more than she dared to dream. Follow Trudy's story here.
The night was rounded out by an incredibly moving story of resilience shared by Sequim High School Senior, Addy L.
Tears from the audience, as well as her own, were shared as she told her story about the journey to finish high school under unaccommodating circumstances, homelessness. Through a series of unfortunate events, Addy found herself back "home" in Sequim, without a place to live, after having moved around several different cities around Washington over the past few years. Addy found herself back in Sequim because it felt like the community where she was most supported - so that she could pursue her goal of completing high school. From referrals from her school, she found the Y's newest Youth and Family Resource Services and navigator, Faith Abken, who in partnership with the Sequim School District, has an office in the SSD building located at 503 N Sequim Avenue. Addy bravely shared that the Y, and Faith in particular, have become like her "Fam Bam" [family] through the support she has received. She not only has experienced a confidential place to share her struggles, hopes and dreams, but Faith’s office has provided a warm place to land, snacks, support, and the offer of community resources. One amazing example of how the program’s community outreach has impacted Addy specifically, was when Faith approached the Sunrise Rotary Club who found a resource for acquiring a car for Addy. According to Addy, the car represented more than reliable transportation back and forth from friends' couches to school, “My car gave me the opportunity to help people like my friend’s grandma who was moving. I was not only able to help her move, but I ended up making a little money which really helped me out. My car is somewhere I can always count on if I need a place to sleep and it’s a safe place to store my clothes so that I don't have to rely on friends’ parents to put up with storing my stuff." Addy not only gained security and independence through her connection to the Y program, but she also gained a person who believes in her, a community who supports her, and the ability to meet her most valued goal, about which she proudly exclaimed, “I’m on track to graduate in June!” To hear more about how the Youth and Family Resource Navigation services are impacting lives throughout our community, (provided at the YMCA of Sequim, YMCA of Port Angeles and YMCA of Jefferson County) view our video here.
At the YMCA we welcome all who wish to participate and believe that no one should be denied access to the Y based on their ability to pay. Through grants and our fundraising programs, the Olympic Peninsula YMCA provides financial support for membership and program enrollment.
If you feel compelled to help support the Y’s efforts, please visit our GIVE page. It is through financial contributions from people like you that we can directly impact the lives of people in your community through helping the Y provide valuable services in the areas of Child Development, Healthy Living and Social Impact.
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