Leah Anderson's Story
I was not aware of how much the YMCA impacts my community until I met Val. Val, a tall, sweetheart of a young man, African American, with a shinning smiles and cheerful attitude. Val would always greet me at the door. He worked the front desk at the Everett YMCA in the evenings and Saturdays. He would always greet me with a smile and laughter. We often talked after my workouts and on Saturday mornings. My Saturday morning routine included being greeted by Val with a Hey LEAH! and a smile. Then Off I'd go, rushing upstairs to the second floor gymnasium where I'd volunteer a few hours of my time with 3-4 year olds as a coach for Youth Sports. After Youth Sports I would find myself in a cheerful conversation with Val before going home.
It wasn’t long before Val and I had connected on a friendship level and I asked Val if he was going to college and taking classes? He said he was going to college to get his degree in Business. Val said, “It wouldn’t have been possible without the YMCA.” I asked him to tell me more about what the YMCA did to help him go to college.
Val went on to tell me that he grew up in a broken home. His father left his mother when he was very little, leaving his mother struggling with two boys, and trying to pay the bills. Val said he didn’t care about school or much of anything. He was getting bad grades and starting getting into a bit of trouble. Then, his mother started taking the family to the YMCA. Here Val and his brother found free help with their homework and something to eat to fill their bellies. This program he said, “Is called the Minority Achievers Program, or (MAP) for short.” Val explained that he was a D student but when he started attending MAPs after school, he turned his grades around and became an A student. He said, “If it wasn’t for the YMCA, I would be here, I’d be somewhere bad; into drugs, dead, or something. I just know it wouldn’t be good.” Val explained that the reason he had the job with the YMCA was because he could go to college and work. The YMCA worked with his school schedule. Additionally, because of his successes he qualified for the MAPs scholarship for college.
Val’s story touched me deeply. Here was this amazing person, that despite social odds living near poverty, turned his grades around, received scholarships and was getting his business degree to make this world a better place. Val has since moved on from the YMCA with his degree in business. His brother also received a MAPs scholarship.
It’s because of individuals like Val, and his family, and the amazing programs provided by the YMCA; that Thomas and I choose to donate to the Everett YMCA. Will you join us in helping others like Val, achieve their dreams by making a donation to THE INVEST IN YOUTH CAMPAIGN? MAPS is only one of many programs provided by the YMCA for people living at or near poverty. You can check out the other programs on their website to find out more.
Please join me in the fundraising effort for this organization and be a blessing to others.
