MY Y STORY

Do you have a story about how the YMCA of the Palouse has helped you or your family? If so, we want to hear it and share it! Our goal is to highlight how the Y strengthens our community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Please share your Y story by clicking the button below and filling out the form. You can choose to remain anonymous. 

I'll Miss The Y So Much!

"My experience with the Y has been one that I did not expect to feel so self-rewarding.

Volunteering has always been something that I enjoyed doing but focusing on the after-school program I really got to learn and experience new things.

The Y does so much for these kids with the after-school program and more. The kids are given lessons every day that contain some sort of activity and they can make a connection to their own lives so they can really understand. They are given healthy foods to try out for "mission nutrition" and learn all about why those foods are so good for you. The kids are provided extra guidance and support that they might need, whether that be through homework help or someone to talk to.

It has been a pleasure learning and growing with these kids and the Y, I will truly miss it!"

Thank You YMCA and YMCA Donors!

"My son, aged nine, in the Explorers group, loves the YMCA camp. He used to always complain about summer daycare, and I always felt that we were too busy to give him a real summer vacation. He is excited to go to YMCA camp everyday. The activities such as going to Orphan Acres, Bishop Place, and the pool are very enjoyable to him. These activities are more like the fun summer vacation that he wanted.
 
I love the wide-open and all inclusive community space in the Sunnyside cafeteria and that they have access to the playground. It's great that the YMCA uses our existing community spaces.
 
The YMCA also helped us out financially by giving us a reduced rate. I don't know what we would have done otherwise. We didn't qualify for Washington State daycare support because my wife isn't working, but she is working on her dissertation and puts in 50-60 hours a week and needs to get it done. We are in a tough situation because I work for a nonprofit and don't have very good income. YMCA support was instrumental to our family being able to work and complete school as we need to this summer.
 
Thank you YMCA and YMCA donors!"

Doing simple activities, learning life skills.


"My husband is a farmer in Colton, WA and I work at WSU and the cost of summer camp was not affordable for three kids. I wanted my kids to be in a safe environment, learn new skills, and have fun. We live in the country and have limited options for older kids over summer break and I was very worried about the upcoming vacation.

I worked at the YMCA in Pullman when I was 15 years old and I loved it. I remembered that they did not turn kids away who needed help. I contacted Lisa last year and she let my kids try Spring Break Day Camp in 2015 and they loved it...My country kids had opportunities to do things like ride a city bus, go to the movies, and go to the pool every week. Simple activities, but really important life skills.

2016 has been a hard year for my family. Since it did not rain, our crops did not yield well. I had a medical emergency, causing us to get behind on some bills. Knowing my kids can return to the YMCA gives me great relief. I am so thankful for the YMCA."