YMCA of Central New York

Jennifer R. is a member who comes to the Northwest Family YMCA and is a local to the area. She worked for several nonprofits in the Upstate N.Y. area and nationally within the marketing and development world for 17 years. She has a daughter that she brings to our Child Watch program and has participated in a few of our classes catered to children. Jennifer regularly works out at the Y while her daughter is having fun in Child Watch and takes advantage of using our EGYM equipment whenever she can. Jennifer has shared in her own words how the YMCA has impacted her family, and how coming to the Y has become a regular routine:

"Before my husband and I had our daughter, I worked my entire life since I was 15 years old. Ever since my daughter was 15 months old, she has been in and out of the hospital along with doctor's visits due to being constantly sick and ended up in respiratory failure. I made the decision to quit my job to be a full-time mom to take care of her and fit her needs. I became a stay-at-home mom for the first time in my life and I do not for one second regret it. Adjusting to the sudden identity change and taking care of my daughter at the same time, who was constantly sick, was challenging. Two years ago, once my daughter was in a better place health-wise, we were looking for ways to integrate socialization and enrichment programs for her age and thought, 'why not try the YMCA?' We had never been members before at that point. We decided to tour the Northwest branch, and we were blown away. We decided to sign up for a Family membership the same day!

Once we started to bring our daughter to Child Watch, it completely changed our lives. I remember walking in at 9am on the first day of bringing her and seeing a line of parents going out of the door and thinking, 'did I just happen to discover the best-kept secret of the area for daycare?' It was such an amazing feeling. When I walked in, everyone was very welcoming, and I felt so at ease having my daughter cared for at the Y. I was extremely nervous before walking in because I didn't know what to expect, but ever since day one my daughter has loved it. She's now in the Pre-K program and almost 4 years old. On days when we don't come in, she's always asking if she can come and spend the day here. She's developed this best friend relationship with Miss Meagan, Meagan Wheeler, who is the Youth and Family Director at Northwest. My daughter even said one day, "Mommy, when I grow up, I want to be just like Miss Meagan. I want to be a director at the Y so I can sleep here and wake up here and play with all the babies and all the little kids." She looks up to her like no other, and it's amazing to see my daughter have a role model. Seeing her make those connections while she is here is so rewarding!

Ever since we started coming to the Y, my daughter and I have been to many programs so far such as mini messy play, mini cooks in the kitchen, mini sports games, art class, swim lessons, and ballet. What I love about the YMCA Pre-K program is the options the kids have for activities. There is the turf field, a playground, swim lessons, etc. It's such a well-rounded program where your child is exposed to many different levels of developmental resources that fits perfectly for our family’s needs. While my daughter goes to Child Watch, I can use that time frame for myself. I use it to work out and I regularly use EGYM which has been fantastic to use. I am only able to do it three days a week, but I wish I was able to do it more! I've been telling my friends, family, and everyone else about EGYM, how convenient it is to do a 20-minute workout in a circuit, and how engaging the equipment is to use.

The ability to focus on myself for a few hours several times a week is crucial for my well-being, and giving my daughter time to make friends with other kids her age and participate with all the programs that are offered for children under Child Watch has helped the both of us enormously. The YMCA is more than just a gym, it's a family-oriented place that is a great fit for so many different families just like ours."