Kristine Mestdagh

How did you first get connected to the Boll Family YMCA?

My mother and father, John and Marlene Boll, first connected me to the YMCA through stories from their involvement in the Y both as children and adults.

Why is the YMCA important to the Detroit community?

The original vision for the Boll Family YMCA was to serve as a catalyst for community development – and it has done just that. Today, it continues to play a vital role in downtown Detroit’s revitalization, serving as an anchor amenity that has helped attract new housing and businesses to the area.

How has the YMCA impacted your life personally?

In 2001, Broadway Street was a blight on the neighborhood. Then, I watched my parent’s hope come together with the vision and leadership of others to build the John & Marlene Boll Family YMCA.

I’ve seen the return on that investment and know it will continue to pay benefits for generations to come. This has left an impact on me I will never forget.

What’s your favorite memory from your time at the YMCA?

My father celebrated his 93rd birthday in June of 2022. We happened to be visiting the YMCA on his birthday, where the children had made him a birthday card filled with handprints and love! It was very meaningful to my father and it brought many smiles and laughter.

In one sentence, what does the YMCA mean to you?

We appreciate the Y’s Judeo-Christian mission to build strong kids, families, and communities – and how that mission is lived out every day through its many programs.