“I have recently become involved at the Carls Family YMCA located in Milford and want to share something about my experience with you. I guard my time for charitable endeavors, devoting the vast majority of it to Rotary. That has certainly served me well, as I think it has drastically changed my life for the better these past years. Recently I heard a story from a young woman that prompted me to write about the Carls Family Y and what they do.”
Blessings,
-Jim G
Heather’s Story:
Heather is a single mom who is going to college full time and working 2 part time jobs to support her 3 kids. One is 8, another 6 and the third is 4. The 4-year-old is her niece for whom she took responsibility. Her sister was unable to provide even basic care and the little girl was malnourished at 2 years old.
Like a number of working parents, Heather was concerned with what she would do with the kids when school was out. She was considering hiring a teenage babysitter for $5 an hour to watch them and make sure they didn’t hurt themselves. This seemed hardly productive to their personal economics or the children’s’ growth. She told me how her oldest, a boy, was offered a scholarship for one week of Y Day Camp last year and how he was able to blossom just during that short camp experience.
This year the Y offered all 3 kids scholarships for 12 weeks of Day Camp. They are helping Heather break the cycle of poverty that her family has been trapped in for decades by offering her a substantial scholarship that will allow her to continue to get her college degree and work 2 jobs. She is paying a portion as she is able.
I can tell you Heather will make it. I sat next to her and heard the determination in her voice as we spoke. Afterwards I heard success story after success story about how the Carls Family YMCA was changing lives like this. What a blessing it is to the communities it serves!
Please help us help more Heathers to break that cycle and provide a safe nurturing environment for their children through Day Camp at the Y.
Click here to learn how you can make a life-changing contribution that helps build a brighter future for kids and families.