Crystal Perkins
Volunteer Board Member
I didn’t expect a lifelong sense of community and connection.
Why is the YMCA important to the Detroit community?
The Boll Y is centrally located downtown, making it accessible to Detroiters across the city. It provides after-school programs, sports, swim lessons and mentorship opportunities, while keeping young people engaged in positive activities, helping reduce exposure to violence or risky behaviors.
How has the YMCA impacted your life personally?
The first time I got involved with the Boll Y, I wasn’t thinking about community or partnerships. I was simply a parent looking for a safe, positive space for my kids. I remember walking through those doors and seeing how welcoming it felt, not just for children but for families as a whole.
What’s your favorite memory from the YMCA?
My favorite memory at the YMCA goes back to when my children first started swim lessons. My youngest son – Vince – was just three years old at the time, and he would cry for me during class. Watching him make that leap to independent swim classes was such a powerful reminder of how the Y helps children grow, not just in skills like swimming, but in independence and self-assurance.
In one sentence, what does the YMCA mean to you?
I didn’t expect a lifelong sense of community and connection.
If you had to describe the YMCA community in three words, what would they be?
Connection. Resilience. Community.