Matthew Rojek
Member
The YMCA is a diverse community where lives converge, interact and are enlivened.
Why is the YMCA important to the Detroit community?
It’s a community that is diverse in dozens of ways, but centered on a singular mission. In that community lives converge, interact and are enlivened. My physical man has been exercised, but on an equal, possibly greater basis, my mind and soul have been exercised with great new friendships, conversations, challenges and new ideas.
How has the YMCA impacted your life personally?
Friendships. I have gained very close friends with whom I socialize outside of the gym regularly. Health and routine keeps me well tuned, especially as an older member. And the community aspect is far and away the largest contributor to my overall well being.
What’s your favorite memory from your time at the YMCA?
I was talking to a YMCA staff member who asked me what I was studying, I replied, a book of the bible named Ephesians. There was another member walking the other way from us who turned and said, “Did you say the Bible?”. He came back to us and we exchanged names. We have become great friends as he had, at that time, recently started reading the Bible.
In one sentence, what does the YMCA mean to you?
The joys of a diverse relationship of community, spirit, soul, body and mind.
If you had to describe the YMCA community in three words, what would they be?
Focused. Committed. Engaging.