“I started as a member here in 1982 when I was a freshman at Union Catholic. I had recently moved here and my mom wanted me to make new friends. The best thing she did was bring me to the Y. I used to walk here from UC after school to exercise. I began working here in 1983 and started out cleaning the building for about 15 hours per week. This led to me working in the Wellness Center and then I went on to lifeguard for many years. I also worked at the front desk when needed to help out. Now, I work mainly in the Wellness Center.
The Y has been a huge part of my life. It’s just become part of who I am. People ask me why I come in to work early mornings – when I also work a full-time job – and it’s because I don’t know who I would be without the Y in my life. I don’t know if I’m more staff or more member at this point. I just know I come here for the following reasons: to keep in shape, to go to work, and for the people.
When I think about why I’m still here, too, I think about this gentlemen I worked with a long time back who had a stroke. He would come to the Wellness Center and I would work with him and help him use some of the machines. After that I went to college and we lost touch. One day a few years later, I saw him again at the Y and he thanked me. He told me he got married and was able to walk to his bride and told me I was a big part of helping him do that. I’ll never forget that moment. It showed me that what we’re doing here is really important.”