Southeast Area YMCA (Woodbury)

A huge amount of my childhood memories involve the YMCA. I took swimming lessons all the way up to "Flying Fish," was a member of the gymnastics team, participated in summer camps and programs, and just hung out there with my family. The family open swim nights (they were called MDK - for Mom, Dad, Kids) were something we looked forward to all week. Now, as a mother of two, I look forward to building new memories with my family at the Y.

The thing that is the most noteworthy about the YMCA is how it strives to be a place where EVERYONE can feel involved, important and like a valuable member of the community. It doesn't matter what you look like, who you are, or what you do...At the YMCA you are welcomed and accepted without exception. The core values of Honesty, Caring, Respect and Responsibility are prevelant throughout all of the programming at the Y. People of all ages are served by thoughtful programming and made to feel like this is their YMCA.

Today, I teach Youth Enrichment classes, and I see children who also feel like they are a special part of the YMCA. We strive to teach them the core values early on, and you can feel the sense of community in the entire building. The YMCA is a place for the entire family to come together and share time together in a way that is fun and accepting.