I decided to make the YMCA a career when I was hired as a Fitness Director at the YMCA of Metropolitan Mobile in 1986. I loved inspiring and encouraging others to grow, change and be better than they imagined they could be. I realized that the Y was a about both personal and community development. My favorite part about working for the Y is creating opportunities to enrich the lives of many different types of people. Every day is a new opportunity to touch the life of someone in a new way. I feel grateful to have the ability to offer people ways to be brave and courageous, to find the power within themselves and their community to have a fulfilling and healthy life. I donate to the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard so that we can continue to offer financial assistance to those individuals and families that cannot afford the many services and facilities that are available. I often have people stop by my office to say, “I don’t know what we would do here without the Y. Thank you for making it possible for me to be here.” Personally, I could never give too much money to the Y. I hope someday I will have the ability to be much more generous. I have firsthand knowledge of the impact the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard has made on the island in the last 8 years.

I don’t remember the Island before the YMCA and I can’t imagine it without it. Our YMCA is one of the most valuable resources on the Island, providing community-driven services to people of all ages and varying abilities. I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of such an incredible organization.

Asil works at the Y because he loves the fitness culture that it has brought to Martha’s Vineyard. He sees the Y as really bringing people together and it has changed the activity level in our community.

The Y is a great place to work and the facility is beautiful. I enjoy all the relationships I have made here and I love the motivation to workout! I give to the Y because it impacts people of all ages, it has a little something for everyone. I think it’s important thing for our island to offer.

I have a passion for health, wellness and community and the YMCA of MV feels like home. I quickly became a member upon moving to the island and felt a part of the Y community immediately. Now in a leadership position, my commitment to the island has only continued to grow and I feel grateful to be apart of it!

I work at the Y because I know the work that I do truly impacts my community and neighbors. I love walking through the grocery store and seeing familiar faces and feeling like I am connected to so many people here. The Y is a place that brings people together and togetherness is what we all need. The Y has been a source of wellness for many island families and individuals; it makes me happy to be part of it.

I work for the Y because I want to make my community a better place. I enjoy my role supporting and mentoring the teens that come into Alex’s Place. My favorite part about working at the Y is the time I get to spend with the teens that come into the teen center and being a part of a team that provides a space that is safe and free for all island teens. I feel that they Y programs benefit all ages on MV. We provide support and services for every age group. From the Afterschool program to the Teen Center and all the way to the elder services we provided. I feel that everyone has a space at the Y for them to come and be.

The YMCA and the Martha’s Vineyard Ice Arena are tremendous parts of the community. During the colder, darker months on the island the arena, much like the Y, is the heartbeat of the island. It was a place I learned so much in while growing up and look forward to continuing its tradition.