I’ve always been very active. I came to the Y because I wanted a place to work out and get my kids involved. Twenty years later and my whole family still goes. One of them is at the Y every day of the week. My husband, my three kids. They’re all firefighters and being fit is very important. The Y is like home for us.

I started organized pickleball games a few years ago. Pickleball is like tennis and ping pong had a baby. It’s played with a wiffle ball on the basketball courts. The game is challenging, but not intimidating. More than 100 people play every day (including my kids). The key is making sure everyone can get a good, competitive game. There are folks in their 20s and folks in their 80s. Men and women. All playing together. The gym is electric. People are attracted to it because they see how much fun we have.

This community is very close. People really care about each other. We socialize, we work out together. If someone needs a hand, everyone steps up to help. We’ve found our second family at the Y.

Find Your Way at the Y