YMCA of Middle TN

Lives Changed

Just a few of the thousands of lives changed thanks to the generosity of those who support the YMCA Foundation of Middle Tennessee:

Leading New Lives

	(L. to R.) Jason Hancock, Paula Hughes, Heather Burcynski and Scott Reall are all smiling for the same basic reason: the positive difference the YMCA has made on their journey to better health.

Several years ago, Heather began a Downtown YMCA membership set up through her employer, LifeWay. "Once I made the decision to start getting healthy and change my life, the Y was where I began," she says. Today, she's 126 pounds lighter and 100 percent happier.

Paula became a charter member of the North Rutherford YMCA-Ronald Reagan Family Center in 2005 while recovering from surgery and battling high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and borderline diabetes. She has lost 65 pounds and improved her overall health. A kindergarten teacher, Paula says, "Now I'm a lot better at keeping up with all of my energetic 5-year olds."

After Jason personally experienced the hope of Restore, a life-changing ministry of the YMCA, he was inspired him to become a Journey to Freedom class facilitator-and then some. He chaired the 2007 We Build People campaign, was named volunteer of the year, and is now serving as 2008 Board Chair.

Scott founded Restore eight years ago after his own life turnaround. While working at the Green Hills Family YMCA, he became aware of the need for a ministry that would go beyond physical needs to offer spiritual, emotional and relational hope. In 2007, Restore continued to expand throughout Middle Tennessee and nationwide.

 

Turning New Corners

	These boys have benefitted from our 2008 USSAA program.

Under the direction of Lisa Beck, our YMCA Fun Company program recently celebrated its 25^th anniversary of providing before- and after-school programming to youth like Thomas Edison Elementary 2^nd-grader Morgan Menifee, who enjoys School Age Services' new artEMBRACE program led by Gerry Walker.

Fifth graders Makayla Stephens and Whitley Campbell are galloping toward success in the Y's Time To Rise outreach program. They receive tutoring and mentoring afterschool and participate in an academic-enrichment camp during summer break, all thanks to the joyful givers whose generosity makes the program possible.

The Y's Black Achievers program helps students like Gallatin High 11^th grader Cleopatra Peden and East Literature 12^th-grader Jorron Pendleton to saddle up for the challenges they will face as they move toward college and careers. Likewise, our Urban Services School of Academics and Athletics (USSAA) offers young people like Nick Jones and Jamica Morris a structured environment where athletic and academic skills get equal billing. The skills they've acquired through the Y will carry them toward their college and career dreams.

 

Y, Baptist Healing Trust, HCA Offer MedCorps

Program helping urban women pursue healthcare careers

	Ladies gaining new life-and-career direction through our Y-MedCorps program.

A growing and aging U.S. population combined with continual technological advancement in the healthcare industry have boosted the demand for qualified medical professionals. That may mean a worker shortage for the industry, but thanks to the YMCA of Middle Tennessee's partnership with the Baptist Healing Trust and HCA, it also means opportunities for Nashville area women in our new Y-MedCorps program. Y-MedCorps is a career-training and personal-development program for urban women designed to meet the increasing workforce needs of the healthcare industry. Participants receive job training and mentoring from healthcare professionals, help creating a personalized career-development plan, and case-management services delivered by caring Y-MedCorps staff. Y-MedCorps is a part of our Urban Services YMCA and is funded by a grant from the Baptist Healing Trust and HCA. For more information, contact Stephenie Smith at 615-500-8599 or ssmith@ymcamidtn.org.

Lives Changed Archive