Y Stories

Share Your Story

The YMCA is impacting lives all across the Spokane area, and we want to hear what the Y means to you. Reach a personal milestone? Did your child conquer their fear of the water? Whatever it may be, big or small, please share your story with us! Stories will not be shared without permission.

Share Your Story

To read stories from Y members and staff, please click on a story below.

Nov 1st

My Y Story – Vernon

Life after the military hasn’t been easy. After leaving the Army in 2014 I bounced around between school and work for years. Finally, after a series of intense forest fires in Southern Oregon I found myself nearly homeless as no one wanted to rent to a disabled veteran with a dog. That’s when my luck […]

Jan 23rd

My Y Story – Mike

You might notice that Mike Van Zee has down syndrome when you meet him, but you will definitely notice his infectious smile! But Mike wasn’t always as happy as he is today. After enduring years of being made fun of and bullied at school, he developed issues with feelings of anger. Despite the adults in […]

Dec 20th

My Y Story – Annemarie

I moved into a third-floor apartment during a heat wave. I drank water. I took breaks. I felt as if each cell in my thighs had been replaced by a hyper-sensitive network of pop rocks. I limped to the clinic and a nurse guy told me: When someone goes from being sedentary to an intense […]

Oct 16th

My Y Story – George

George, a supervisor for the US Navy Recruiting in the Inland Northwest is grateful for the YMCA. Originally from Texas, he and his wife Jacinta along with their seven children have moved several times around the country but have always been able to join a YMCA thanks to the Military Outreach program. Being able to […]

Aug 22nd

My Y Story – Helen

The story Helen wants to share is one of perseverance, love and hope. She has a long history with the YMCA beginning with opening of the North Y in 2009. Since that time, she has been dedicated to her fitness and overall wellness, taking group exercise classes and training for a triathlon, all while building […]

Jun 13th

My Y Story – Cory

For Cory, working out and taking care of his body was always the last thing on his list. The single father of two has many responsibilities to juggle throughout the day and just couldn’t find the motivation to get to the gym. But when Cory’s doctor told him he had developed type 2 diabetes, he […]

Apr 29th

My Y Story – Gene

When you live to be 96, you must be doing something right. Gene recently celebrated his birthday at the Spokane Valley YMCA and attributes his good health to friendships, an active lifestyle, and weekly trips to IHOP and Taco Bell. Gene joined the Valley Y when it first opened its doors, a little more than […]

Apr 4th

Staff Spotlight – Riza

For Riza, working at the Central YMCA Children’s Center is a natural fit. Born and raised in the Philippines, she taught elementary school in her home country before moving to Spokane in 2010. Once here, Riza was searching for a job where she could continue to connect with kids and help her new community. She […]

Mar 15th

My Y Story – Kate

Kate can’t really remember a time when she wasn’t in the pool. The 16 -year-old Sandpoint High School Sophomore has spent over a decade on the swim team at the Litehouse YMCA, swimming competitively since she was 5-years-old. Her mother, Jacinda, knew being confident in the water was important and enrolled her two daughters in […]

Jan 10th

Staff Spotlight – Elliot

Growing up in Spokane, Elliot spent many days as a kid in the pool at the Spokane Valley YMCA as a member of the swim team. Years later he aims to provide the same level of care and positivity that he received as a child at the Y. Elliot describes his time on the Y […]

Dec 27th

My Y Story – Amber

Spending three hours coaching basketball on a Thursday night may not seem like a dream for some, but Coach Amber wouldn’t want it any other way. Amber caught the coaching bug early, helping her dad coach AAU teams while she attended college. Now a first-grade teacher at Moran Prairie Elementary, Amber continues her passion as […]

Dec 6th

Staff Spotlight – Brandon

Every day presents a different challenge for Brandon at the North Spokane YMCA, but he wouldn’t want it any other way. Brandon joined the North Y team this summer and enjoys thinking on his feet to help members find solutions for their wellness journey. “No matter what a person is looking for they are all […]