Letter: How the Y Strengthens Northwestern DuPage County

By Harley Jordan, President, Board of Directors, B.R.Ryall YMCA of Northwestern DuPage County

As the pace of our lives moves faster and faster and the demands on our time increase, the ties to our community become even more important. A strong community provides us with a stable base that helps us deal with the pressures of daily life. At the Y, strengthening community is our cause, and in northwestern DuPage county, the B.R. Ryall YMCA provides an anchor to our community that gives all of us —regardless of age, income or background—the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

At the B.R. Ryall YMCA, strengthening community means more than providing a place to swim laps or lift weights, and while physical health is incredibly important to a person’s well-being, the Y does so much more.  Every day, we work side-by-side with community members to address the most pressing needs in the seven communities we serve. 

As part of the community support campaign we just launched April 1, 2013 we are reaching out to educate the community about the impact the Y has made on so many individuals.  One powerful story is about one of our Y members, Bruce whose life drastically changed.  With no money, no car, and diagnosed with a life-changing disease, Bruce refused to feel sorry for his circumstances and decided to ask the Y for help.  He said the Y was good enough to provide him with a membership scholarship, that he uses the Y every day, and because of the Y, he is stronger, happier, and never has had so many friends in his life.  Bruce said because of the Y he will always be fantastic.  This is just one story of how the Y is making a direct impact on the lives of our neighbors. 

The stories our Y is sharing during the campaign demonstrate the intrinsic value of having a Y in our community and there are many others who could benefit greatly from the different services and programs offered by the B.R. Ryall YMCA.  I encourage everyone to read more stories that are found on our website, www.brryallymca.org/communitysupport.  Please consider making a contribution to our community support campaign. Your financial gift will help continue the important work the Y does, be it providing kids a safe place to learn and grow before- or after-school; offering families opportunities to reconnect and grow together; or providing people of all backgrounds access to education and training to help them reach their full potential.

We encourage everyone in the community to join our cause. When we all pitch in and help our neighbors, we make a meaningful, enduring impact in the lives of children and families and ultimately, strengthen our community.

To donate to the community support campaign, visit brryallymca.org.  For more information, contact senior director of resource development and community outreach, Robbie Gonzalez, 630.858.0100, ext.216 or rgonzalez@ryallymca.org.