The Y: Making Life A Little Easier
The Y has always been a cause-drive organization. An organization that focuses on making a difference for the people in its community. Last December, the Y had an opportunity to make a difference and impact one family in a big way.
One week after her son Benjamin was born this past December, Vanessa Rodriguez received some difficult news. She had stage 3 cancer. Routines with the family’s five children had to continue but life had definitely changed. Vanessa’s mother moved in to help her husband Ben with the kids and to help take care of Vanessa but they needed more help. Three of their five children attended the Y’s Afterschool Child Care at Turtle Bay and now the family needed even more care than before, yet they could no longer afford it. Vanessa had to take medical leave from her job to undergo long, painful weeks of chemotherapy.
The Y stepped in and almost immediately offered financial assistance to cover a large portion of the child care and allowed the family to use the child care on a more flexible drop-in basis – a plan that is typically not offered. “We could not have done it without you. The Y treated us like family. Jessica and Jen (Y Child Care Site Directors) were flexible, compassionate and kind. They cared. Jessica and Jen always asked how I was doing.” Vanessa said. “I feel very blessed.” Now, nearly a year later, Vanessa’s cancer is in remission and she is back to substitute teaching. The family is still using the Y’s afterschool program on an as-needed bases to get their life back on track. “I couldn’t be getting back to work. I couldn’t be subbing right now if I didn’t have the support and flexibility of the Y.”
The Y’s annual Strong Kids Campaign starts in February each year. Vanessa’s family is one of many whom the Y helps thanks to contributions to our Strong Kids Campaign. Donations go to help children and families enjoy the benefits of Y programs – from child care, camps, to membership and more. The Y makes a difference in children’s lives by providing safe and healthy places for kids to learn foundational skills, develop healthy, trusting relationships and build self-reliance.
Donate today. Any amount is appreciated.
