By Marko Duffy
We “found” ourselves at the Lawrence YMCA. Not like we came out of some side street unsure of where we were and there was the Y. We found “us”, we found what we wanted to do and become. My two daughters and I discovered and rediscovered who we are doing everything and anything at the Lawrence Y.
For my daughters the Y has been where we’ve been going since they can remember and taking advantage of YMCA programs, activities, events and babysitting hours. Seems like we were always there especially on Saturdays. We’ve done it all, tried it all and gave it our all and damned if we didn’t all settle in someplace it seemed we were meant to be.
Maybe the most classic YMCA story is that of my youngest daughter. When we think of the Y many people automatically think “America’s Swim Teacher” and for Marina this would be true. She of course like her sister tried just about everything the Y has to offer. Gymnastics, dance, soccer, yoga, basketball, music, karate, arts and crafts, cooking and tee ball were all on the list of things they tried with some occasional persuasion. Of course swimming was on the list as well for both of my daughters but for Marina it was her happy place.
Marina kind of reluctantly went to swim class but started to enjoy it almost immediately. Connecting strongly with her teacher she quickly improved her skills and moved on to other more challenging programs. She swam competitively for the first time this year and now volunteers as a swim instructor at the Y.
She’s been volunteering in the pool for a while now and as she’s gained experience teaching swim she’s realized what she wants to be in life. Working with the kids in the pool and her own life experiences has inspired her to become a Guidance Counselor. She found what she really wanted as she took advantages of the opportunities at the Y.
My other daughter also found herself at the Y but in a less traditional way. Did you know the Lawrence Y offers music lessons for kids and teens? Well my daughter found out and she’s been practicing for years at the Y’s Music Clubhouse.
My oldest did it all at the Y as well but liked what she heard downstairs at the Music Clubhouse. Learning to play drums, moving on to vocal lessons, trying piano and guitar and writing and recording her own songs, she discovered a passion and a talent that nobody else in our family has. None of us are very musical but the opportunity was at the Y and my daughter excelled and enjoyed discovering her musical talents. So much so that becoming a Recording Engineer and performer are future goals. The Y offered something that she fell in love with and has made it a career choice.
And me? How do you find yourself years into a career and lifestyle? Well by joining the YMCA’s volunteer board of managers I found something that I enjoy and find rewarding and has helped me hone professional skills. Being on the board has given me the opportunity to do what I can to help the Y continue to thrive and develop and keep the programs that we as a family found so important going strong. Volunteers play no small part in working with the staff and management of the Y. In addition, developing and using skills like running a meeting, managing a discussion, public speaking and occasionally scribbling down my thoughts for Rumbo have been key parts of my own personal growth. Again, the Y offered a chance to learn and do something and have it be a part of who I am and I’m thankful to have had the opportunity.
So maybe you or your family would like to see what Y offers and take advantage of one of the many, many opportunities to find yourself. You need to find out what’s going on and… You might like who and what you find!
Marko Duffy is CEF and President of Marathon Manufacturing Services LLC.
