It feels like it was just yesterday that I was interviewing for my first job at the Y. I had recently completed my graduate studies, and like every graduate, I was eager to find a job and pay my bills.
Never would I have imagined that my job at the Y would be so rewarding, both professionally and personally. I have gained so much knowledge and experience throughout my time here (disclaimer: I still have a lot to learn!), and I’ve grown friendships that have become like family to me. But most importantly, I have become part of a large movement that gives me the opportunity to address so many social issues, one, in particular, that is dear to my heart: equitable education.
From a very young age, I learned to always appreciate the little things and the many blessings that we often take for granted. For instance, some of us think that receiving an education is a given, something that we are entitled to. I was fortunate to always count on mentors and build a strong support system along the way, but that’s not the case for many families in our communities. Working in the Early Learning department gives me the opportunity to do my part to help children access educational opportunities and also support their families as they learn to become better advocates for their children.
I have experienced first-hand the benefits of our Early Learning programs and strongly believe that all parents want their children to succeed. But not every parent has access to the resources and/or the information to support their children as they might desire.
So, why do I Y? It’s simple — because I know that every day I can make a difference for one family, two families or a hundred families. Every day, along with my colleagues and my team, I can teach someone how to make a difference for one family, two families or a hundred families. And every day I can learn something from one family, two families or a hundred families!
By Yeni Garcia
YMCA Early Learning