The YMCA We Build People Campaign is an annual community supported effort providing financial assistance for programs and services that enrich lives and create opportunities for everyone.

Join the Gaston County Family YMCA as we instill Christian principles into the lives of present and future generations.

As the largest provider for Afterschool care in Gaston County, we serve about 1,000 children each day, and 40% of those children are only able to attend because of our scholarship program.

Stories of lives impacted by the YMCA are easy to find. There are hosts of stories about:

• Adults who were able to build healthier lifestyles through one one one interaction with YMCA staff, group exercise classes and/or wellness programs,
• Parents who could work without worry-knowing their children were in a safe, nuturing, Christian enviornment because of the YMCA Afterschool program,
• Teenagers who were kept off the street and engaged in positive interaction with responsible role-models,
• Active Older Adults who regained their confidence and newfound place in society through programs designed specificially for them,
• Children who learned how to swim, play sports and character values through their YMCA program scholarships and
• so many more!

Although there are so many stories to be told, in 2008-we are featuring the story of Mia Moore. Mia is a true YMCA story. A person who has been impacted her entire life through the YMCA and who is allowing the YMCA to help her as she raises her two boys. Please take a moment to read Mia's story below.

Mia's Story

Mia, Blake and Lance

"I grew up in one of the roughest neighborhoods in Gastonia. My mother
enrolled me in swimming, tap, baton, ballet and jazz classes. I was at
the Central YMCA about three or four days a week after school. Being involved
in these activities not only gave me an appreciation for the art of dance
and taught me to swim very well, but also kept me out of trouble.

My mother later told me that although she was a single mother, who sometimes had to work two jobs at a time, she had peace of mind that not only were we somewhere safe, but we were building a foundation
for our character. Since having those swimming lessons, I have saved two small children from drowning. I actually won an award for the incident, but
I was just reacting to what I was taught at the YMCA. I later went on to complete the YMCA lifeguard training
at age 17.

I am now a divorced single mother of two young boys. And I too was
looking for a place to send my two to teach them discipline, meet
friends and be in a family like atmosphere, as well as learn sports
and good sportsmanship qualities. I was laid off from my job of seven years in June and decided to finish my college degree to get a better job and a
new career to take better care of my boys. Even though I had
to downgrade our lifestyle in order to complete school, this
scholarship provides an outlet of enjoyment for me and my
boys.

The YMCA scholarship allows them a chance to experience
sports and good fellowship. My desire is that they have good
male role models and authority figures as young men and break
the cycle of male abuse.

I was in a domestic violence marriage and my boys have witnessed a lot of things that they shouldn’t have. Even though I can’t undo what has been done, I have removed them from the environment and am trying to start over.

My membership at the Gaston County Family YMCA was a privilege that I later realized that not all my friends had the pleasure of having. I met a lot of
friends, gained an appreciation for dance as well as was taught important morals and principles. The staff at the YMCA taught me discipline and kept me out of trouble and I had limited involvement in the bad
neighborhood that I lived in.

Given the opportunity, I would volunteer to give back
in whatever way necessary because the YMCA has
always meant home away from home for me. "

Lance, Blake and Mia

The Gaston County Family YMCA does not turn anyone away due to an inability to pay. In 2007, we gave over $425,000 in program and membership scholarships.

Please consider a gift to the 2008 We Build People Campaign.

To learn more about making a gift, please email Rebecca Smith (rsmith@gastonymca.org), click here to download the investment card and bring it by the front desk of any Gaston County Family YMCA branch or just stop by the Y. Thank you in advance for your consideration.