Mission Moments
Colton’s Story
A Mother’s Wish
As the mother of a six year old son, Colton, I wanted desperately to provide him with a positive and enriching environment. Being a single parent, and not working due to medical reasons, it is extremely difficult to be able to provide your child with necessities, needless to say luxuries of any type. Additionally, living in a drug infested neighborhood where crime and violence transpired on a daily basis, I could not let Colton play in the yard without being in fear of his life.
I remembered that as a child, my brother and I attended the Central YMCA, and I wanted Colton to experience the good things I remembered from attending the Y. So, seeing that the YMCA was blocks away from my home, I knew this was the environment my son needed to be in where he would participate in positive and wholesome activities that would lead to fond memories in his childhood.
Life Altering Impact
On one rainy day in June, Colton and I decided to visit the YMCA to see if we could get some assistance to become members. The next day, I received a telephone call from the YMCA informing us that Colton was going to receive a full scholarship to attend summer camp, and also assistance to become members. In May 2009, I had knee surgery and was wearing a brace; however, I walked Colton to and from the YMCA every day because he looked forward to camp.
Colton’s experience at the YMCA provided him with outlets and activities he never had, and I thank the YMCA for providing such joy in his life. The YMCA has been a blessing to Colton and I, and what was once a rough trail for us has turned out to be a beautiful walk in the park all because of the Gaston County Family YMCA.
Thanks and Much Love,
Dawn & Colton
