TELL US YOUR Y STORY
Every person who walks through the YMCA’s doors has a story to tell and the power to inspire, motivate, and change the world for the better. We’d like to know about your own experiences and stories at the Y and how it impacted you or your family’s life and well-being. Fill out the form below to share the initial details of your story. Once we receive it, a team member may contact you for further information or a video interview to learn more.
Writing prompts
- What brought you to the Y? How long have you been coming to the Y?
- What does the Y mean to you?
- What was the biggest challenge you were facing?
- What gives you a sense of belonging at the Y?
- What did you learn about yourself through your Y experience?
- What was the moment when you felt a special connection to someone through the YMCA?
- Provide an instance that a Y staff member has gone above and beyond.
Helpful tips
Keep it short:
Tell it in 250 words or less.
Keep it conversational:
When you read your story aloud, does it sound like you would say it to a friend? Visualize a specific person as you‘re writing, then speak directly to that person. Read it to a friend.
Show. Don’t tell.
People are emotional beings. Use the people and relationships in your story to tap into your reader’s innate sense of empathy, and remind them of their own stories.
Photos
A picture says more than a thousand words. People love stories and they love pictures. Please include pictures with your story so we can share to social media.