At 12 years old, my mom dropped me off at our local Y to learn to swim. Not only did I learn to swim, but I also learned to lead. I learned to give back. Today, I am the first of my family to graduate from college and have a master's degree. The Y was my place to be. The adults at the Y empowered me to learn who I could grow to be. Our YMCA served over 40,000 young people in 2024. We taught them to swim, play ball, and, most importantly, empowered them to grow to be stronger. We must never turn anyone away due to financial need. Please join me in contributing to our annual campaign and help strengthen our kids, our families, and our communities.