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MEET OUR 2025 FACES OF IMPACT
 

FALAK'S STORY

Leaders Club

Cross Island YMCA

From quiet 13-year-old to...president? Falak is a strong leader in the making, and she got her start at the Y. 

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KATTY'S STORY

New Americans Initiative

Harlem YMCA

She may not have planned to move to the U.S. full-time, but one love story, a growing business, and a community found later, we're happy Katty's here to share her story.
 

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DIANNE, LUIS, AND SELINA'S STORY

Early Childhood

Greenpoint YMCA

The Y raised Dianne, and now Greenpoint is helping raise her son Luis in the same program she worked in for 15 years. We sat down with Dianne to hear the latest on Luis' progress, and where it all began.
 

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THE ANTOINE-CALERO FAMILY'S STORY

Youth & Teen Programs, New Americans Initiative

McBurney YMCA

This family of five left their home in Venezuela for a life free from persecution. Crossing seven countries and a jungle later, the Antoine-Caleros found a home at the Y. 

 

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AMARI'S STORY

Lifeguard Training & Certification

La Central YMCA

The water is where Amari finds her peace. After a low point in her life, she started our free lifeguard training program and never looked back. We're happy to have Amari protecting lives at La Central Y where thousands swim each year.
 

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TAHJAY'S STORY

Transitional Housing

Jamaica YMCA

Tahjay left his home country of Jamaica to escape hardship, only to find safety and belonging at a place with the same name, the Jamaica Y. Tahjay is an extraordinary example of what the Transitional Housing program makes possible for people seeking housing and financial stability. 
 

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BIANCA & AMANDA'S STORY

Summer Camp

Castle Hill YMCA

Like 1 in 3 campers, Amanda has been able to go to Y Summer Camp with the help of our camp scholarships. Her mom Bianca can have peace of mind while she's hard at work knowing that Amanda has the best summer, making friends and memories she'll carry with her forever. 
 

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HAZEL'S STORY

Y Community Markets

Coney Island YMCA

Hazel is a retired special education teacher and longtime resident of Coney Island who has been volunteering with Y Community Markets for four years now. She was struck by how many of her neighbors are experiencing food insecurity, and it brings her joy to serve her community.
 

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SOFIA'S STORY

Y Teaching Kitchen

Northeast Bronx YMCA

Sofia is a junior in high school, but you'd never know just by tasting her food. Through the Teaching Kitchen, she's building her impressive culinary skills and helping other teens too. Because the branch is in a food desert, this kitchen is about more than skills - it's about health, sustainability, and providing for the community.
 

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JAYSON'S STORY

Y Rowe Scholars, Teens Take the City

Park Slope Armory YMCA

As many students fall behind in school, Jayson found the support at the Y to stay on track. 94% of Y teens graduate on time. Through his involvement with Rowe Scholars and TTC, Jayson is learning how to be a leader and an advocate— ready for college, career, and beyond.
 

Read More About Jayson

JAZMIN'S STORY

Teens Take the City

North Brooklyn YMCA

Jazmin is a young advocate and passionate about immigrant rights and mental health - both issues close to her heart. Through Teens Take the City, Jazmin is learning how to enact change in her community. 
 

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JOSIAH & MARIE'S STORY

Y Rowe Scholars, Teen Programs

Vanderbilt YMCA

Josiah and Marie are bright, young students who wish to give back to the community that has given them so much. Through Y Rowe Scholars and internship opportunities, they're more prepared for college than 43% of graduating NYC students. 
 

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KAI NOELLE & STACEY'S STORY

Early Childhood

Flatbush YMCA

Kai Noelle's mom Stacey has watched her daughter transform through the Early Childhood program. Once a shy little girl, Kai Noelle has blossomed into an expressive, curious kid who jumps for joy.
 

Read More About Kai Noelle & Stacey

KAMRON'S STORY

Early Childhood, Taekwondo

South Shore YMCA

Kamron grew up in the classrooms at the Y, and now he's ready to show us what he's made of. He's staying active at the Y through Taekwondo, always bringing the energy and good spirits to whatever he does.
 

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NAING, PHYO THET THET'S STORY

New Americans Initiative

Flushing YMCA

Naing, Phyo Thet Thet came to the U.S. from Myanmar only being able to speak Burmese. Now she has friends from all over the world through New Americans Initiative where she's learning English. And she's in good company: 71% of Flushing residents speak a non-English language at home. 
 

Read More About Naing, Phyo Thet Thet

ROBERT & LESON'S STORY

Y Afterschool

Broadway YMCA

Brothers Robert and Leson's favorite part of the day? After school. That's because they spend it at the Y - getting homework help and spending time with friends. They work hard AND play hard. And their mom Michelle has peace of mind. You know, I think it's our favorite too! 
 

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ROBERTO'S STORY

Proud Y Member

Rockaway YMCA

Seven days a week, you can see Roberto walking a mile on the Rockaway boardwalk headed to the Y. Rain or shine, he’s in the gym working out for two hours. His story with the Y doesn't start there. After triple bypass surgery, Roberto needed to turn his life around. Spoiler alert: he did just that.
 

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THE SAAVEDRA FAMILY'S STORY

Early Childhood

Ridgewood YMCA

Like thousands of NYC families, the Saavedras turned to the Y for affordable early childhood education and care. While parents Catherine and Juan Carlos are hard at work, our caring staff is helping their kids Nico and Virginia develop fundamental skills in a safe, fun environment. It really does take a village.
 

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SAKHAWAT & ISHA'S STORY

Y Rowe Scholars, Leaders Club

West Side YMCA

Sakhawat and Isha are two of our Rowe Scholars, preparing for their bright futures ahead with confidence. They come to the Y for support through the college application process, SAT prep, mentorship, and the community of people invested in their success.
 

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EMELIA, ILIZA, & SARA'S STORY

Family & Youth Programs

Prospect Park YMCA

You might see Emelia and Iliza at the Olympics someday, but for now, you can catch these Park Slope kids running the track, swimming, doing ballet and gymnastics, and playing basketball at the Y. 
 

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SHUVOM'S STORY

Leaders Club

Long Island City YMCA

If you ask Shuvom why he wanted the role of comptroller in Leaders Club, he will tell you it’s because he loves money—but not in the way you might think. What drives him is the chance to fund what matters. To shift resources where they’re needed. To make things fair. 
 

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TAMARA'S STORY

New Americans Initiative

Chinatown YMCA

Tamara is a Russian journalist who loves to read. She's read books in Russian her whole life and dreams of reading books in English. Her dreams are closer to becoming reality now that she's learning English at the Y.

Read More About Tamara

SIR'S STORY

Teen Center

Bedford Stuyvesant YMCA

Sir came to the Y looking for a place to spend time with his friends after school. What he found was a mentor and brother in Alonzo (Bazo), Youth Program Director.

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TRISTAN'S STORY

Saturday Night Lights, Y Rowe Scholars

Dodge YMCA

Tristan has grown up with the Y, and he has a bright future ahead. When he's not at the Y looking for college application support, he's shooting hoops with friends during Saturday Night Lights, a violence prevention and youth development program. 

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AIDEN'S STORY

Counseling Service YMCA

"When I'm down, I think of what I learned at the Y and feel better." We offer a variety of counseling programs and services tailored to meet the needs of families and young people like Aiden. In 2024, we provided life-changing, accessible care to 13,300 Staten Islanders of all ages through our treatment and prevention services.

Read More About our Services