Amari's Story "This job saved me, and now I save others."LA CENTRAL YMCALIFEGUARD TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONI have always been drawn to water. I started swimming at just six months old and never lost my love for it—even when life got complicated. After moving between boroughs and changing schools, competitive swimming slipped out of reach. But I never gave up.During a difficult period when I was younger, my school counselor introduced me to the Y’s Lifeguard Certification Program. I wanted something to get me moving again, something positive. At 16, I became a certified lifeguard at the La Central YMCA—and later, a swim instructor. It saved me from heading down the wrong path. Being in the water, helping others, it just brings me peace.Now 21, I'm still with the Y, pursuing my goal of becoming an aquatics supervisor while studying sports management. I have found my voice, confidence, and a passion for giving back. Teaching people to swim isn’t just about strokes. It’s about helping them grow. That’s what I love—seeing people progress and knowing I’m making a difference. MORE FROM AMARI