The Y provides everyone the opportunity to be healthy and thrive, to connect with others, and contribute to a better community. But we can’t do it without the help of generous supporters like you.

Here are just some stories of the more than 136,000 lives changed for the better each year at the Y.

Help spread the word to increase our reach and impact. Share the stories and videos below with your friends and colleagues on social media. Or visit KansasCityYMCA.org/ShareTheCause to share them all and learn more about our impact.

CAUSE: ELIMINATING DROWNING

Reanna has learned new skills such as how to float on her back, and built confidence along the way.

That also has given her mom confidence that Reanna will be safe. "I did not take swim lessons as a child...so to see my child be able to have this gift and be able to swim, that’s wonderful to me,” said Reanna’s mom, Tiara.

CAUSE: MOVING HEALTH CARE UPSTREAM

The Y offers evidence-based programs that improve health and well-being. One program is Enhance Fitness, designed to increase mobility and comfort for people with arthritis, like Olathe Family YMCA member Claudia.

Coming to class has helped her manage severe pain, improve her posture and keep moving.

“I feel like if I hadn’t started coming to the Y, I would not be walking today,” Claudia said.

CAUSE: INCLUSION AND ACCESS FOR ALL

YMCA Challenger programs, such as soccer at the Fred and Shirley Pryor YMCA Challenger Sports Complex, give youth like Alison the opportunity to be physically active, have fun with friends and learn social skills.

“She’s made lots of new friends...and she’s learning how to interact with them and help them out when they need help as well,” said Alison’s mom, Brenda.

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CAUSE: PROVIDING THE BEST START IN LIFE

Tahkeeyah is able to work to support her family as well as take classes to become a nurse, while her three children receive quality care and education at Thomas Roque YMCA Head Start.

“They treat everybody as family. Like these are their kids...Without Head Start, I wouldn’t know what I would do,” Tahkeeyah said.

CAUSE: FEEDING HUNGRY KIDS

Our food programs provide youth in after school Y Club nourishment and lessons on healthy choices. They also fill an important need. More than 60 percent of Y Club participants across the metro are from families with incomes at or below poverty level.

“We know that...literally thousands of our kids, if we didn’t provide that meal for them, they would go without,” said James Spearin, Senior Vice President of Youth Development.