Y Stories

De Lorbiecki Santiago and her family moved to the Philadelphia area from Tennessee so her son, Kal'El, could receive specialized medical care at CHOP. Kal'El was born with Hirschsprung's disease, a birth defect that impacts the intestines.

Art Cratsenberg’s military roots runs deep. His great-grandfather served in WWI. His father fought in WWII, Korea, and did eight tours in Vietnam. Art himself spent 26 years in the Army, retiring as a First Sergeant.

Jim Creighton’s roots at the Northeast Family YMCA run deep. You could say it’s in his blood.

When Kristen Endrick’s world began to unravel, she needed something to hold onto. Within six months, she’d gone through a divorce, found herself working two jobs to support three young kids, and learned that her middle daughter had been diagnosed with autism.

When Zachary Cardwell, now 19, first walked into the YMCA’s Association Office as a Cristo Rey High School junior, he had no grand ambitions. He’d simply been assigned there for the semester.

For Heidi Quinonez, the Y isn’t just a job. It’s woven into the fabric of her life.

Fitness has the power to transform lives.  It helps us build confidence, improve mental health, and see ourselves in a new light. It’s about more than physical strength; it’s about feeling stronger inside and out.

The Rocky Run YMCA serves over 500 kids each year during our summer camp season. Camp themes change each year and provide youth throughout the area with the ability to pursue their hobbies, experience new adventures, and more!

As a pillar of the YMCA's values, our youth development programs are built to support kids and teens in a variety of ways.