Published: 08/10/2026 - 8:00 AM
Shirley Ann first walked through the doors of the Y as a child, tagging along with a family friend who had guest passes. Growing up in Plumstead, she'd never even heard of the Y, but she remembers those visits as some of the happiest of her childhood.
"I recall having the time of my life coming here. I promised myself when I became an adult I would become a member to share positive recreational memories for my very own family. One day."
That promise became reality. Today, Shirley Ann is a single mother of three children, ages 21, 14, and 5, and the Y has become the one place that fits all of their needs at once. Her family has used nearly everything the Y has to offer over the years: swim classes, on-site day care, afterschool care, Zumba, basketball programs, and the gym.
For Shirley Ann, the appeal goes beyond convenience. It's structure for a family spanning very different ages and stages. Her oldest son can come whenever he likes to play basketball and work out with friends. Her middle child joins her for classes or a workout. Her youngest spends that same time in KidZone, having the time of her life. All three, cared for and engaged, under one roof.
"Without the Y, where would all of us find activities that suit all of us at the same time? It was truly a life saver. It provided a safe space for my family to unite, separate, and create."
She's found other uses for the space too. She remembers sitting at the lobby tables writing college essays, using the Y as a place of focus just as much as a place to break a sweat. Her advice to anyone on the fence is simple: when you feel like your health could be better, when you're bored, when you need a mental break, or when you just don't want to be alone but don't know what to do, just go to the Y.
Family memberships have countless benefits including priority program registration, KidZone, and so much more. Read the full list below.