How the Y changes lives
Sometimes you must look a little deeper to resolve a problem behavior in a not-so-black-and-white situation. We had a Y Center member who came regularly from a full day at the Petoskey Middle School. He displayed anger when he was told no or asked to do something; he tested other members and staff. He did this with verbal threats, fighting, and throwing chairs and toys. We tried talking, time outs, and even sending him home early several times. It seemed that we had exhausted our options when we set up a craft table. From that day forward the member used art, whether angry or happy, to express himself. He was talented and busy for hours at a time. He just needed to release his feelings in a productive way. Marne Iddings
During my teens, I was typical. I was the kind of kid that was trying to find myself, feeling pressure from parents, peers and school. I was fortunate to stumble upon the YMCA in
Looking back now, I realize that they had taken me under their wing so to speak, to help me find my way, to help me learn to become a man and to learn how to treat people of all ages, women as well as men. Those men helped shape me. I’m glad to have known them and I’m grateful for what they did. The YMCA was a pivotal point in my life and the people there were special. Mitchell Truemner, UpNorthLive.com
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