True Stories
The positive results of our Sarasota Family YMCA community programs is best expressed through the True Stories of the children, young men and women and parents who have benefited and grown personally taking part in our programs.
From the YMCA's emergency shelters and group youth homes to children's fitness programs and education series we are focused on our mission to build strong kids, strong families, strong communities.
Dave Anderson has just recently wrote a book entitled “How to Tame Parkinson’s By Keeping Fit” and it is the story of one man’s life changing experience at the Sarasota Family YMCA
From childhood we all start out on a path towards overall wellness and over time we are changed by the trials of life. There are everyday ups and downs but nothing is more satisfying than finding the pathway to a new life filled with love and optimism.
Four years ago, a very frightened and insecure girl was homeless and adrift. Nancy came to the YMCA Homeless Shelter where she sought temporary safety and security after running away from an abusive life at home.
One year ago today, police escorted a young man named Josh to the Sarasota Family YMCA youth shelter because his alcoholic, abusive mother had kicked him out and refused to allow him to return home.
Tennis players and sisters Tori and Nikki Cleaves challenge their muscles and their minds at the YMCA.
Life is simple for Lan Huynh. Everything comes down to faith, hope, family, friendship, love and racquetball.
Edie Jacobs has rediscovered her lost childhood and found herself at the Sarasota Family YMCA.
Friendship blooms among a dedicated group of Sarasota-area residents over age 45 (35 for women) who practice volleyball at the Sarasota Family YMCA at least twice a week.
Seven-year-old Trinity Kranz who has Down Syndrome finds success in the YMCA pool.
John Philpot lost more than 135 pounds with help and support from family and friends at the YMCA.
One year after a doctor told Jaimie DiGiovanni, 28, and her parents he feared she would never lose weight because of limitations from Jaimie's Down Syndrome, she proudly walked into his office 50 pounds lighter.
A year ago Troy Johnson had to give up driving his car because his vision was rapidly deteriorating. This Thanksgiving the 26-year-old can see even less, but his outlook on life has improved a bit thanks to a capoeira class he takes at the Babe Weiller YMCA in Downtown Sarasota.
Ernie Oriente, Sr., 76, teaches children as young as eight to adults older than him how to drum out a beat on the speed bag and to enjoy life a little bit more.
When the 10-member national synchronized swimming team arrived at the Sarasota Family YMCA in mid-January for a working vacation, the top-tier athletes made sure to set aside time to meet with members of S.A.S.S.Y., the YMCA’s synchronized swim club.
While New Year’s resolutions come and go, the Sarasota Family YMCA would like you to be inspired by Y members who are working every day to healthier, fitter lives.
If it wasn’t for the YMCA, Cathy Ripa may be dead.
The 45-year-old recovering drug addict attempted suicide seven months ago to try to escape her addictions. Thankfully she wasn’t successful. Today the YMCA is her drug of choice. Cathy can be found at the Frank G. Berlin, Sr. YMCA in Sarasota several hours a day for six, if not seven days a week. Her time there isn’t spent just exercising (although she’s lost 10 pounds and improved her BMI measurements); Cathy is discovering who she is and finding a place in society during her hours at the Y.
In the swimming world the Sarasota YMCA Sharks Masters (SYSM) swim team is known as one of the top national adult teams, winning national titles and setting new national records. But the biggest secret about the Masters is that you don’t have to be swimmer-savvy to join this group. The team provides organized workouts, competitions, clinics and workshops for all swimming levels and currently has more than 100 members. The team’s main focus is to help swimmers improve their overall fitness and support a healthy lifestyle through friendship and camaraderie.
Several years ago Greg Simony lost more than 50 pounds. This past May, though, the 30 year old had an additional 120 pounds with him when he ran the 2009 May Tri-Miami Triathlon. The weight was divided between a 30-pound stroller and 120-pound Nadia McKinnon.
Use the following links to download copies of our printed program guides, reports and other brochures in PDF format. All of the information from these brochures is also available elsewhere within this site.
