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In past issues of the Northern Record, we have shared with you some of our newest and best programs at the Spears YMCA.

Several of these programs are well-known, such as our aquatics and youth sports programs. However, there’s one program that we are very proud of that may not be as well known — the We Build People scholarship fund.

The We Build People scholarship fund is one of our best-kept secrets at the YMCA. We Build People funds our Open Doors program, which allows us to subsidize program and membership fees for those who need our services but can’t pay the entire fee on their own.

In 2009, the Spears YMCA subsidized more than $115,000 to nearly 1,000 participants through the Open Doors program. And that’s just at our YMCA branch.

In 2010, the Greensboro YMCAs hope to raise $470,000 for Open Doors.

As a YMCA staff member, I understand the distinctive quality of Open Doors. I see the benefits of how participants’ lives are touched every day. It is nothing less than amazing that my YMCA provides parents with affordable after-school options, ways to relieve stress for individuals who have lost their jobs and need a way to stay positive, and quality swim instruction for children.

Please allow me to share some excerpts from letters of appreciation from our recipients:

“I recently retired and am living on less than $700 a month of Social Security. I know the importance of exercise for seniors and am thankful for the financial help to stay in shape.”

“It has made an amazing contribution to my health. I have lost 25 pounds, added 104 percent to my aerobic capacity and 52 percent to my strength.”

“I have had it in my heart to write this letter from the first day my children and I were gifted with the Spears Family YMCA membership. Anxiety, depression and living life in survival mode is the excuse I use for waiting so long to send this 'thank you.’ It is to a large degree because of the Spears Y that I am coming out of that phase. I would like to extend this note to the staff, board members and the generous people who give to the YMCA. If not for you all, my children and I would not be where we are today, getting stronger.

"The scholarship I received for my two children and me is a blessing bigger than I can put into words. I am able to write this now as the FitQuest team and workouts are helping to bring me out of my depression. The children and I had all been to counseling, and still go, but we quickly found the physical strengthening also strengthen our relationship with each other, our self esteem and our emotions. I have been able to strengthen my body and mind from so many previous surgeries and difficulties. Just recently my doctors told me how proud they are of the progress I have made in my attitude and fitness. … Yeah! FitQuest has been awesome. It is literally what the doctor ordered.”

As a staff member, I will sometimes read these letters when it’s a difficult day at work. It brings some perspective to what we do here and helps me to remember this program should not be a secret. The stories of our members should be retold, and I am honored to share them here with you.

While I’m sharing, please allow me one more piece of information on how we fund our Open Doors program. I mentioned earlier that our scholarship fund finances Open Doors. And it does, but contrary to popular belief, membership dues and program fees do not support this fund.

Each year from January to March, we run our annual campaign for We Build People. The donations we raise are separate from dues and registration fees and are requested only for the purpose of financing the Open Doors program.

Donations come from all walks of life: board members, staff members, Y members, community members and corporations with a relationship to the YMCA.

We are grateful (and so are our recipients) for all contributions — no matter the amount. What matters to us is that we meet our goal of turning no one away because of an inability to pay.

If you would like to help us reach our 2010 goal of raising $75,000, please contact me at 387-9622, ext. 113, or visit us online at www.spearsymca.org under the “Volunteer and Giving Opportunities” tab.

If you are interested in receiving financial assistance for a program or membership, please call Lesley Watts at 387-9622, ext. 103, or visit us online under the membership tab to download the Open Doors application and Open Doors checklist.

-- by Kristi Simpson-Harden, administrative assistant at Spears Family YMCA.