Mission Moments

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. As part of our commitment to protecting the children in our community, we’re participating in the Five Days of Action - a week-long campaign to increase awareness of child sexual abuse and empower and equip us all to prevent it.

John Baisden worked hard his whole life, including the last 20 years working outdoors, in all conditions, as a cable guy. (Cue the jokes!) But no one was laughing on the day that John discovered that his lungs were filling up with fluid due to bout with poison ivy that had gone internal.

At 75, Beverly Grubke (pictured above, right) who spent much of her life being defined as a caregiver, now proudly describes herself as being fine, foxy, and vivacious. Those who see her at the Y – almost every day – would certainly agree.

The loss of his Dad could have derailed Nate Smith, but his commitment to family kept him on track.  Working to help pay the bills, Nate took a pause from school, that he later tackled – full speed ahead – to get his diploma.  This was his first step in pursuing a career that he’d dreamed of as a boy.

One of Jordan’s best memories about his time enrolled in Firestone Park’s YMCA Summer Camp involved an inspirational counselor named Mr.