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By Emily Hyser
When you choose to workout at the YMCA, you’re not just going to a gym.
You’re going a place where people, like you, come together to change lives.
At the YMCA of the Roses, we’re committed to Social Responsibility. In other words, we believe that everyone in our communities (and beyond) deserves a chance to live their best lives as their best selves.
That’s where we come in! We’re constantly trying to show off all the great things going on in our branches, but sometimes, the work we’re doing hides in plain sight.
THE MEN'S RESIDENCE HALL
Above our York Branch YMCA, there are over 100 formerly homeless men living in a multi-level, dormitory-style residence hall.
Did you know that it’s been there since 1925? Most people don’t know, or they think we’ve ended the program, but it’s still alive and well!
Since then, we’ve expanded services to fulfill needs like job hunting, transportation, mental health services, and more.
In 2022, we housed over 120 formerly homeless men and helped 95 of them find a job before they left our care.
JOE'S STORY
Joe’s relationship with his family has been difficult for his entire life. In his own words, his childhood was “horrible.”
His family in Baltimore doesn’t want speak to him. His mother has ignored his attempts at reconciliation for over a decade, and he has almost no relationship with his stepmother.
As a result, Joe ended up at York Hospital at 52 years of age with no home address. He had been sleeping on benches and sidewalks for months.
Even with their complicated relationship, the hospital staff arranged for him to live with his stepmother after his discharge.
This didn’t happen. At the last minute, she told the hospital that he couldn’t stay at her house.
With nowhere else to go, Joe came to the Men’s Residence at the York Branch YMCA in downtown York City.
Now, instead of sleeping outside, he’s surrounded by our loving staff, who’re giving him the guidance and support he needs to become financially stable.
BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Before Joe left the hospital, he was diagnosed with early-onset dementia as a result of his accident. He suffered a traumatic brain injury, and he lost control of his memory—even forgetting his own children and their names.
Because of this, our staff provide him with extra care, and they are working to ensure the care continues after he leaves.
Maria, our staff member, says, “Every day with Joe is a blessing. His loving spirit and joyful smile brighten up our days.”
Without the support of our community, people like Joe would be left out alone in the cold, and we would not be blessed to have him in our lives.
