Why the Y Blog

🗓 Posted on January 10, 2023 by Charlie Davis

So why the Y?

One year ago, I was sitting behind a desk in a city parks & recreation office, where I had been employed for over 11 years, and realized how unhappy I was in my career and that I needed to make a change… I resigned without any job lined up or knowing what was to come for me.

I applied for one job at the Lakewood Y and Toby called me in for an interview. I automatically felt a connection as Toby and I talked about where we grew up, schools we attended, people we knew, etc. He offered me the position, which I accepted, but honestly wasn’t sure for how long.

Fast forward 12 months and I know that God has placed me where I am supposed to be at this time in my life. I haven’t enjoyed waking up in the morning and going to work somewhere as much as the Lakewood Y since I was hired out of college at the East Side Boys & Girls where I grew up. I feel a sense of purpose in my life again and love how the Y allows me to be me! I am so thankful for the opportunity to make a difference in the community and to serve as a positive role model for our youth staff and members.

I also work with a great group of people and I’ve never received the support from co-workers that Toby, Yvette and Rebecca, Tyler and Yasuko, Avery, Kevin, Mike, Marcelino and Wendy have provided me the last year. I hope they know that I am grateful to be on this team with all of them. So why the Y? To make a long story short…it was meant to be!

Find Your Meaning. Find Your Y.