STAUNTON-AUGUSTA YMCA
Group Ex Aquatics Playroom Youth Programs Adult Programs Volunteer
"Don't give up on yourself. You're worth it!" - Jesse Daniel
BREAKING BARRIERS: Exciting news about our Child Care Programs, members inspire others with health journeys, a creative approach to therapy and MORE!
NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 2026
P. 4 A New Perspective on Breaking Barriers P. 7 PT Students Get an Education Through Play p. 8 Jesse Daniel and Ric Durrette P. 12 The Price of Child Care P. 19 Dean Crawford's Legendary YBL Experience P. 20 Meet Tara Henley
NO JOINING FEE All month!
When you recognize something good in someone, tell them.
Raising your hand and introduce yourself.
Setting a boundary-this may mean needing to have an uncomfortable conversation.
There's another part of this conversation that's just as important. We aren't only responsible for recognizing the barriers in front of ourselves. Sometimes we have an opportunity to remove a barrier for somebody else. That's one reason community matters so much. At the Y, people of different ages, backgrounds, abilities, personalities, experiences, and goals share the same space every day. Some come for exercise. Others are looking for friendship, childcare, connection, or simply an hour where life feels a little lighter. We don't always know what someone is carrying when we encounter them. But we can influence what happens next. Breaking a barrier for someone doesn't necessarily require a major program, policy, or gesture. Sometimes it's remarkably simple: These interactions may seem small to us. They may not feel small to the person receiving them. Belonging Is Powerful One of the most important barriers we can break is the distance between simply being present and actually belonging. You can be allowed into a room without feeling like you're part of it. You can be included on paper while still feeling invisible in practice. True belonging happens when people feel that their presence matters. That doesn't mean everyone needs to be best friends, agree on everything, or have every preference accommodated. It means people are treated as though they have something worthwhile to contribute. For someone experiencing loneliness, low confidence, anxiety, or a major life transition, that sense of belonging can be incredibly meaningful. Sometimes one positive relationship challenges the belief that nobody wants you around. One opportunity can challenge the belief that you're not capable. And sometimes a simple "I'm glad you're here" can mean more than we realize. We rarely know which interactions another person will remember. That's a good reason to make them count. Barriers Aren't Always Meant to Be Broken Alone There's another misconception worth challenging: that overcoming barriers is something we're supposed to do entirely by ourselves. Independence is valuable, but so is interdependence. Human beings rely on one another. We learn from teachers, lean on friends, seek advice from coworkers, receive support from family, and work with counselors, coaches, doctors, mentors, and countless others throughout our lives. Asking for help doesn't erase the work we're doing ourselves. Sometimes asking for help is the work. There are barriers we may not be able to navigate alone, and accepting support doesn't make an accomplishment less meaningful. The goal doesn't always have to be, "I did this completely by myself." Sometimes the healthier goal is simply: "I found a way forward." One Barrier at a Time Breaking barriers sounds dramatic. In reality, it often isn't. Sometimes it looks like: We don't have to become fearless before we move forward. Fear, uncertainty, disappointment, self-doubt, and discomfort are all part of being human. The goal isn't necessarily to eliminate them. It's to keep them from becoming walls that prevent us from connecting, growing, contributing, or discovering something new. So this October, maybe breaking barriers doesn't have to mean changing the whole world. Maybe it starts smaller. Maybe it starts by removing one barrier—in our community, for another person, or within ourselves. Because sometimes, once one barrier comes down, we discover a door we didn't even realize was there. And sometimes all we need is the courage, support, opportunity, or invitation to walk through it. Have a topic that you would like to see covered in the next Coping Corner? Email brian@saymca.org to keep the conversation going.
Ask 'What would help?' rather than decide what someone else needs.
Giving everyone a second chance - including ourselves.
Simple Acts, Changes in Mindset Open Doors By Brian Ringgold
Having the courage to enter a new space and stick around to find out if you belong.
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Trying again, and asking for help if you need it.
Invite someone into the conversation. Start by asking their name.
COPING CORNER: Breaking Barriers
Ask a question instead of making an assumption. Listen to hear not respond.
Notice when someone is on the outside of the group and give them a chance to join.
Stan Quillen
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MISSION PROGRAM: The Creative Side of NeuroWellness
There are times when party hats, balloons and music are just what the doctor ordered. For people managing the symptoms of neurological conditions the simple act of walking can be a burden or terrifying task. Balance, coordination and gait can be impacted so the threat of falling is very real. Physical Therapy student Simon Beach explained the thought process that can trap people into becoming sedentary: “I’m gonna have to get out of my recliner and walk to the bathroom. I might fall on the way there.” This reality is something that physical therapists and occupational therapists know all too well. It’s their job to help people reclaim their independence by confronting the challenge of losing basic skills like sitting, standing, walking, reaching or even being able to feed oneself. It requires a lot of knowledge of the human body, years of study and practice but also humor and creativity. Beach elaborated on this approach, “It gets them to do the exercise that we’re wanting them to do and it does it in a fun way, so everybody’s having a good time. It's rewiring their brains. So we're doing exercise but we're not dreading it.” Dr. Martha Cullaty, Assistant professor at Murphy Deming College of Health Science and Physical Therapy, encourages the students to explore an outside-the-box approach. “We can tell them [ the participants ] to do sit-to-stands all day long. But if you trick them into doing sit-to-stands, like some other way, then it’s making it meaningful to them and they’re having fun while doing it too.” Cullaty is also the director of the NeuroWellness program at The STAUNTON-AUGUSTA YMCA. She collaborates with Wendy Shutty, our Fitness Director, and Krystal Clark, our Healthy Living Coordinator, to lead this incredible program. “One thing I’m really proud of is that we have been able to meet several barriers that people have to accessing exercise,” she said. Emotional barriers like lack of confidence are tackled through a process of establishing rapport and trust with participants. Physical barriers like being able to use the gym are overcome through repetition and an education in adaptive techniques. Health and Wellness professionals like Cullaty and the SAYMCA staff understand that the key to motivating someone is to help them feel connected and, of course, to help them find something they enjoy. That can be difficult to teach within the walls of a classroom. “The number one reason that [ the students ] actually like it is that it gets them out of the classroom and engaging with actual people. It gives them real-world learning experiences,” said Dr. Cullaty Each semester, 36 PT students are paired up with a participant through the SAYMCA NeuroWellness Program. They go through the intake process reviewing health history, and completing tests that form a baseline of the participants current level of function. From there students are tasked with creating a plan of care. This is where the individual can bring their own ideas and interpretation of what they have learned in the classroom and put their spin on it. Dr. Cullaty is there to inspire and guide the students along the way. “She plants the seed and then we take off,” laughed Beach. Beach leverages his outgoing personality and humor to connect with the people he works with. He is kind of like the relentless golden retriever that won’t quit until you interact with him. He recalled how the man he was working with started off really quiet and reserved, “I wasn’t just going to let him just sit there, so I talked his ear off. Now he comes in here and tells me all about his week, so it’s pretty awesome,” Beach said. He points out that his fellow students bring the same level of creativity to therapy. During one session colorful inflatable guitars may be used or there may be music that they practice boxing too. The atmosphere is light hearted, welcoming and joyful. But underneath all the seeming frivolity is a serious purpose. The participants are heard, cared for and get to connect with a generation that is several decades younger. Those students get to enter a world that many have never seen before. Learning to care for someone takes on a deeper context. Instead of reading about the proper way to assist someone out of a chair, a student gets to look someone in the eye, learn their name, and offer gentle support. Trust is built where there once was a wall keeping the participant from moving. Dr. Cullaty remarked on this process. “Being at a wellness facility, is really different from a client coming to your office where it is your job to do something with them. I think it helps them be on more of an even playing field and see [ them ] as an actual real person.” At the end of the four week session students perform the same tests to measure progress. And the numbers don’t lie. The participants may not even realize they are improving. “If you can make that much improvement with people that are in PT school in four weeks, then it’s very encouraging what we can do when we’re actually in the practice,” said Beach. The combination of the SAYMCA NeuroWellness program with the PT and OT programs at Murphy Deming is a remedy for success for the students giving them invaluable real-world experience, “I’ve definitely seen people who didn’t think they were going to enjoy it come and they kind of blossom and end up maybe doing something similar,” said Dr. Cullaty.
Play Motivates Participants, Informs Physical Therapy Students By Eleanor Rixey
Dr. Cullaty encourages PT students to come up with creative apporaches to engaging NeuroWellness participants. This is an effective way to motivate them.
Rock Steady Boxer Spotlight: Bob Harrison
Joined Rock Steady: July 21st, 2026. We still consider Bob to be a little bit of a newbie! Favorite thing about Rock Steady: Besides the wonderful people, Bob likes the fact that Rock Steady classes address the specific areas of weakness that he sometimes feels and that the same principle applies to everyone who attends. Favorite Rock Steady Punch: The Jab --#1 and the Hook --#3, both punches on that non-dominant side! Just watch him—those punches look pretty dominant to me! Born: March 3rd, 1942 in Emporia, Virginia. Lives in: Just outside of Waynesboro. Bob and his wife, Maida, were married for 60 years and although Maida is no longer with us, she and Bob had two sons, Robert, Jr. and Brian (deceased). Bob’s granddaughter, Emma, is doing her residency in South Carolina after her doctorate in Family Medicine from UVA. Career: Bob lights up talking about his career! Right out of high school he went into the Air Force where he spent 8 years, studying thru night school to get his college degree. A former buddy of his in the Air Force, Captain England, requested Bob to come to a brand-new 450 bed hospital which started Bob’s tenure as a Hospital Administrator which lasted 24 years. His last 18 years were spent working as the Agency Manager for Barger Insurance Company. Bob says he loved everything he did in his career. Hobbies: Bob loves to read and travel. When Maida was with him, they traveled all over the US and internationally as well. Bob also was an avid runner during his competitive years. Favorite Place to Travel/Vacation: “Anything Beachy” according to Bob! Did You Know? Although being serious and goal-driven, Bob is really known for having a great sense of humor. You can see it in class—the smile and the laugh and the occasional quip that comes out of nowhere.
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Durrette keeps finding new ways to challenge himself. Staying positive and feeling motivated by his children keep him on track to achieve his goals.
Jesse Daniel, an accountant, spends her days moving numbers around. Ric Durrette, a truck driver, spends his moving freight. They lead very different lives, and they have never met. But on their journeys toward better health, both discovered the same barrier wasn’t physical. It was mental. For these two strangers, getting healthier meant moving past the mindset and habits that had kept them stuck—and realizing that lasting change would require more than simply exercising. “My goal was not to lose weight,” Daniel said. “Losing weight was like the side effect of what my goal was. My goal was to get healthy.” Durrette reached a similar turning point after years of starting and stopping. “I was playing around with it,” Durrette said of personal fitness. “I would say it was this March or April when I really locked on with eating right and really getting after it. I would lose a little bit (of weight) and gain it all back. I just got tired of doing that.” For Daniel and Durrette, breaking through their barriers meant changing more than their workout routines. They had to change the way they thought about their health—and that shift in mindset became the first step toward discovering what it means to be truly healthy. Jesse’s Story The work cycle of an accountant is beholden to a very strict season that is rigorous and stressful and self care is not part of the equation. For Daniel it also became the impetus to make a change and break out of an unhealthy cycle; “Every tax season, I gain 15 pounds and then I lose it over the following year.” As she got older she found it increasingly difficult to shed those extra pounds. The cycle continued until she had had enough. “April 15th of 2025, I decided I needed to get healthier,” she said. The end of one season held the beginning of another. Certain numbers were still significant to Daniel, “I'm 5 foot 3 and I started off at 245 pounds.” however she decided early on not to weigh herself. “You have to have something to focus on besides the scale,” she stated. “If you're just focusing on the scale, you're missing out.” Daniel reflected on taking those first steps, “My first goal was to be able to know I could do a 4 hour hike. When I first started, I could barely make it around Gypsy Hill.” Now, 17 months and 83 pounds later she attributes her success to flexing a different kind of muscle. She discovered, “The biggest barrier was myself. It was the mindset that I can't do this, it's just too hard or I've made one mistake, and now I'm gonna give up.” This shift in attitude along with a change in her relationship with food were, for Daniel, the pieces that had been missing in her earlier attempts to lose weight. “It was the mindset of, I have to have this food in order to be happy,” she said. She elaborated on experiencing that change internally, “I was so out of shape that I was too embarrassed to come to the Y.” But these days that couldn’t be further from the truth. Now she confidently walks in after riding her bike to the Y and heads to one of her favorite machines, the assist pull-up. In this new season she finds joy in celebrating her “mistakes.” Because it means something more, it means that she is trying and ultimately that may be the biggest gift Daniel has given to herself: “You can't train or start to do something without looking like an idiot. You always have to be the idiot. And laugh at yourself while you're being the idiot, because it's okay to be an idiot. It's okay to suck at something if you're having a great time.” She discovered that once you decide not to give up on yourself the real journey begins, “You have to flip it. We're in charge. We are in charge of our brain and what our brain is selling us is not correct.” If you are too fixated on changing a number or how you look you miss out on learning who you really are. That is the gift she wants to share with others. She fully embraces this idea of celebrating yourself freely with infectious enthusiasm, “Celebrate yourself. There's nothing conceited about that. If anybody's around, they're gonna get a high five from anybody else. If not, I give myself a high five. I'm like, go me. Look at me go.” Ric’s Story Durrette is no stranger to the YMCA’s weight room. The concept of strength training was not new as he had been tossing around 45-pound plates for most of his adult life, the real change started earlier this year when he got equally serious about the plates at his kitchen table. “I’ve been at the gym a very long time - like years and years - but I just wasn’t getting the results I wanted,” Durrette said. “I wasn’t eating well. The gym part’s the easy part. Nutrition is like 80 percent of the battle. Once I locked in on that, the weight started falling off.” Always a clever wordsmith, Durrette has a plethora of fitness-related catchphrases that speak to his fitness journey. “You have to eat like something,” he said, “if you want to look like something.” However, Durrette’s journey isn’t solely about physical appearance. It’s about setting an example. “My fitness journey started when I had my first kid,” Durrette said. “You see parents all the time that could barely keep up with their kids. I didn’t want to be one of those. For me, not having a mom or a dad, I just wanted to be there the best way I can for longevity. That’s where it really started.” Durrette documents part of his fitness journey on his social media page. Recently, he shocked himself by running a 5K without stopping. His goal was to do a run/walk. Then he realized he didn’t need to walk. “My legs just felt really good,” he said. “The most I had ran was a lap-and-a-half around the park. Once I got a lap-and-a-half, I started noticing my legs were still feeling good. I just zoned out and locked in.” In Durrette’s fitness journey, success begets success. “I was just hyped, because I had never attempted it before,” the longtime Y member said. “Knowing that I surpassed my own expectations was a good feeling. I just wanted more after that. ‘If I can do that, what else can I do?’” Durrette’s strategy for success includes feeding himself motivational material and keeping a close circle of friends that encourages his journey. He takes that same mindset into everything. One decision Durrette made as a young adult proved to be a barrier to success in the career world, but he’s overcome that challenge, too. “Of course, everybody wants to be successful,” Durrette said. “My biggest thing after my setback was seeing so many doors close in your face. If you don’t keep knocking, they are not going to open. That’s my biggest thing. Keep going after what you want. You might hear a thousand no’s before you hear a yes, but that doesn’t mean that you stop.” What are Daniel's goals for the future? “My next goal is to do a pull up," she said with excitment. "I'm so proud of my progress in that area. Nowhere near doing a pull up yet, but I'm getting closer and closer.” Like Daniel, Durrette plans on continuing after his goals. He’s down 50 pounds, and he’s providing the example he wants for his kids. “I’ve got little people watching me,” Durrette said. “If they see me give up, what do I expect them to do? A lot of people don’t know there’s a lot more to this world than the five-mile radius we live in. Just having those little eyes on you, that’s everything.” Once you take that first step towards tackling your goals and you break the barriers that hold you back, there's no limit to what you can achieve. Daniel concluded with this reminder, "You're missing out on all the amazing, fun things that you can do.” What are you waiting for?
Daniel's enthusiasm is positively infectious. She celebrates victories big and small and credits her weight loss to adopting that growth m indset.
MEMBER FEATURE: Jesse Daniel and Ric Durrette
Strangers Share Lessons Learned on Separate Health Journeys By Eleanor Rixey and Chris Lassiter
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Dedicated Handball Players Build Recognition for Ancient Sport By Dawn Medley
Contact Regional Aquatics Director Beth Valentine with any questions: saymcabeth@gmail.com
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Handball Group Thrives on Connection
The STAUNTON-AUGUSTA YMCA announces with gratitude that its preschool daycare Community Child Care, will continue its participation in the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for the third year in a row. We are also pleased to announce that because of this generous program our Afterschool Adventure Club, which serves children ages 4-11 who attend Staunton City Schools will also be receiving nutritious meals both during after school and full day camps. Our partners at The Waynesboro Family YMCA have been included in the grant as well. Their preschool and Afterschool programs are now thriving due to the inclusion of the meals this grant provides. The CACFP runs for a full year and assists with reimbursing the cost of purchasing delicious and healthy foods. We have now expanded access to 280 local children. This is an increase from the 40 children who were served last year.A significant portion of the families across all three organizations receive subsidies or financial assistance. "At a time when more and more families are having to choose between paying bills and putting food on the table, grants like this are a life-line for our community," said SAYMCA Associate Executive Director Kristi Hatcher. According to The CDC's Early Childhood Nutrition Report, "When healthy foods are inaccessible or not affordable, families might feed their children foods that are higher in calories and lower in important nutrients." It is understandable how this happens. Our organizations are working tirelessly to head off health complications related to nutrition deficits like; obesity, diabetes, and poor brain development through seeking grants that align with our mission of healthy living, youth development and social responsibility. "Because of the support of the CACFP grant, we are able to provide breakfast, lunch and snacks to the children in our care each day," said CCC Director Jamye Justus. "This helps ensure that every child has access to healthy meals while they are here, while also helping ease some of the financial burden on families. CACFP allows us to focus on providing children with the nutrition they need to learn, grow and thrive - regardless of their family's circumstances." We cannot overstate the impact this grant is having on the youth entrusted to our care. Not only are the meals nutritious, the children are also enjoying them. For an audience that is notorious for being choosy the simple request, "May I have another?" reflects how successful the program is. To find out how you can support Community Child Care, The SAYMCA or The WFYMCA visit saymca.org or contact Associate Executive Director Kristi Hatcher at (540) 885 - 8089. The quote from the CDC was taken out of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( 2025, August ) CDC's Early Childhood Nutrition Report 2025 www.cdc.gov/nutrition/media/pdfs/2025/ CDC-Early-Childhood-Nutrition-Report-National- 2025-508.pdf
By Eleanor Rixey
Community Child Care, SAYMCA, WFYMCA Receive USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program Grant
Exciting News About Our Child Care Programs
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Corner
MISSION HIGHLIGHT: Nina Rhodes
SAYMCA member Charlene Brown had previously raised two children to help a relative years ago, but when she walked out of the courtroom in 2024 with four little ones between ages 1 and 6, she didn’t even know where to begin. She was overjoyed. But it didn’t take long for her to also become overwhelmed. “They honestly came to me with the clothes on their backs,” Brown said, recalling that life-changing day. The children had spent the past year - after the sudden death of their mother - shuffling between hotel lobbies, city parks, and crowded vehicles while in the care of their father. “Seeing them asleep in actual beds that night, so peaceful … that kept me going.” As she worked to “unscramble everything” as efficiently as possible, Brown knew that securing childcare was critical. For about a month, she tried to have the youngsters at the hair salon she has owned and operated for nearly three decades. “That really wasn’t going to work for long,” she laughed. But finding and paying for childcare times four would not be easy, either. Because they had lost their mother, the children were already set up with the Department of Social Services (DSS), but their father had not used the resources wisely and none were enrolled in childcare. The family’s social worker helped Brown connect with a local subsidy-approved center, but it was not a great fit. When spots opened up at the Staunton Y Afterschool Adventure site, she realized that they had found a “home” at last. The STAUNTON-AUGUSTA YMCA’s reputation for providing quality, affordable care for school-age children has been established through decades of consistent service. As costs have risen for just about everything in recent months, the Y’s commitment to maintaining partnerships with organizations like DSS, USDA, and the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF) has meant that local families can continue to access this critical resource. “There’s no way that I would be able to pay for childcare for all of them on my own,” Brown said. The other system of financial assistance for Y afterschool children are scholarships, which are supported by the Annual Giving Campaign Fund. Again and again, surveys of area residents identify affordable childcare as a top community need, explained Associate Executive Director Kristi Hatcher. So the YMCA doubles down on its pledge to connect families with outside networks that help with tuition - even if they’re not Y members. “When we take care of the children in our communities, we’re creating a better place for all of us to live,” Hatcher said. The Preschool Connection When the SAYMCA took over operation of Community Child Care (CCC) in 2022, it extended the organization’s reach - and resources - to preschool children. As one of the longest-running independent preschools in the area, CCC is also one of the only preschools in Staunton that accepts DSS subsidy, explained Director Jamye Justus. Close to half of CCC families qualify for some level of DSS assistance, according to YMCA Childcare Administrator Jessica Brown, who helps those individuals navigate the funding puzzle as part of her role. In fact, only about 10 percent of Community Child Care students pay the full rate. A little more than a quarter of families come to CCC through the Blue Ridge Ready Regions program, which is known in the childcare arena as “mixed delivery.” The program is facilitated by VECF and discounts childcare costs to as low as $5 per month for some families. The upper end of the rate for Ready Regions children is $300 per month - still well below CCC’s standard rate and the average monthly cost of preschool care in Virginia at between $600 and $900. “If I hadn’t found CCC, I most likely would have been forced to stay at home and into a very uncomfortable financial situation,” said young single father, Cody Harman. His 3-year-old daughter, Ava, who he describes as a “sassy, smart princess,” is enrolled through Ready Regions. “My favorite thing about the center is Ava’s willingness to walk in the door each day,” Harman said. “Any place that my daughter loves to go is a place I love sending her.” There is a lot of reporting, inspections, specific training, and paperwork that comes with offering so many financial options, which makes it unappealing to many preschool providers, Justus said. Another 12 percent of CCC families are eligible for discounted tuition on the basis of their income according to the center's sliding scale - a unique option among local preschools. Often parents, like Leyla Bahema, with more than one child at the center will qualify for different types of aid for each one. Bahema's youngest, 4-year-old Samara Cruz, is on the mixed delivery system, and the cost for her kindergartner, Jazmin Cruz, is based on the sliding scale. "It’s the only place I would think about sending my kids," said Bahema, who has sent all six of her children to Community Child Care over the past 20 years. "Even when the teachers change, their standards and practices do not," she added. Jessica Payne and her husband both work full-time, and the family had tried two centers since their daughter - now almost 3 - started childcare at around nine months. “They weren’t bad centers, but there were some things that didn’t align with our goals, and the locations weren’t ideal,” she said. When CCC came onto their radar in winter 2025, it was an answered prayer. Payne highlighted the center’s multiple outdoor play spaces; a USDA grant that promotes healthy, balanced meals; and an exceptional staff that checked all of her boxes. “Knowing that she is getting nutritious food throughout the day - they have a full kitchen on site and provide breakfast, lunch, and snacks - has actually helped with our household grocery budget,” Payne added, praising the efforts of the kitchen staff. The UDSA grant is an example of how funding streams coordinate to create a system where top-notch care is available to lower-income families, Justus explained. "Having that grant for the past three years allows us to continue to offer bigger discounts through the sliding scale," she said. And, maybe most importantly, CCC did not just accept Payne's Department of Social Services (DSS) subsidy, they welcomed it. There was no judgment or hesitation. There were already many children at the center with the same aid, and the process was seamless, Payne said. “We looked at a few centers closer to my work, and their tuition was very close to a mortgage,” she said. “At one point, we had to consider selling our house and renting so that I could stay home to take care of her.” “The ability to use our subsidy [at CCC] has meant that she can get a quality start on education - better than I could even give her on my own, even though I have quite a bit of early childhood education background myself. That’s a testament to how much they go above and beyond,” Payne said. Along the way, Payne learned an important lesson that she wants to share with others. “Even if someone doesn’t qualify for services like food stamps or FAMIS, they could qualify for childcare assistance, right in their community,” she said. “They should definitely apply.” “We may be receiving financial aid, but we are not compromising one bit,” Payne added. It can get complicated, for sure, but, “It’s absolutely worth it," Justus said. “We take a lot of pride in that. Every child deserves the right to have a good start out in school," she said. "This is the place where they are being introduced to school and the routine. We’re setting them up for kindergarten and their whole education beyond that.”
MISSION HIGHLIGHT: The Value for Quality Childcare
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YMCA Commitment to Affordable Childcare Takes Many Forms By Dawn Medley
Nearly 90 percent of preschoolers at Community Child Care, which operates under the SAYMCA umbrella, receive discounted tuition to help pay for quality childcare.
CONNECT WITH US!
CPR and First Aid Training Does your job require you to be CPR/FA certified? Do you need to keep your certification current? Interested in learning how to save a life? We offer a four-hour class that will give you the tools you need. October 16 | 4 - 9 PM $85 Members/ $100 Non-members
We are so excited about our new website: SAYMCA.ORG It integrates with the software we use to manage memberships and program registrations. Members and program participants can: Join online Access their account through the website Register for programs online with ease Your experience matters to us! Email Eleanor Rixey at eleanor@saymca.org with any questions or concerns.
PICKLEBALL See Basketball Court Schedule Free for members. $10 Drop in rate for non-members.
You can opt out anytime. Just reply STOP.
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BIBLE STUDY 9 AM Mondays Multipurpose Room
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MAHJONG 10:30 AM Fridays Multipurpose Room
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IMPROVED COMMUNICATIONS!
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Text SAYMCA to 545-39
Muscle Max with Eleanor
LAND and WATER GROUP FITNESS
Arms & Core Bums &Tums (BB Court) Barre Fit 4 Life (BB Court) Lift & Pump Muscle Max Senior Fitness Step Strength Tabata Zumba
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Adaptive Yoga Tai Chi Chu'an Chair Yoga Vinyasa Yoga Gentle Flow Yoga Pilates Men's Yoga PACE Wall Yoga (Racquetball Court)
NOW HIRING!!
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GROUP FITNESS CLASSES IN THE CARDIO/STRENGTH STUDIO
GROUP FITNESS CLASSES IN THE MIND-BODY STUDIO
CERTIFIED AQUATIC G.F. INSTRUCTORS!!
Cycling classes available in the Cycling Studio Mondays and Wednesdays at 6 PM
Aquatic Group Fitness
Print outs available at the front desk with class descriptions on the back. Challenge yourself to attend 3 classes a week!
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Group fitness classes are included with your membership! Non-members can purchase a pass of 10 classes for $90.
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
AQUAFIT 9-9:55 AM Peggy Tammy ( 26)
AQUA YOGA 9 - 9:55 AM Karen
AQUAFIT 9-9:55 AM Peggy Tammy (28)
AQUAFIT 10-10:55 AM Peggy Tammy (26)
SPLASHBURNER 10 - 10:55 AM Karen
AQUAFIT 10-10:55 AM Peggy Tammy (28)
AQUA YOGA 11 - 11:55 AM Karen
GENTLE AQUAFIT 11:15AM - 12PM Joyce
SPLASHBURNER 6:00 - 7 PM Karen
FRIDAY
SPLASHBURNER 9-9:55 AM Karen
AQUAFIT 10-10:55 AM Karen
GENTLE AQUAFIT 11:15AM - 12PM Joyce Tammy (2)
SPLASHBURNER 6:00 - 7 PM Jenn No class 10/16
COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT: Dean Crawford and YBL
MISSION HIGHLIGHT: CPR and First Aid Training
Until he provided a newspaper article, Dean Crawford’s grandson didn’t believe him. In fairness, scoring 63 points in a YMCA youth basketball game sounds more like the stuff of legend more than a verifiable part of local history. Plus, it was 1970. Sometimes, stories get exaggerated over time. The US Army veteran and retired corrections officer doesn’t blame his grandson. When he was his grandson’s age - early teens - he could hardly believe it himself. Crawford needed to see the newspaper, too. “Somebody called and said, ‘Man, you are in the newspaper,’” Crawford said. “I said, ‘For what?’ He said, ‘for all those points you scored.’ I didn’t know anything about it. We got the paper. My dad and mom were so proud of my brothers, sisters and me. I was on top of the world. I didn’t think I would ever achieve something like that.” THE GAME All basketball players know what it’s like to get in the zone. Nothing about the physical dimensions of the rim change, but the rim feels like it’s as big as Lake Tams. At the old YMCA facility downtown, teenage Dean Crawford was having one of those days. “It was just one of those days where you just couldn’t miss,” he said. “I didn’t even shoot any free throws, maybe five or six. It was just jump shots and lay-ups. And there wasn’t any 3-point line.” The statistician took notice that Crawford was in rare air. “I didn’t believe it,” Crawford said. “The guy comes up to me and he’s like, ‘Do you know how many points you have?’ I said, ‘No, not really. I’m just out here having a good time.’ He said, ‘You’ve got 40-something in the first half. You could break the record here.’ I wasn’t trying to break any records. I’m just out here having a good time. That’s what the game meant to me. I just enjoyed it.” MAKING NEWS The article starts by announcing that Crawford broke the YMCA Prep League basketball record with his 63-point performance. As reporting methods were different in 1970, the article also listed his parents’ names and his home address. It went on to document that the teen hit 29 two-point field goals on his way to breaking the 59-point mark recorded eight years earlier by Wayne Brown. Crawford’s team, the Bruins, beat the Royals by a score of 96-16. Not the stuff of legend. A documented part of local basketball history. “My grandson didn’t believe me at first,” Crawford said. “Now, he knows. He smiles and says, ‘Granddad, I didn’t know you were that good.” “LIVE YOUR DREAMS” Crawford went on to star at Robert E. Lee under hall of fame coach Paul Hatcher, averaging over 20 points per game. He once dropped a team-high 42 points in a game. “Dean Crawford was so good,” said Jarrett Hatcher, Bridgewater College assistant basketball coach and son of Paul Hatcher. At that time, the high school played in the largest classification in the state, but he and his teammates always held their own. “For the little team we had,” Crawford said, “we showed them what Staunton was all about.” A huge sports fan, Crawford came to the interview with a Dallas Cowboys hat that perfectly matched his Dallas Cowboys shirt. Although he’s a big football fan, basketball will always be his first love. "Back in the day, l loved basketball,” he said. “I still love basketball. I love the game. I’ve always thought the world of it.” As the 2026-2027 YMCA youth basketball league season approaches, Crawford simply hopes kids have the same experience he had at the Y. “Live your dreams,” Crawford said. “If you dream that you could, you can, but you have to have that dream within you.”
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Youth Program Participant Reflects on Program's Lasting Impact, Personal Record By Chris Lassiter
Train for a Few Hours, Learn to Save a Life in Seconds By Karen Landers
Tara Henley grew up experiencing the delightful chaos of being one of six so entering the playroom came naturally to her. “I really love it here,” she said. Henley and her siblings were all homeschooled. It can make it challenging to enter the workforce to start getting the experience that most companies require. However the playroom provided that essential opportunity to Henley who started working in March. “I was looking for a new job, and I've always wanted to work with kids. However, [ with ] me being homeschooled, I feel like, people don't really give you very much of a chance in that department.” At 25, Henley needs that experience to develop professionally and with aspirations to pursue a career in child care she is gaining invaluable hands-on experience. “Being here showed me that it's a little more difficult than what I thought it was gonna be. They're a lot and they're loud, but I love seeing how quickly they grow up. It's really cool.” Growing up the fourth of six children taught her about responsibility and patience. “Now that we're all older, it definitely shows how close it made all of us,” she said of her siblings. It’s not much different than when the children come to the playroom. For those morning and evening hours all the children and staff are a family. “My favorite part is definitely seeing the kids learn new things,” Henley said. From one week to the next they develop so quickly. Now that she has been here for some time she has become familiar and the children look forward to seeing her. “It's a genuinely awesome feeling,” she said. Positions like this are not only integral to the development of the children. They are also giving essential work experience to people like Henley who want to pursue a career in childcare. Our families rely on this service so that parents and caregivers can be their healthiest. Henley has found a place to belong and grow in our Playroom. “If everything goes as planned then I'll be here for a good while,” she said.
Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) began in 1987 as a summer service program for Kansas City youth. Today, YVC is a network of affiliated organizations across the U.S. and Canada running that same program by engaging youth ages 11-18 in team-based, structured, diverse, flexible service-learning opportunities. We are proud to support a local chapter of this wonderful organization!
STAFF FEATURE: Meet Tara Henley
Our playroom is currently accepting applications!
STAUNTON-AUGUSTA FAMILY YMCA | 708 N. COALTER ST. STAUNTON, VA. | (540) 885-8089 | SAYMCA.ORG
Scan to view the job description. Apply online at saymca.org or in person!
For more information and to sign up visit YVC online:
Staff Member Finds Opportunity, Passion in Playroom Position By Eleanor Rixey
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