Katie spent the first seven years of her life in the foster care system. She experienced loneliness, food insecurity, and limited access to the opportunities many of her peers had. But at age 4, her foster family began taking her to the Mel Korum Family YMCA for swim lessons and gymnastics. Because the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties offers free memberships to youth in foster care, Katie was able to participate when she needed it most.
At the Y, Katie made friends in programs that allowed her to explore, play, and belong. To a child in the foster system, the stability she experienced at the Y was life-changing.
“The Y offers access to things you never imagined you could have,” Katie said. “There is always an adult that is ready to listen to you. You can’t count on that in foster care."
Today, Katie works at the same Y that she visited as a child. She teaches culinary arts, theater, physical education, basketball, and serves as a day camp counselor.
“Because of my experience at the Y when I was young, I decided I was going to be somebody a kid could trust, rely on, and talk to.”
Katie has become that caring adult who shows up every day for kids who, like her, just need someone in their corner. Her story is one of resilience, but it’s also a story about what’s possible when a child is given access, support, and a place to belong.