The Perfect Fit
Kellen Westering currently serves as the Association Member Experience Director of Engagement Center and Member Services at the Association Office.
It was a rainy night in May, as my family and I were driving on Market Street in downtown Tacoma to surprise my Aunt Suzzy on her birthday. My dad pulled the Chevy Van in the loading zone and threw on the hazards. He told my sisters and I to wait in the car, as my parents were going to bring my Aunt Suzzy outside to sing her Happy Birthday. I asked if I could go in but my dad told me I couldn’t since I had to be at least 15 years old to enter. My nine-year-old self shrugged my shoulders and then my focus went immediately back to playing Madden on my Gameboy. As a few minutes went by, my head popped up and looked out the window. My eyes saw the sign, “YMCA.” At that point, I thought my Aunt Suzzy was a professional singer because of the YMCA song on my Kidz Bop CD. As my head became buried again in my Gameboy, I heard screaming and shouting coming from the YMCA building. I paused my game and went outside to check it out. I could feel the joy and electricity coming from inside and at that moment, all I wanted in the world was to be 15 years old so I could experience the magic inside. That was my first experience with the YMCA.
I soon learned that the YMCA was way more than a song and while my Aunt Suzzy can sing, her profession was fitness and wellness as the Executive Director. She was with the Y for 16 years and started at the Y with our very own CEO Charlie Davis. She held 5 different roles between 4 different centers including helping open the Tacoma Center as well as Mel Korum. Not to mention, she was the first female Executive Director for the Association. It has been remarkable to see the reaction of Staff at the Y when they find out Sue Westering is my aunt. It’s always been a resounding, “She was incredible!” The other day I was working out at the Lakewood Y. I was in my regular gym clothes, no nametag. I struck up a conversation with one of the members about his experience at the Y. He talked about how much he loved the Y and how it's truly been a home away from home for him. He went on to tell me how there was one former Director named Sue Westering who really affected him in a positive way and how he wishes I could of met her to witness her influence. I stood there in amazement smiling and thought to myself, “Wow, what impact!”
One of my best friends also worked at the Y. My wonderful mom Susan. She worked at the Tacoma Center for 5 years as a Program Director. I’ll never forget when Charlie showed me a picture of my Aunt Suzzy and my mom in his office. It was of the staff at Tacoma Center in 1983. They both looked the same as they do today. There was pure joy on their face. I call it the “Y Joy.” There’s a different type of joy that only the Y can bring you. It’s a shot in the arm of belonging. A shot in the arm of purpose. And a shot in the arm of fulfillment.
Growing up, I participated in late night and a few community events at the Y but never was a member. I also may hold the record for most guest passes ever purchased. A true regret of mine is becoming a member only a few months ago. I’ve been with the Y for 5 months now and to say I am loving it wouldn’t do its justice. I believe if the YMCA and I were on a dating website, we would’ve matched. But how did I get here?
From trying to own my own Chick-fil-A, to playing professional American football in Germany, to working in Orthodontics and Dentistry, and discovering myself and my faith most of all, I had been searching for something to fill my passion gas tank. I remember having deep talks with my grandma Jackie who passed away a few months ago, about finding a career that would bring me life. She was always so worried about me and wanted me to find something that brought me consistent joy. Once I stepped away from the restaurant industry, I knew I wanted to work somewhere that aligned with my core values. Faith. Family. Fitness. I remember vividly sitting in my living room thinking about what my next career would be. It was like a game show buzzer went off in my head, “Ding Ding.” The YMCA would be perfect I thought! The next day I reached out to Brian Flattum to start the conversation. Brian played football for my grandpa Frosty and my dad Scott at PLU. It came full circle as my Aunt Suzzy hired Brian for his first job at the Y 28 years ago. Brian got me in touch with the fabulous Tara Bywater. Tara and I stayed in touch as the months followed until the right role opened up. What’s so amazing about the Y is the people that make it so incredible. Whenever there’s an opening at the Y, it’s not a rebuild, it’s a reload. Megan Sala ended up taking over Tara’s role and what a dynamite move that has been. I’ll be honest, I was very nervous knowing my supervisor wasn’t going to be who I thought it was at first, but Megan has been the biggest answer to prayer. She transforms opportunities into valuable lessons and she truly cares for each one of us association wide.
My dad would always tell me if I love what I do, I’ll never work another day in my life. Well, I haven’t worked in five months. I’ve built countless relationships with staff and members and I’ve found a career that fills my passion gas tank. I love being able to live out my heart for hospitality by working in Membership. My grandpa Frosty taught me to, “Make the Big Time Where You Are” and so I’m trying to instill that mindset to our teams at the Welcome Center. I’m also able to live out another passion of mine with working at the Y. Pickleball. I believe the game of pickleball embodies our mission statement as it’s truly, “for all.” When you look across the court, you see kids all the way up to Seniors playing and every age in between. Recently I held an “Intro to Pickleball” Workshop at the Tacoma Center. The next day, I am walking out of the Morgan Y to grab something from my car, and I hear, “Kellen!” I turn my head to see Andy and June with their pickleball paddles in hand. They both attended the workshop the night before and that had been their first time ever playing pickleball. I was ecstatic they were playing pickleball but what’s even more special is the fact they had just met for the first time the night before. One of the reasons I wanted to infuse these workshops besides teach them the game was to build community. It truly was so invigorating to see Andy and June live out what the Y is all about: Building relationships. My hope is to facilitate these workshops at all nine centers.
2022 was a milestone year for me. I married the girl of my dreams, and I got the job of my dreams. I’m truly blessed beyond measure to be working at the Y. I know my grandma Jackie is smiling down knowing I’ve found a career that brings me life. I sometimes think back to my nine-year-old self, who was itching to walk through the doors of the Tacoma Center. The boy who was inspired by the magic of the Y just by the sounds coming from inside. I still have that same itch before I walk into all nine centers but now I have a nametag (my badge of honor) and I’m now part of the magic. When people ask me how I’m liking being at the Y, I always respond with, “How much time do you have?” because I could speak about the joy I’m experiencing at the Y for hours. I believe the joy we as a staff get by working at the Y gives us a competitive advantage in life and we’re going to continue to cultivate it.
I want to thank Charlie for tapping me on the shoulder to share my passion. I also want to thank him on behalf of the Association for his vision and his extraordinary ability and leadership to guide us at all times! At the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties, we embody unified resilience, and we get that from Charlie Davis.
My passion gas tank is filled up the most when I get to love others and serve others. Thank you, YMCA, for giving me the opportunity to live that out every day. A perfect fit.
- Staff Blog by Kellen Westering