When Yadi turned 33, she decided to celebrate in a new way. Instead of a party or gifts, she challenged herself to move 33 miles in one week and invited others to join her and give $33 to support youth in foster care with free memberships at the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties.
What started as a small idea snowballed. One friend joined the challenge, then another, then ten. Family members participated. Her husband’s business partner pledged $10 for every mile she completed. By the end of the week, Yadi had logged 36 miles and raised more than $1,200.
“I’m not a big poster [on social media],” she says. “It was really out of my comfort zone. But every time I thanked people online, more donations came in. It was really cool to see my friends and family rally behind something that mattered.”
The idea started during one of her Saturday cycling classes at the Mel Korum Family YMCA. Instructor Debbi had organized a special ride to benefit local kids in the foster care system. Hearing about the need stayed with Yadi.
“Not all kids get the same opportunities,” she says. “If this helps another child try swimming or gymnastics, it’s worth it.”
In 2024, nearly 5,000 youth were in the foster care system in Washington state. In an effort to help provide those children with access to opportunities and stability, all youth in foster care are eligible for free membership at the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties. Gifts like Yadi’s help make that possible.
A year that changed everything
Only a year earlier, Yadi had just joined the Y with her husband and two young daughters. Life as a mom of toddlers had left her feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from the active person she used to be.
“I didn’t even realize how much I was drowning until I looked back,” she says.
Friends kept suggesting she join the Y, but it wasn’t until she heard about the Child Watch program that she became a member. When she finally did, her daughters could only stay for 15 or 20 minutes. Yadi used that short time to walk laps on the indoor track. Over the weeks, those minutes stretched to hours. The girls made friends, and so did she.
Walking became running. She lost thirty pounds. She started to feel like herself again. Now fitness is part of their family rhythm. “If I don’t move, I feel stressed and irritable. Doing something makes me feel more present as a mom,” Yadi says.
From self-care to service
Today, the Y is a daily rhythm for the whole family. Mornings are for workouts. Evenings are for swimming and gymnastic lessons for Yadi’s daughters. “We joke we should start paying rent because we’re here so much,” she laughs.
Yadi’s story is a reminder that small starts can lead to a big impact. A year of showing up turned into 33 miles of movement and more than $1,200 raised for kids who need a place to belong.
“For moms, you can find yourself again,” Yadi says. “Motherhood does define you, but you can still have that piece of yourself. And it’s okay if that takes time.”
DONATE TODAY TO SUPPORT FOSTER KIDS IN PIERCE AND KITSAP COUNTIES