Editor's Note: The Mel Korum Family YMCA has been a gathering place for families in Puyallup and beyond. As the community continues to grow and change, the Y has evolved right alongside it. We sat down with Kyle Eggenberger, Executive Director, to talk about what makes Mel Korum special, the return of Late Nite, and how the center continues to meet community needs.
How has Korum grown alongside the region?
We’ve definitely seen growth here, especially in the diversity of our community, which is fantastic. We don’t just serve Puyallup. We also serve Graham, Eatonville, unincorporated Pierce County. This branch has really become a hub for so many people in our community.
That’s a big geographic footprint. What has helped make Korum a hub like that?
When you walk in, our number one goal is for everyone to feel safe, welcomed, and connected. Our staff is intentional about building community within the larger community, and you can feel it. Relationships are built at every level, from Child Watch to Active Older Adults. Staff get to know members on a personal level... Their dreams, their goals. It’s a culture you don’t get in a lot of other places.
We get to hear about people’s lives and be there for them and help them navigate life’s challenges. We have a member who picks up another 96-year-old member, brings them to class and to ping pong, because he knows how important it is for that member to be here.
That kind of culture doesn’t happen by accident.
This is a 26-year-old facility, but people walk in and think it’s brand new because of the intentionality behind our equipment, programming, and interactions.
Things don’t happen here by accident, they happen with purpose. Korum’s at a phase where you’ve seen multiple generations grow up through our programs. A grandparent is a charter member, now they’re bringing their grandkids to our programs. Everyone has each other's best interest at heart. This is many people’s third place, but even their second place if they don’t have that at home, work or school.
When I was a kid, Teen Late Nite was a huge deal in Puyallup. It went away for a few years, and it recently came back. What has the response been like so far?
Teen Late Nite has been phenomenal. We’ve had students come from all different high schools. They may have rivalries at school, but here they’re on the same team. In week one, we had 17 teens attend. Ten weeks later, we had 200. It’s a free program that gives teens a safe place of their own, with basketball, volleyball, fitness spaces, food, and supportive adults, and all of that is resonating with the teens.
Collaboration must have been essential in bringing it back.
It’s a true partnership with the City of Puyallup, Puyallup School District, Communities in Schools, Puyallup Food Bank, our Advisory Council, and the police department. We knew the need was clear. Puyallup has one of the highest juvenile crime rates in Pierce County, and that helped solidify the importance of bringing this program back.
It started with a $45,000 grant approved by the school board, and then the city awarded an additional $20,000 grant. It all shows the power of partnership. As individual organizations, we may be limited, but together, we can create more opportunities for youth.
You’ve got a strong foundation in place here. What excites you most about the future?
It will be driven by what our community wants and needs. It’s about listening to those needs and finding ways to come alongside people where they’re at, which is how something like Late Nite can come back. The sky is the limit with the buy in we have from our members and community partners. We’re just honored to be a part of it.