For A Better Us

At the First Coast YMCA, we believe in the power of community, healing, and resilience. Today, in honor of World Stroke Day, we are proud to share an incredible story of strength, determination, and recovery—Trace Miles’ story.

In 2021, Trace experienced a life-altering stroke. As a result, every aspect of her daily life changed. From relearning how to walk, speak, and use basic tools like a toothbrush to overcoming chronic pain, Trace had to embark on a humbling journey of recovery. The stroke also presented emotional challenges—using pre-K workbooks to relearn writing and 3rd-grade materials to regain basic math skills was a daunting task. Yet, Trace fought back with perseverance, supported by the care and dedication of her therapists at Revive Rehab.

Despite the odds, Trace made remarkable progress—so much so that even the doctors were moved by the determination and resilience displayed throughout her recovery. But Trace knew that the journey couldn’t stop there. After much thought and prayer, she made a life-changing decision to rejoin the Brooks YMCA.

Doing so was more than just an opportunity to regain physical strength—it became a crucial part of Trace’s emotional and spiritual healing. Upon returning, Trace was met with kindness and support from the entire Brooks YMCA team, starting with Nicole Payne. Knowing that sensory issues could make navigating a busy gym challenging, Nicole personally guided Trace through the facility and suggested quieter areas for workouts. Her kindness and understanding immediately helped Trace feel confident about rejoining.

And it didn’t stop there. Sharon and Loretta at the front desk greeted Trace every morning with warm smiles and positive energy, setting the tone for each day. Their genuine care and hospitality were invaluable to Trace’s daily motivation.

Trace also took a leap by enrolling in swim lessons—an area that had become particularly difficult post-stroke. But thanks to Jamesha, a young instructor wise beyond her years, Trace found the strength to push through the challenges. Jamesha’s patience and encouragement turned what seemed like a daunting task to Trace into an achievable goal. Though relearning how to swim with impacted limbs and coordination was hard, Jamesha’s belief in Trace made all the difference.

One of the most transformative parts of Trace’s YMCA journey came in the Y-Fit class led by Veronica Gustafson. At first, the class seemed intimidating; joining a high-energy fitness group after recovering from a stroke was no small feat for Trace. But Veronica’s compassion and adaptability eased those fears. She took the time to modify movements to ensure Trace could participate safely and at a pace that worked best for her. Her reassurance that progress would come with patience helped Trace push through moments of doubt.

The supportive atmosphere Veronica created extended beyond her instruction—the entire class became a source of encouragement and camaraderie. They weren’t just a fitness group; they became Trace’s family. As time went on, Trace grew stronger and more independent in the class, and the progress didn’t go unnoticed by therapists.

Inspired by the improvements, Trace took on another challenge: personal training sessions with Veronica. These one-on-one sessions have already paid off, revealing areas for further growth and showing Trace just how much more is possible. Veronica’s constant encouragement pushed Trace out of her comfort zone and closer to her personal goals of strength and well-being. Trace’s recovery story is a testament to how the right support system can lead to incredible transformation.

At the Brooks YMCA, we are honored to have been part of Trace’s recovery journey. We believe in fostering a welcoming and compassionate environment for all our members, and Trace’s story is a powerful example of how the Y community can uplift and empower those facing the toughest challenges.

Trace’s journey is ongoing, and the progress is undeniable. From the support of caring team members like Nicole, Jamesha, Sharon, Loretta, and Veronica, Trace has not only found hope and healing but has embraced life with renewed strength and purpose.

We are proud to celebrate Trace’s story of resilience every day, but especially on World Stroke Day. Trace reminds us that recovery is more than just a return to normal—it’s about thriving in the face of adversity. The best is yet to come, and we’re excited to continue walking alongside Trace on her incredible journey.

At the First Coast YMCA, we believe in the power of camp to build bridges between communities, cultures, and countries. This summer, in partnership with the YMCA of the Philippines, YUSA’s Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (GDEI) initiative, and the Asia Pacific Islander Leadership Network (APILN) National Committee, we had the privilege of hosting Jayson from the Philippines as an international camp counselor. This opportunity was made possible by the Philippines Coalition, which sponsored Jayson’s journey to learn and experience an American overnight camp firsthand.

During his time at YMCA Camp Immokalee, Jayson not only embraced our camp’s century-old traditions, but he also brought a unique perspective, rooted in his rich cultural background, to our community. Through collaboration, he enhanced his leadership skills and found innovative ways to bring those learnings back to the YMCA movement in the Philippines. His journey represents the beginning of something much larger—a shared dream to establish overnight camps in the Philippines, empowering Filipino youth just as we do here at Camp Immokalee.

This experience has reaffirmed the power of international exchanges and the incredible potential they have to shape the future of YMCA programs across the globe. We look forward to continuing these partnerships, fostering connections, and creating more opportunities for cultural exchange between our countries.

Here is Jayson’s story, in his own words, reflecting on his time with us and the impact this experience has had on him, both personally and professionally.

Jayson’s Story

At the start of summer 2024, I embarked on a journey as an international camp counselor—an opportunity to explore how a YMCA camp in the US runs. Coming from the other side of the world with a different cultural background, I arrived at YMCA Camp Immokalee with a blend of excitement, eagerness, and apprehension, fervid to share and improve what I had while immersing myself in a more than century-old American camp.

The first week at camp was full of adjustments and skill advancements; it was the training week when I initially interacted with my fellow counselors and learned the necessary competencies. The phase of adapting to a new environment, understanding cultural differences, and finding footing in an unfamiliar place. But the welcoming atmosphere, enthusiasm of my co-counselors, and the values and inclusive outlook the camp upholds made it easy to adapt.

YMCA Camp Immokalee provides diligent and wholesome training, empowering the counselors. Thus, leading us to be a better version of ourselves by maximizing our potentials to create the so-called “magic moments” for the campers. All while helping us build camaraderie, making us each other’s strong support system. Together, we get through challenging times, celebrate successes, and create a safe and fun environment for the staff and the campers.

As the days progressed and when the summer camp was in full swing, I began to realize how incredible and rewarding the role is and how impactful a camp is for young people. Each day’s interaction with campers was just momentous—a source of continuous learning and an avenue to make a difference. It was a roller coaster ride; some days felt too slow, and others felt too fast. The slow days were when you experienced challenges, while the fast days were just good days that I wished to last longer. I found joy in seeing the campers try to face their fear of heights, getting through it while being there as the facilitator. It was just a fulfilling feeling, knowing you were a part of such a milestone. I loved witnessing the campers grow, discover, or develop new skills, become confident, and build lasting connections.

Reflecting on my time as an international camp counselor, I realize how fortunate I am to have such an informative and transformative opportunity. The experience has provided me with personal growth and professional advancement, broadened my worldview, deepened my understanding of cultural diversity, and enriched my YMCA perspective as a staff.

I am beyond grateful to everyone who made this undertaking a reality: YMCA of the USA, YMCA of Florida’s First Coast, YMCA Camp Immokalee, YMCA of Albay, and the YMCA’s Asian Pacific Islander Leadership Network (APILN). After such an immeasurable experience, I wish the YMCAs in the Philippines could also have camps like those in the US.

The Summer Olympics has begun in Paris, and continues through the middle of August, as the world’s best compete in a variety of sports and events. The First Coast YMCA has a unique connection to several of these sports and are introducing more people to them every day.

Click the images below to learn more.

Joyce Delifus Swimming

Laura Tomaselli Gymnastics

George Oancea Swimming

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There is a connection to international swimming at the Brown Family YMCA in swim coach George Oancea. George is a native of Romania and was on the Romanian national team before coming to the United States to swim collegiately at the University of Indianapolis. George is having a clear impact on the children he’s coaching at Brown, as several of his students have become state champions. When he’s not coaching youth swimmers, George serves our community as an analyst with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

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The Dye Clay Family YMCA recently invested in new gymnastics equipment in the back portion of the branch. There isn’t an extensive amount of gymnastics resources for the community, including in Orange Park, which makes this equipment especially valuable for kids.

Branch Executive Director Brooke Foerman, Instructor Laura Tomaselli, and several of the parents of child participants were recently featured in a series of stories with the local sports program In The Game, which highlighted the program’s impact on local families.

Among the equipment they have at the branch are a spring-loaded tumbling surface, balance beam, uneven bars, and additional resources for unique programs like Ninja-nastics, Nerf battle, and cheerleading.
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The YMCA has been a starting point for many Olympic hopefuls in swimming – here’s a list of this year’s Olympic and Paralympic trials qualifiers who have a YMCA connection.

Here on the First Coast, we have several ties to world-class swimming, including with one of our most beloved partners, Joyce Delifus. Joyce is an incredible advocate for children learning how to swim and has partnered with the YMCA to offer those services to the community through the Shawn Delifus Foundation. The nonprofit is named after her late son who was a swim instructor with several organizations in the community – including the YMCA – and taught Olympic gold medalists and former Bolles School swimmers Ryan Murphy and Caeleb Dressel. Shawn passed away in 2016 but Joyce has kept his memory, and love for swim instruction, alive in the community.

Joyce’s team instruct hundreds of kids at the Johnson Family YMCA and was recently interviewed by First Coast News about the foundation and Shawn’s legacy.  Watch the First Coast News story here.

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We’re proud to share an inspiring story from Becky Richmond, a dedicated member of the First Coast Y family. Becky has written a heartfelt piece for YUSA, reflecting on the importance of allies in our journey towards greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her words resonate with our commitment to fostering an inclusive community for all.

Read Becky’s full article, Thank You to My Allies, on the YUSA blog and join us in celebrating the allies who make a difference every day.

Read It Now

By: Jewel Hardwick

When I was just a young student at YMCA Tiger Academy, the idea of attending college always loomed large. From early on, the teachers and staff instilled in us that we were the “Class of 2024” — a graduating class with a defined path to earn our bachelor’s degrees after completing elementary, middle and high school. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of what that meant – 2024 seemed like a lifetime away.

Our classroom themes, field trips, guest speakers – everything was oriented around exposing us to the college experience from an early age and making it feel achievable. I’ll never forget the big trip we took in 5th grade to tour Spelman College, Morehouse College, and Clark Atlanta University. It was my first time really traveling out of state, and the fact that we toured historically Black colleges in Atlanta made a huge impression on me. The teachers wanted us to see the full path of possibilities ahead.

The expectation that college was the next natural step after high school became deeply ingrained. So, when it came time to apply to universities, the process felt like an exciting milestone rather than an intimidating unknown. With the guidance of YMCA Tiger Academy and the Episcopal School of Jacksonville, I was awarded a QuestBridge scholarship to attend Colby College, a private liberal arts college in Maine, where I have pursed a double major in Global Studies and East Asian Studies. My YMCA Tiger Academy origins opened doors while simultaneously empowering me to walk confidently through them.

Tiger also provided an incredibly supportive, tight-knit community during my foundational years. With small class sizes and teachers who went the extra mile, they weren’t just educating us, they were looking out for us holistically as young kids trying to navigate life. From staying late to reviewing my college application essays, to even providing meals for my family when we struggled – the YMCA Tiger Academy staff became an extended family.

My mom had to stretch every resource to get me and my sister through those years. Not living near where Tiger was located, she’d wake up early and drive us across town each morning, then volunteer at the school during the day. Tiger opened up opportunities my family wouldn’t have had access to otherwise.

Now, I can’t help but look back in awe at how far I’ve come — and how much I owe to those earliest seeds planted by the staff at YMCA Tiger Academy. Their model works, as they reach kids from underprivileged communities early and wrap them in a supportive environment of high expectations and exposure to possibilities.

The expectation set by YMCA Tiger Academy ultimately became self-fulfilling, as I’ve earned the incredible honor of a Fulbright Scholarship. This will allow me to spend the next year after graduation immersing myself in the culture of Taiwan as an English Teaching Assistant while fostering cross-cultural connections.

I’m deeply grateful to YMCA Tiger Academy, the First Coast YMCA, and the Episcopal School of Jacksonville for their unyielding support and belief in my potential. None of it would have been possible without being empowered from that very first day when I learned I was part of the “Class of 2024.” YMCA Tiger Academy changed my life’s trajectory in ways I’m still understanding. And for that, I’ll be forever grateful.

YMCA Tiger Academy is a privately funded, public charter elementary school established in 2006 with the mission of preparing students for future academic success. The school goes beyond just enforcing rigorous academic standards by encompassing character development, personal and social responsibility, and strong family involvement. Tiger Academy’s environment nurtures a love of learning and sets high expectations for all students while bridging the achievement gap. From an early age, the school emphasizes college readiness, with curriculum and experiences designed to make higher education a natural and achievable next step.

The transformative impact of YMCA Tiger Academy is made possible through the generous support of individuals, businesses, and organizations who believe in the power of education to change lives. Donations help ensure that Tiger Academy can continue to provide a high-quality education and supportive environment for all students. These contributions provide essential resources like classroom materials, technology, transportation for field trips, meals, and professional development for the dedicated teachers and staff.

Support from the community allows Tiger Academy to continue providing this distinctive educational model that has proven transformative for many young lives.

To be a part of YMCA Tiger Academy’s mission and life-changing work, donations can be made at ymcatigeracademy.org/about/donate. Every gift helps ensure more students like Jewel can benefit from Tiger Academy’s empowering combination of high expectations, access to opportunities, and caring support system.

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Their journey at the Y began in the spring of 1996 when they started their first jobs as high school students. Starting in Youth Development, they began their careers in our Summer Camp and Before and After School Programs. Over the past 28 years, they have worn many hats within the First Coast YMCA. Today, Burt can be found at the Winston Y as the Associate Executive Director, while Kathy leads as the Vice President of Membership and Experience at our Metropolitan Office. What started as a high school friendship blossomed into a beautiful love story – they were married in the Spring of 2002 surrounded by their Y family. The Y isn’t just a workplace for them; it’s a second home where their two children, Avery and Will, have grown up surrounded by love and community.

Kathy and Burt are fully dedicated to their work at the Y . Their commitment to the Y’s cause of strengthening the foundations of the community aligns perfectly with the organization’s values. Working for a cause that directly impacts the lives of those they serve is not only fulfilling but also enriching, which is why they continue to choose to serve their community in their roles at the Y. Kathy and Burt’s experience at the Y exemplifies the power of dedication and belief in a shared mission. Their unwavering commitment to making a difference reflects the core values of the organization and serves as a beacon of hope for those they serve. As they continue to work towards strengthening the community, their determination and passion will undoubtedly inspire others to join in the cause and make the world a better place for all.

Candace is the Associate Vice President of Day Camp, Family Programs & Community Engagement. Tim is the Vice President of Operations and Healthy Living.

Candace and Tim met back in 2013 when they were assigned on a new project together. As they were working together, there was definitely a spark and chemistry. After spending time together, they began dating.

After a year of dating, Tim and Candace were engaged and will celebrate their eight year wedding anniversary this coming May. Their wedding was truly a Y wedding. The First Coast YMCA CEO Eric Mann officiated the wedding; the marketing team designed all the signage; the Y’s accountant was the DJ, a few other Y staff were the day-of wedding planners and the engagement photo and rehearsal party were hosted by the Y’s Healthy Living team. More than half of the guest list were people we meet or worked with through the years at the Y. It was a magical evening full of so much love and always lots of laughter. 

Tim and Candace truly found their community at the Y. 

“We’ve dedicated our lives to serving people and doing good. We hope pass this along to our sweet kiddos, Lincoln and Willow. Plus, we even found our fur baby, Pepper running around the Y,” says Candace.

The Burrows thank the Y everyday for finding one another! They truly have a YMCA Love Story and continue to write more chapters as it continues.