For A Better Us

The Bombachs get to live and serve in the booming metropolis of Keystone Heights, home of YMCA Camp Immokalee.  Jessica serves as the Group Retreat and Events Director and Richard is the Executive Director.

Why They Love the Y:

Our faith is a big part of our marriage, family, and our purpose. At camp, we get to practice what we preach each day. Camping is not just a job for us, but a lifestyle & a ministry. We’re called to Love Our Neighbor, and we get the opportunity to do that by creating a safe, healthy community at YMCA Camp Immokalee.  We live the mission of the Y and ensure we are a place for all to thrive.

 Marriage & a Union of Impact:

We actually met at a summer camp in Texas back in 2008, got engaged at camp in 2009, and had our Camp Director officiate our wedding in 2010!  We knew that if the opportunity ever arose that we would love to serve in a camp setting.  We moved to Keystone Heights in the spring of 2022 and have been so fortunate to have a wonderful community in this small town. As a family living at camp, we love that we get to be “mom & dad” to our summer staff over the course of 12 weeks of camp.  We couldn’t imagine a better place to raise our two daughters, which have the greatest role models and influences in our summer camp counselors.  With Richard being diagnosed (and beating!) cancer two different times since 2017, we get the opportunity to be an example of positivity, joy, and perseverance to our campers and counselors. We are beyond fortunate to be a part of the First Coast Y and live life not only with purpose, but ON purpose!  

Georgette, Brooks Family YMCA Group Fitness Coordinator, coordinates a group exercise schedule that encompasses 92 land and water based classes. 

Tony serves as the Property Manager of North Jacksonville and Nassau County YMCAs, including the YMCA Tiger Academy Charter School, Johnson Family YMCA, YMCA at Wildlight and McArthur Family YMCA.  

Military Meeting

Tony and Georgette have a 48 year combined military service career with the United States Navy (27 for Tony and 21 for Georgette). They met March 1985 on Diega Garcia, a remote British-owned island in the Indian Ocean and married two years later in Cleveland, Ohio July 1987. 

Diego Garcia is where Georgette found her love of teaching group fitness classes to a captive audience of military personnel mandated to attend Physical Readiness Training. 

In 1996, both Tony and Georgette transferred to Afloat Training Group, Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida.  Tony’s duties, which included ship inspections, required many days deployed away from home.  Georgette, though on “shore duty,” responsibilities required many long hours in support of ship operations and manpower.

Their Y Story

In search of an opportunity for physical fitness and knowing the base gym/fitness center did not allow children, Georgette recalled her membership with the YMCA in Cleveland, Ohio.  With Anthony and Jordan in tow, she found the Arlington YMCA, formerly located on Fort Caroline Rd.  

The Y became her salvation, support, and family. The dedicated and loving individuals in Kidzone nurtured and cared for Anthony and Jordan as if they were their own. They helped them with homework, social interaction skills and taught them the importance of being part of a team. Anthony and Jordan both learned how to swim and play basketball at the Arlington Y.  Later, Anthony joined the swim team and a lifeguard. 

“I sometimes look back and wonder what would we have done without the Y,” said Georgette.

Looking Forward

In 2025, the couple will celebrate 40 years together. Many of their first 20 years were spent apart due to our military obligations. Nothing could ever diminish or replace the pride and honor they have expressed serving their country. Now, they share pride and honor in serving their community through the Y, an organization that gave to them in their time of need. 

Quincy’s Thoughts

My name is Quincy Wimberly and I’m the First Coast YMCA Project Manager of Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Recently, I attended The Boys and Young Men of Color (BYMOC) Convening in Washington D.C with Ja’Barris Briggs, Johnson Family YMCA Senior Program Director of Teen Programs. The BYMOC strategy was created to cultivate success, make investments, and

establish new paths that allow boys and young men of color to reach a higher level of potential. Their goal is to support boys in their communities by creating sustainable economic and social mobility as they reach adulthood.

It was transformative to hear about the support system they implement to eliminate systemic barriers for boys and young men of color, most notably in disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline. This strategy is crucial for character development and builds up new leaders within our communities. As a young black man, I obviously connected with this strategy and attending this convening improved my understanding of how it directly affects a young man’s outcome.

Ja’Barris and I were quick to realize additional ways to align the BYMOC strategy with the core values of the First Coast YMCA, including by emphasizing youth development through healthy living and social responsibility. It’s more than just a commitment; it’s a calling deeply rooted in the essence of the YMCA’s mission. As Ja’Barris leads our teen programs, he witnesses firsthand the transformative power of investing in the young men in the community. This strategy serves as a beacon of hope, where we can provide support in education, college/career readiness, character development, and a space to address health and well-being. – Quincy Wimberly

Ja’Barris’s Thoughts

Working with these teens, I’ve seen the spark of leadership kindle and grow. Their journeys, often marked by obstacles, have revealed remarkable resilience and determination. But it’s not just about the individual; it’s about the broader community. When we support these young men, we’re investing in the community’s future leaders.

The BYMOC strategy means everything to me and I feel it’s necessary given where I came from. I was the product of a single-parent household, which historically put the odds against me. We didn’t have any resources like this growing up and it was hard. I persevered, though, and my position with the Y now inspires me to create an avenue for success for today’s young men. The biggest goal I want to accomplish is to be there for as long as they need me, through high school, college and beyond.

The BYMOC strategy is more than just a program, it’s a lifeline. It’s a chance to rewrite the narrative for young men of color, and a commitment to building a brighter future for the Jacksonville community. We’re actively pursuing opportunities to be a part of this transformative journey at the Johnson Family YMCA. We can set up times to mentor, offer career readiness sessions, and provide additional preparatory skills to guide men into a new chapter of their lives. – Ja’Barris Briggs

My name is Migdalys “Migdy” Sanchez.  I was born and raised in Puerto Rico.  I have two beautiful daughters and a wonderfully busy 2-year old grandson.  When I was 14 years old, I was diagnosed with Keratoconus, a sight disorder, that led to me being declared legally blind.  I went through 3 corneal transplants.  Thanks to the procedure and some special lenses, I am fully functional.

In my early 20’s, I was in the auto sales industry and working towards becoming a sales manager.  Then, in 2010, my life took a sudden turn.  I moved to the U.S with 2 daughters, 5 suitcases and $100 in my pocket.  I did not speak English at the time.  It was only through God’s grace and some determination on my end that I made it through one of the toughest times in my life.  I also began my fitness journey about that time.  Through the support of good friends and some great instructors, I lost 100 pounds.  Through my weight loss journey, I was inspired to get certified as a Zumba trainer. My Y career started as an instructor, teaching classes at the YMCA of Greater Springfield.  I worked my way from instructor to wellness floor attendant and eventually a Branch Executive Director.

In 2021, I moved to Jacksonville to work for the Florida First Coast YMCA as the Executive Director of the YMCA at Baptist North branch. For the last 2 years it has been a blessing to lead this amazing team and serve a community that has welcomed me with open arms.  As I celebrate a decade with the YMCA in January 2024, I celebrate my Hispanic roots and the opportunities that have brought me to the YMCA and living a healthy lifestyle. I received my translation Certificate to translate from English to Spanish through American Translator Association. Recently, I was a planning committee member for the Regional Emerging Multicultural Leaders Experience conference in Jacksonville Florida.  I support my Hispanic YMCA colleagues by being a part of the YMCA HLLN “Hispanic Latino Leadership Network” and mentor the Healthy Living Director at the YMCA in Puerto Rico.  I feel pride in supporting my country and advance the work of the YMCA.

Maria was born and raised in Cali, Colombia, South America.  She is the youngest of six girls. As a youth, Maria had the opportunity to participate in many sports, including competitive tennis, swimming, and participated in the Colombian National Synchronize Swim Team. She is very proud of her Hispanic Heritage and feels very fortunate to be able to share it with many Y staff. Hispanics are warm welcoming people and they love to celebrate with dancing and food. Building relationships is in the DNA.

She has lived in different areas of the country since the 80’s: New Jersey, Las Vegas, North Carolina and Florida. These experiences have giving her a great appreciation for many cultures.  While in Florida and NC, she developed and implemented community-based programs that provide services to Hispanic populations. Her first experience with the Y was many years ago while she attended high school in New Jersey. When she was part of the high school swim team, the school team practice every week at a local Y in Randolph, NJ. She was new in this country and participating in the swim team helped her feel like she belonged. This is the place where she made her first American friends.

She started her professional Y career over 20 years ago in North Carolina as the Program Director of the Hispanic Achievers. She had multiple roles including the Executive Director of Childcare.  After 9 years, she took a position with the YMCA of the USA national office as a Technical Advisor for a National Program: “Welcoming Hispanic Families.”  Three years later, she moved to Jacksonville, Florida to join the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast to lead the Youth Development department. Currently, she is the VP of Operations and Youth Development. Maria has been able to stay true to her passion since she was a little girl, which impacts the lives of youth and families. She feels very fortunate to work for an organization that is nimble enough to become what the community needs. In 2019, Maria opened the New American Welcome Center, located off Old Kings Road South in Jacksonville. This project has been a dream for many years, and with the help of leadership, partners and staff, this dream became a reality. The center was the first of its kind within the Ys in the state of Florida.  It continues to provide needed services to the new immigrant community.

She has been volunteering for many years as a member of the Steering Committee for the YMCA National Hispanic LatinoLeadership Network, one of the Employee Resource Groups. She co-leads the Professional Development Program, and she is passionate about helping Hispanic staff advance in the national YMCA movement. “I want them to see the Y as a long life career opportunity.”

Maria has had the opportunity to travel internationally to South Africa to support the work the YMCA does in many of this country’s cities. She also makes sure to visit the Y in Colombia when she travels back to visit her family. She was part of the task force who helped in the post Hurricane Maria efforts at the Puerto Rico YMCAs. In addition, she has mentored staff in San Juan and delivered bilingual trainings to its staff. The worldwide reach of the Y is one of the many aspects she loves about this organization.

Statement from Eric K. Mann, YMCA of Florida’s First Coast President and CEO, Regarding New Town Shooting

We are outraged and saddened by the senseless hate and violence that claimed three innocent lives. Our community can and must do better. Now is the time for us to come together to love and support the victims’ families and stand together against this and other hateful acts.

We must each play a role in creating a safer and more welcoming community. We must encourage one another to build a more inclusive Northeast Florida. We must protect the rights of every person in our community, including the right to safely complete errands on a Saturday afternoon.

Now, more than ever, we must inspire and empower one another to stand together against hate.

I am a proud member of the YMCA Asian Pacific Islander Leadership Network (APILN) International Leadership Institute (ILI). The APILN selected 7 YMCA leaders from across the United States, all of whom are ofAsian-Pacific Islander descent, to join in a year-long commitment as members of the 2022-2023 ILI cohort.  The ILI is designed to cultivate leadership skills, cultural competencies, cross-cultural understanding while creating a platform for intercultural dialogue and learning in the YMCA movement.  In April 2023, the APILN-ILI group embarked on an international trip to Asia in an effort to bring back experiences, knowledge and collaborative opportunities to our respective YMCA communities. Let us tell you what we saw, who we met and what we did on this unforgettable journey. We all experienced personal and professional growth, while gaining a new perspective and expanded vision of the YMCA Global Movement.

After 5 months of virtual meetings, the APILN-ILI cohort met in-person for the first time at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and began this adventure together with anticipation and excitement as we were led by Ms. Trang Truong-Hill, YUSA Director of Global Services.

During the 10-day journey, our team met with key YMCA and community leaders of South Korea and the Philippines for cultural understanding, support and information sharing.

SOUTH KOREA

Our learning in Korea focused on the history of war and the road to peace and reunification, including progress in key areas such as youth empowerment, civic engagement, climate action, university YMCAs, international programming and more. YMCA Korea is part of a collective effort to strengthen peace efforts with Korea and Japan and helping to build awareness of this important cause.

We are grateful to our hosts, National General Secretary Kim Kyung Min and International Secretary Deaun Yang, who curated a special program that provided access to spaces not typically available to visitors as well as insight into local history and culture.  <see PHOTO 1>

One of the most powerful moments was a special tour in Cheorwon-Gun, a county in Gangwon Province located next to the border with North Korea in the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

By Stephanie

In April 2020, I moved to Nassau County with my son Sirius in hopes of a brighter and better future.  I had concerns about finding childcare where Sirius would fit in, but most importantly, somewhere safe, welcoming and affordable.  My neighbor and staff at Sirius’ elementary school suggested YMCA’s AfterSchool Program, so I applied for financial assistance and found that childcare at the Y was not a financial burden, but a relief.  More importantly, Sirius immediately started making friends with ease.

The AfterSchool staff were very accommodating to Sirius’s needs, took time to get to know him as an individual and ultimately became mentors and a new support system.  Needless to say, we will forever be grateful for such an amazing first experience with this Y program.

Soon, we joined the YMCA at Wildlight and were able to take advantage of all the Y has to offer.  The Y membership allows me to take time for myself.  Being a single mom, I spend so much time and energy making sure my child has everything.  The Y membership gives me an opportunity to do something for myself- take care of my own spirit, mind and body. I found my own sense of community.  From group exercise to making new friends, the Y has become the place that allows me to build my support structure.

Sirius thrives in the programs and looks forward to seeing his Y friends daily in karate class, summer day camp and so much more.  The Y provides a place where my son has a sense of community, a place where my son is surrounded by good role models that help him manage his confidence, teach responsibility, empathy and respect for other.  It feels so good knowing that my son has a safe, welcoming, nurturing place to learn and grow.

As a financial assistance recipient, I admire how the staff team makes my family feel so welcomed.  Sometimes asking for help is hard and even embarrassing.  But not at the Y!  Everything is handled with care and everyone is genuinely happy we are members. We immediately felt like we were joining a family. Our Y family.

We will forever be grateful for all the Y has done to strengthen our family and for the generous donors who helped make this possible for us through the financial assistance program.

The YMCA Saved Our Lives

By: Shantel Davis, First Coast YMCA Member and Board Member, Metropolitan Board of Directors

Could you jump into a pool to save someone’s life? In the deep end? What if it was your child? That’s a scary thought, but it’s a nightmare I lived through when my daughter was five years old. Had both of us not learned how to swim at the YMCA, she might not be alive today. 

It was clear from a young age McKinley was a fish. She took swim lessons at the YMCA when she was two years old and loved it. It’s so important to get your kids in the water early so they develop critical skills that’ll last a lifetime.

That was never more evident than the day she got stuck in a neighborhood pool. She was maneuvering her body to try and free herself, but she was trapped. There was no lifeguard on-duty, so I jumped in and pulled my daughter out. She wasn’t breathing, so I administered CPR and was able to revive her before taking her to Baptist Medical Center, where Dr. Neeraj Neval, Neocritical Care ICU Medical Director took over.

I remember sitting in the emergency department, soaking wet, wondering what would happen next. I knew my daughter would survive, but would she be afraid of the water for the rest of her life? I didn’t have to wait long to find out.

About a month later, our neighbors asked us if we wanted to go the Williams Family YMCA to watch their kids take swim lessons. I immediately tensed up. I remember thinking the only way my daughter was going to be around a pool again was if we sold our house and bought one with a pool so we could constantly keep an eye on her. Reluctantly, I agreed to go with our neighbors and McKinley came too. 

I’ll never forget that car ride. She initially stared quietly out the window but then spoke up. 

“Do I have to get in the water?” she asked. 

“No, of course not,” I replied.

A few minutes passed.

“If I just want to put my feet in, can I?” she said. 

“Yes, if you want,” I answered.

We eventually got to the pool and after watching her friends go through their class, McKinley stood up and said, “I’m ready.” 

When she jumped in, I immediately started crying and thanking God for seeing us through this.

My brave little girl, who I had to bring back to life just a month prior, fearlessly got back in the water and started swimming like nothing had happened.

It’s incredible to witness the heart of a child but in that moment, it was just as moving to see the heart of everyone at the pool. As soon as McKinley started swimming, they all started to applaud and cheer. They didn’t know our story and what she had been through. Rather, they were cheering simply because that’s what the Y family is about – we support one another to live healthy and fulfilling lives. I’ve never felt more supported at the Y than I did that day.

Because we live in Florida, we’re almost always around water. Still, there are a surprising number of adults and children who don’t know how to swim. If that’s you or your child, please reach out to your local Y and sign up for lessons. If it’s important for your child to breathe, it should be just as important for them to learn how to swim. I know what it’s like to see my child not breathing, but because she and I both know how to swim, she’s alive today and enjoying the water, like every kid should.

Personal Training Through Life’s Ups and Downs

As an avid athlete participating in half marathons and endurance bike riding, Richard Robinson has always led an active lifestyle. Looking for a place to maintain his fitness, he and his wife joined the First Coast YMCA. Richard would come to the Y about once a week for a spin class while his wife could’ve been described as a “gym rat”, working out about 5-6 times a week. That is until she unexpectedly passed away in March 2022.

Grieving from a tragic loss and looking to fill his time after retirement, Richard returned to the First Coast YMCA two months later. However, he needed something different. He needed professional guidance and someone who was going to push him physically and give him an outlet to process his trauma. After assessing Rich’s situation, Director of Community Integrated Health Programs Connie Smith paired him with personal trainer Shelley Zawatsky.

“What Rich was looking for was for an individual that would help propel him to do the races,” said Connie. “But he was also looking for someone who would push him since he is pushed all the time.” Shelley did not hold back. With 17 years of experience as a personal trainer, she knew how to challenge Richard with full body workouts, while keeping him accountable to continue his sessions. Shelley used Richard’s athletic background as motivation for his upcoming races to train him with a goal in mind.

Because of these training sessions, Richard found a place that became his community and gave him not only a place to exercise, but a place to create friendships. Making the YMCA part of his routine helped him feel like he used to.

Ready to be back on the bike, Richard embarked on the Three Rivers Ride in St. Marys, Georgia. After completing the 62-mile race, Richard was celebrating with friends and fellow racers, including Connie Smith, when the unexpected happened. Instead of enjoying a well- earned beverage, he was being rushed to Baptist Medical Center after suffering a stroke.

Thankfully, Connie had recognized the symptoms of a stroke early enough and Richard was treated quickly while enduring minimal physical damage.

The stroke didn’t stop him, and Richard didn’t want all of his hard work to go to waste. After only four weeks, he was already back training with Shelley. “He has done better than I could ever imagine,” she said. “All we did was lower the weights, but the workouts were the same.” Through these ups and downs of life, the sessions continued to give Richard the need for consistency to help him feel back to where he was pre-stroke. “I’m still a slow runner though,” he joked.

No matter what is going on in your life, the First Coast YMCA will be there if you are ready to train and put the work in. The Y will meet you at wherever you are physically and push you toward your goals. Richard is back to running and biking, and even led a pacing group in the 2023 DONNA Half Marathon.

Richard’s athletic background made him a great candidate to continue with Shelley on his road to recovery through personal training. However, his case is not the same as for all stroke survivors. Those looking for recovery through physical activity should consider the Stroke Wellness program partnered with Brooks Rehabilitation. Individuals can participate in this program as long as they need to with the goal to restore strength, endurance and agility. Learn more about this and other adaptable wellness programs here.