YMCA of Southern Maine
For a Better Us.™
Growing Stronger as a Family
The Woody Family
For the Woody family, the YMCA is more than just a fitness center – it’s a place where their entire family has found community, confidence, and opportunities to grow together. Stephen and Melissa Woody, along with their children, have made the Y an integral part of their daily lives.
Their youngest daughter Emmie thrives in the Y’s Prime Time childcare program, where staff members create a nurturing environment tailored to her interests. “Everyone knew her. It gave her a place of security. She really thrived,” Melissa shares. For their teen son Levi, the Y provides a space to build healthy habits and strong friendships after school. “It’s been really good for our oldest son to come here after school and work out with his friends,” Stephen notes.
Melissa’s own journey at the Y exemplifies personal growth through community support. “When I first started, I was really intimidated to go into the weight room,” she recalls. With Stephen’s encouragement and the supportive community at the Y, she gradually built both strength and confidence. “Everyone was supportive and encouraging. We ended up making friends at the gym and kept progressing,” Melissa explains.
For the Woodys, their YMCA journey isn’t just about staying fit – it’s about growing stronger as individuals while building a healthier, more connected family life together.
What started as individual goals has deepened their family bonds. Stephen and Melissa work out together every Friday, cheering each other on. The impact extends beyond exercise – the Y has expanded their social circle in meaningful ways. “We’ve had people over to our house that we’ve met at the gym,” Melissa shares. “Building friendships together – that’s super important to us.”
Thanks to generous donors, the Y's programs and membership are available to every family, regardless of their ability to pay.
Stories like the Woodys' are possible because the Y believes that every individual and family deserves access to opportunities that strengthen their bodies, minds, and connections to one another. This belief is a cornerstone of the YMCA's mission, made real each year by the supporters who invest in it.
