812-934-6006Y Stories
LIFEGAURD ON DUTY: JOE CRUSE
“Everyone that steps into this pool is my responsibility,” says Southeastern Indiana YMCA Lifeguard, Joe Cruse. “Before I became a lifeguard, I thought it was mostly just sitting around, but after going through training and working at the Y, I take my job very seriously.” Cruse has been a swimmer all his life, participating in…
Read MoreFINDING HER PEOPLE: LAURA SIPPEL
“Last July a friend of mine invited me to go to the Y and join her Tuesday morning workout group at 6:00 am. At first I was very intimidated. What is a man-maker exercise? I had no idea! But the cool thing was, everyone I met had their own story to share with me. Everyone…
Read MoreFinding Strength: Rosetta Bennett
Rosetta Bennett credits the Southeastern Indiana YMCA with helping her get her strength and endurance back. Fourteen years ago, the St. Leon resident was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. She underwent 5 months of chemotherapy and 28 radiation treatments and had a mastectomy. “The following year I had reconstructive surgery. Five years after that,…
Read MoreY Story: Krissy Jackson – Strive for Progress, Not Perfection
Every journey has a beginning. For Y member Krissy Jackson, it was in mid-2019. “I felt like death. I was at my all-time biggest weight, and I didn’t want to go anywhere.” It’s hard to believe this when you meet Krissy, because of her infectious laugh, warm demeanor, and she is a self-described social butterfly.…
Read MoreY Story – Forever Splashing
“Last year I was really missing the water,” says charter Y member and lifeguard, Elizabeth Hall. “I began working for the Y at the Welcome Center in 1995. I went on to become a lifeguard and water arthritis instructor and worked at the Y for 16 years. Then some other opportunities came my way, and…
Read MoreConnected For Life
Staying connected to others is the key to staying committed to being active says John Strange. At 93, Strange is leading by example. Strange is part of the 5:00 AM workout crowd at the Y. He comes in 4-5 days a week and is very popular. In between workout sets, he can be seen saying…
Read MoreY Story: Strength Training Improves Health
Each individual has his or her own personal reason for exercising. Two Batesville women have discovered the health benefits of adding strength training to their workouts. Maureen Grote started attending the BODYPUMP group exercise class when it was first offered at the Southeastern Indiana YMCA about three years ago. The 73-year-old, who had a bone…
Read MoreWhy the Y?
….Because our Y offers a wide variety of activities to keep all of our members interested. “The Southeastern Indiana YMCA has been a Godsend for me! I joined the YMCA about a year ago.” says Y member Ginnie Faller. “Since then, I have lost 35 pounds, made new friends, and joined a community of people…
Read MoreWhy the Y? Because of members helping members.
Y Member Lee Smith lost her regular form of transportation to the Y. Lee’s daughter Kathy reached out to Senior Adults/Volunteer Director Bonnie Pratt for help. Bonnie connected Lee with Rita Jaisle who now brings her to the Y. In daughter Kathy’s words, “Thank you for your thoughtfulness, time and energy in connecting my mom,…
Read MoreWhy the Y? Building Confidence
Thanks to the generosity of two sponsors, “Moriah” was given the opportunity to attend the Y Summer Camp. “Moriah” suffers from low self-esteem and struggles with feelings of depression and worthlessness. She is usually withdrawn and often isolates herself from children in her age group. After just a few days at camp her overall positivity…
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