AT THE YMCA OF COASTAL GEORGIA . NOT A GYM , A WAY OF LIFE .

Words : Amy Bartlett / Photography : John Alexander

N THE WORDS OF JOEL SMOKER , CEO OF THE YMCA OF COASTAL GEORGIA , “ THE Y IS BIGGER THAN A GYM , IT ’ S A MOVEMENT AND A COMMUNITY ,” FOR THE MORE THAN 83,000 MEMBERS WHO WALK THROUGH THE DOORS OF THE 10 AREA LOCATIONS , TO THOSE BENEFITING BY THE Y ’ S OUTREACH PROGRAMS .

LIVESTRONG

In partnership with the LIVESTRONG Foundation , the YMCA has developed a small-group cancer survivorship program for those who are living with , through or beyond cancer . Nazira “ Nana ” Waldo is one such survivorturned-wellness and “ LIVESTRONG at the YMCA ” coach , who teaches spin and Zumba at the Tybee and Habersham locations . In 2012 Waldo got a call saying she needed to come in for surgery for a lifesaving lumpectomy . Her response ? “ I can ’ t . I have to teach a Zumba class .”

She had the surgery of course , but that strength is what made her perfect to take on LIVESTRONG , the program she says is for “ cancer warriors and survivors . They come to us going through chemo or radiation , or having completed it , and we customize the program to their needs .” Waldo is the perfect leader of the pack because , “ I ’ m able to look them in the eyes and say , ‘ I ’ ve been there , I ’ ve been through it – we can do this together . We ’ re a family .’”

A PLACE TO DREAM

That sense of family reaches out through programs like A Place to Dream ( APTD ), run locally by Pastor Herb Hubbard , one of less than 30 remaining YMCA chaplains in the US .

Hubbard , a former foster child , is deeply moved by APTD which , in partnership with the Housing Authority of Savannah , provides “ a space of their own ” for children sleeping on floors , couches , chairs , or several to a bed . This includes beds , bedding , toys , hygiene items , Bibles , and a flashlight – both a literal and symbolic light in the darkness .

Hubbard understands this , being placed in five foster homes as a child , sleeping on floors or in tough situations before he landed in a good home . He remembers thinking , “ If I ever get out of this , I will never sleep in the dark again .” To this day he doesn ’ t and he ’ s making sure other kids don ’ t either .

This December , the 111th bed will be delivered locally , and Hubbard hopes that in 2022 the Y will be able to do even more . The cost for each is around $ 300 but this effort changes everything from peace of mind to health , growth , and wellbeing . The APTD program is also expanding to Statesboro , with a delivery of approximately 10 beds before the end of the year , and also has plans in place for more deliveries in the new year .

“ We ’ re to be a light to the world like Matthew 5 and that ’ s what the Y is working hard at ,” said Hubbard . “ Our CEO , Joel , strongly believes the Y is not just a fitness center but here to be a light in people ’ s lives , not with sympathy , but empathy .”

“ Health is more than fitness or spending time in a gym . It ’ s about wellness and what wellness can mean ,” said Smoker . It ’ s in the YMCA tagline : “ Youth Development . Healthy Living . Social Responsibility .” When you connect the dots between that mission and their programs , you find the YMCA is at the heart of so much good and life-change , especially here in the heart of the Coastal Empire . •