By Cindy Morand, 19, reporting from Buffalo, NY, on the global effect of your local YMCA
You can ignore the “Men's” and the “Christian”—the YMCA is for everyone, and even they seem to have phased out their original name. But the Youth part is worth keeping in mind. The YMCA is a great organization that many know as a sports club. Now, I'm not knkocking any place with a pool—most Ys have them—but there's a lot more to be found here. Their mission is to help people, often young people, have a healthy spirit, body, and mind. There's a Y near you and Ys all over the world, in countries from Gambia to South Korea. Their services change people's lives.
Two years ago, I did community service Thailand, in the Chiang Mai branch of the Y. I taught Thai youth how to speak English and helped to renovate a school in a small village. I strongly recommend for all you guys to check out the youth programs at your local YMCA. There's leaders club, youth and government, entrepreneurship, volunteer abroad opportunities, and more. Plus, you can go for a swim while you're there. —Cindy Morand