Christopher Doherty’s YMCA StoryA Lifelong Y Connection
Christopher Doherty’s YMCA Story
Chris’s first experience with the YMCA was in the first grade. His parents registered him and his sister for weekly swimming classes. Chris and his family lived in a small town in Western Massachusetts, about 20 minutes away from the Y.
“That was how we learned to swim, a huge milestone in a child’s life that is remembered forever. You never forget the first time you swim into waters that are over your head.”
Fast forward a few years, Chris and his family moved towns but were lucky to be close to another YMCA.
“It was great to have the Y in our neighborhood because it was always just a few minutes away on a bike or on foot. The local YMCA remained a fixture in our lives until we graduated from high school and moved away. I think my fondest memories were of playing pickup games of street hockey with a group of my very best friends.”
Chris finds his kids having similar Y experiences that he had growing up.
“They met friends to hang out, shoot baskets, and lift weights. As was the case when I was growing up, our kids grew up with the local Y in the neighborhood, always just a few minutes away on foot. Our youngest son is now 18 and is preparing to graduate from high school. He goes to the Y for a workout quite often.“
In his professional career, Chris maintained a connection to his Y.
“I created and ran language camps in Spanish, French, German, ASL, and Chinese. I also brought some home school groups to the Y for Spanish instruction. I have lost much of my eyesight now due to a genetic retinal disorder from birth. But I still encounter kids and their families throughout the city who I met in those foreign language camps. Some of them stop me on the street as I walk with my guide dog.“
The YMCA has had a strong for Chris and his family. He wanted to highlight two particular pieces.
“First, the Y can play a healthy and helpful role in our lives, whether we are young or old. Second, the Y is a local nonprofit. This means that the revenues it generates are used to deliver programs, cover costs, and provide services to the community. All proceeds stay local.”
