Ivy and Abram Delgado

Ivy began attending the YMCA KEY Academy before- and after-school program four years ago as a kindergartener. Each morning, when her mom dropped her off, Ivy would cry as she struggled to say goodbye. It was a difficult transition.

Luckily, her KEY Academy teacher had a plan. He greeted her with a big smile and an enthusiastic “good morning” every day. He offered games like cards or puzzles, invited her to draw or color, and, when needed, gave her space while making sure the other children respected that space, too. He seemed to understand exactly what she needed, even when she didn’t yet have the words to express it.

Ivy’s mom, SanJuanita Yanez, soon noticed what Ivy’s teacher was doing was working. Little by little, Ivy stopped crying because she felt safe — and that made all the difference.

Ivy’s younger brother, Abram, joined KEY Academy two years after she did. He was in second grade. Luckily, he had a big sister who had been through this before and was ready to help him be as brave as she was. Ivy played games with her little brother, colored with him and sat beside him so he wouldn’t feel scared – and it worked.

“Looking back at how the YMCA has supported our family since 2020, the YMCA has been like a second parent in our family," SanJuanita said. "I can’t say thank you enough for the programs, the time, the care and the love that the YMCA provides for my family.”