Jeri Smit

Before joining the YMCA, Jeri Smit’s idea of exercise was simply walking from her desk to the counter and back to her desk again. She may have worked in a treasurer’s office until she was 76, but she admits it was the YMCA that “taught me everything I know.”

Jeri is now a familiar and loved face within the Newton YMCA’s Active Older Adult and Boomer community — participating in SilverSneakers, Boomer Bootcamp, Water Works, Water Tabata, Stability, and Yoga. Through these classes, she built strength, confidence and friendships that would soon mean more than she ever imagined.

In April 2025, Jeri suffered a stroke and drove herself to the emergency room. She spent three days in the hospital and temporarily lost her ability to speak. During that time, her Boomer and SilverSneakers teammates surrounded her with prayers, cards, encouragement and constant check-ins. Jeri later said with a smile, “Everybody loves me, I think.”

Jeri truly believes that being active at the Y helped her body withstand the stroke with no lasting physical limitations. Today, she’s back to doing everything she loves. While she still speaks more slowly, her progress has been incredible. 

As only Jeri can say it: “God told me to shut up and I did… The Y saved me and God did too!”

Jeri’s story is a powerful reminder of what our Active Older Adult and Boomer teams are all about —achievement, belonging, encouragement and real relationships. They celebrate progress, lift each other up in hard moments and prove that community can truly change lives.