Annie

When Annie first walked through the doors of the North YMCA in 2019, she was looking for hope.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer, she joined the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program, where she found strength, encouragement and a community that believed in her every step of the way. Three months later, Annie completed the program and, even more important, celebrated remission.

Her YMCA journey didn't end there, though. It was just the beginning.

Annie found herself stepping into group exercise classes like Chair Yoga, Boomer Bootcamp and Water Tabata. What started as a way to stay healthy quickly became something much greater. She found a group of faithful friends who became family. They cheered each other on through life's highs and lows, created a birthday club to make sure everyone felt celebrated and built the kind of friendships that extend far beyond the walls of the YMCA.

Today, Annie is one of the first smiling faces new participants see.

She makes it a point to welcome newcomers because she remembers what it felt like to walk in for the first time. As Annie says, "Sometimes we just need to feel seen and know that others are there for us."

Her kindness doesn't stop with adults. Whether she's enjoying coffee in the lobby with her friends or heading to class, Annie is always ready with a warm smile and a hello for the children arriving in Kid Zone, making every member — young and old — feel like they belong.