Sandy Kimball

My journey with the YMCA began 20 years ago, right out of high school. I walked into the El Dorado YMCA to submit an application because I thought it would be a fun place to work — and honestly, the discounted membership didn't hurt, either. What I didn't realize at the time was that I was taking the first step toward discovering my passion and the career I was meant to pursue.

I started working in an after-school program, then became a camp counselor and eventually a director for both programs. Along the way, I learned the value of investing in young people and how even the smallest acts of encouragement can make a lasting impact on a child's life.

As my own family grew, the YMCA gave me opportunities to grow, too. I was able to transition into roles that fit the different seasons of my life while continuing to serve children and families in meaningful ways. Today, I've come full circle and am once again working directly with students and families in the community as part of the Wichita Collective Impact initiative.

What I never expected when I walked through those YMCA doors at 18 was that I'd gain a second family. Over the years, I've worked alongside incredible people who have cheered me on, challenged me to grow, made me laugh on hard days and celebrated life's biggest moments with me. We've watched each other grow from young adults into parents, leaders, mentors and friends. Some of my favorite memories and strongest relationships have been built through the YMCA.

Every day, I strive to show families that they are loved, supported and capable of achieving great things. Through my journey, I've seen firsthand that the YMCA truly is “For All.” Whether it's staff, volunteers, members or program participants, there is something special about people coming together to strengthen a community.

Looking back, I often wonder what my life would look like if I had taken a different job at 18. Instead, I found a purpose, a career and a family I never knew I needed. Twenty years later, I'm still here, still passionate about the work and still grateful that a teenager looking for a fun job and a cheaper gym membership ended up finding exactly where she was meant to be.