The Y recently launched “My Y Story,” a new video series featuring familiar faces who share their personal Y stories and discuss the Y’s community impact. Featured stories include those of Olympic gold medalist and Y youth participant Allyson Felix; chef and Y donor and volunteer Marcus Samuelsson; Oscar®-nominated actor and lifelong Y member Ethan Hawke; Los Angeles Lakers Forward and former Y youth member Kyle Kuzma; actress and Y member and volunteer Jane Lynch; and chef and television personality Andrew Zimmern.
My Y Story. | Edmunds Brothers
Each year, the Y teaches more than a million children invaluable water safety and swimming skills at more than 2,000 pools across the country. Brothers and lifelong Y members Trey, Terrell and Tremaine Edmunds learned how to swim at their local Y long before they became professional football players. Watch as they visit their hometown Danville Family YMCA to help teach some important water safety skills and share their own “My Y Story.”
My Y Story. | Andrew Zimmern
When the school year ends, millions of kids and teens who rely on free and reduced cost lunches are at an increased risk of going hungry. The Y’s Summer Food Program helps fill the gap by providing nutritious meals and snacks to kids 18 and under at more than 2,500 locations across the country. Watch as chef and television personality Andrew Zimmern visits his hometown Y in Minneapolis, the Harold Mezile North Community YMCA, to learn more about the Y’s Summer Food Program and to share his own “My Y Story.”
My Y Story. | Jane Lynch
Actress Jane Lynch shares her Y story about the importance of volunteering and mentorship while working with a group of teens from her local Y, the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. Watch as she gives the teens advice on building confidence ahead of their talent performance!
My Y Story. | Kyle Kuzma
Growing up in Flint, Michigan, Kyle Kuzma spent his time after school at the Y—playing basketball and staying safe. Learn more about his Y story as Kyle returns to his hometown to surprise a group of kids and talk about the importance of the Y being a safe place for all members of the community.
My Y Story. | Ethan Hawke
Everyone loves to play basketball at the Y, including long-time Y member Ethan Hawke, but there are plenty of other programs to try at the Y. Watch Ethan try something new in Episode 3 of "My Y Story.”
What surprising programs will you discover at your local Y? Visit Find Your Y to find out!
My Y Story. | Marcus Samuelsson
As a volunteer at the Harlem YMCA in New York, Marcus Samuelsson gives back to his community by teaching kids how to cook and then sharing a meal with their parents.
Think the meal they share looks tasty? Use the recipe here to make this meal with your family, then share pictures of your delicious creation using #MyYStory on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
My Y Story. | Allyson Felix
Using her running career to pique their interest in STEM, Olympic gold medalist and Y youth participant Allyson Felix leads a hands-on experiment with Y kids from the Crenshaw Family YMCA in Los Angeles, CA.
Think you can build a race car that beats Allyson’s time? Use the instructions here to build a water bottle race car, then send us videos and pics of your project using #MyYStory on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
The Y’s original content series highlights the nationwide impact of the organization through the stories of recognizable faces.
