“The YMCA helps me out a lot. It keeps me off the streets and out of trouble. I got a choice to make I either gang bang or play hoops. I do dis. The Y keeps me from hanging out and selling drugs. Especially Late Nite on Friday nights when I don’t got nothing to do. I can come down here and play hoop all night instead of going and robbing somebody or just posting out on the street doing nothing. The Y helps me from all that gang activity that happens up in the MOK and the Hill. You feel me.
-Colonius YaMcClair, teen, young adult
“The Y means to me a place to go. It’s a place other than the streets. The Y staff helps me on my homework. Late Nite gives me something to do at night. It keeps me out of trouble and keeps me focused on what I really want to do. I just hope they keep the Y open for kids like me that really don’t have anywhere else to go. Keep me out of the streets. All this gang bangin violence. Keep them in the Y keep up focused. The Y really is a good place to go
-Mike Bird, Late Nite
“Everyone here is great. I have made a lot of friends here and a lot of business contacts. I have never seen to many disturbances. It’s a great place to come to feel good about yourself. Everyone is real local. The basketball is good here. From what I have heard its some of the best basketball in Tacoma.”
-Paul
“I have been active participant in Late Nite for 6 years. I can honestly say I see the Y as my 2nd family. The YMCA has really helped me. My parents didn’t believe in education. People at the Y told me I could do it when everyone else told me I couldn’t. I look at the Y as an organization and family that tells people they can do it. I am graduating because of the Y. It I am so thankful to be apart of the YMmCAY. I will be an advocate for the Y for the rest of my life. The values the YMCA has instilled in me will last forever.
-Darren DeLeon, Late Nite
“The Y has helped me a lot with my game and to talk to people. I go to TCC and play basketball.
-Jordan Emmit, Late Nite girl
“I have learned how to respect others through the YMCA. The YMCA has helped me stay out of bad activities. Stay friendly.”
-Nathan, Extreme Late Nite
“I have learned how to get along with other people. Have fun. Respect others. They help me with my situation if I am having problems. The let me know what is right and wrong. They have taught me alot
-EJ, volunteer on Fri and Sat
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