Category: Personal Y Stories

Already Stronger

Posted on by Kate Haslar

Three years ago, Anthony Chentis injured his shoulder, eventually requiring rotator cuff surgery last year. What was expected to be a month of recovery turned into a longer, challenging journey. When Anthony joined the Y, it became a part of his therapy. At first, he couldn’t move his arm, but being able to exercise in the pool allowed him to feel movement and begin making progress. Now, a year later, he can throw a ball overhand for the first time in years.

This year brought another challenge: a knee replacement. With limited mobility and having to walk with a cane, Anthony appreciates that the Y has lots of equipment for physical therapy and everything he needs for rehab is here. He tries to duplicate the exercises he learned in physical therapy, using things like the recumbent bike, leg press, and walking over hurdles. Though he admits it’s been humbling to relearn basic movements and not be able to lift the weights he once could, he stays committed, coming to the Y every day. He says his victory lap is five rounds up and down the stairs, something that fills him with joy each time he accomplishes it.

Mary Jo, a building supervisor at the Y, observed Anthony on the mezzanine, slowly working his way over the hurdles with a tremendous amount of effort. She shared, “Anthony’s hard work and dedication inspires others to believe that nothing is impossible!”

Recently, Anthony hit a setback when he tweaked his knee. “I was dreading starting over, but I know I’m already stronger. Even with a setback, I’m better than when I started.” When asked what keeps him going, he says, “I want to go do stuff, I want my life back, so I know I have to get up and go do the work.” While it may take another 8–9 months to fully recover, Anthony is grateful “The Y has everything I need to follow through with my rehab. It’s welcoming, clean, and bright—it just makes it easy to be here.”

“I was dreading starting over, but I know I’m already stronger. Even with a setback, I’m better than when I started.”

We’d love to hear your Y story!

Share Your Story

Building Strength & Confidence with EGYM

Posted on Updated on by Kate Haslar

Cheryl Buske is a widow, a mom of three grown boys, and a proud grandmother of six. She enjoys volunteering at Blue Butterfly and Red Cross blood drives and sewing with a close friend once a week.

Cheryl’s primary goal is to stay independent and remain in her home for as long as possible. Her doctor encouraged her to incorporate weight training into her routine, but she found doing it at home was boring. However, through EGYM, Cheryl has enjoyed challenging herself, realizing that it “pushed me past what I thought I could do.” As a result, her BioAge—a comprehensive fitness and health indicator that is built into the Y app—significantly decreased and she has lost 32 pounds and counting!

Earlier this year, Cheryl twisted her knee while walking her grand dog. Instead of sitting around, she continued using the EGYM machines, which strengthened her knee and helped her overcome the injury. Within a few days, she was back on the treadmill with no issues. Cheryl realized that staying active helped her recover faster.

Cheryl’s resting heart rate, glucose levels, and blood pressure have all come down into the lower end of normal. She credits the staff encouraging her for all her progress.

Cheryl says, “My biggest fear about coming to the Y was the fear of the unknown.” However, she quickly discovered that other members were focused on their workouts and she met many people her age. Before the Y, she was intimidated to step into a fitness facility. Now she comes eagerly. Cheryl says she has “gained confidence in myself and my ability to become stronger.”

Through EGYM, Cheryl has enjoyed challenging herself, realizing that it “pushed me past what I thought I could do.”

We’d love to hear your Y story!

Share Your Story

Lessons for Life: The YMCA’s Guiding Hand

Posted on Updated on by Kate Haslar

At the YMCA, Ms. Nancy is a standout instructor known for her diverse skills, particularly her popular Babysitting Training and Home Alone Workshops. On Saturday mornings, the small classroom at the YMCA is filled with eager teens and tweens, ready to learn the ins and outs of taking care of younger siblings or neighbors.

In these workshops, students learn practical skills like how to entertain young children, change diapers, handle emergencies, and prepare simple snacks. But beyond the basics, they learn the importance of responsibility, confidence, and preparedness. Ms. Nancy creates a welcoming and supportive environment, ensuring each student leaves feeling more capable.

When Grace Smith saw that the Home Alone Workshop was being offered, she immediately signed up her daughter, Isla, who couldn’t wait to learn the skills needed to stay home by herself. After the workshop, Isla left feeling confident, and excited and couldn’t wait to put the new things she learned into practice. “It taught me so many things!” Isla said. “Ms. Nancy taught in an amazing way and was super nice!” Grace added, “Nancy was a great instructor, and you could tell she felt passionate about making sure kids knew the necessary skills needed to feel comfortable being home alone.”

The impact goes beyond the classroom. Many students return to share success stories—whether it’s how they successfully babysat for the first time or how they stayed calm during a power outage when they were home alone. At the end of each course, certificates are proudly handed out, with the understanding that it’s not just about teaching skills but also empowering young people to be more prepared, confident, and ready to face challenges ahead.

Is your child ready to babysit or stay home alone?

Sign up for our Babysitting Training or Home Alone workshop.
Learn More Here

Service Without Boundaries Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Posted on by Kate Haslar

When individuals with disabilities age out of school-based programming at 21, families often struggle to find opportunities for them to continue learning and receiving the necessary support. Ten years ago, several families attending the Y’s recreational programs asked if the YMCA at Pabst Farms could provide a day program that would allow their loved ones to grow, learn, and form meaningful relationships while they continued to work and maintain their households. The Y jumped at the chance to serve our participants in this way and, in 2014, Service Without Boundaries (SWB) was born.

Faith O’Leary was one of those families. Her son Kevin has been involved in the Y Special Programs since age 8 and she was overjoyed when the SWB program began just as Kevin aged out of school services. The first day of the program was his birthday. Faith is so thankful to everyone who has been involved in the development and success of the SWB program, “The amount of support our family receives is truly amazing!” Faith appreciates that the program “allows Kevin an opportunity to be involved in HIS community. He has developed friendships with his peers and is always happy and smiling.”

Starting with one day a week and 8 participants, Service Without Boundaries now runs four days a week, serving up to 24 participants a day, and has contributed over 2,000 hours of service across organizations like Oconomowoc Food Pantry, Zachariah’s Acres, Shorehaven Wellness Center, the library and Blue Butterfly Thrift Store.

Missy Kaun, Special Programs Director, reflects “It’s incredible to see how far we’ve come. We started without even having a dedicated space and now we are expanding to include learning, exercising, and crafting.” Full-time caregiver Karen Drwila adds that the program has not only fostered her daughter Kristen’s independence but also provides her with a much-needed break.

The program’s impact goes beyond the participants. Special Programs Coordinator Katie Becker explains, “At the Y we talk about things that fill our cup and often other staff will visit the day program when they need their cup filled. It brings joy to the whole building.”

Reflecting on the journey, former Special Programs Director Jodi Dabrowski highlights the Y’s commitment to community: “I love how the Y can respond to a need. We listen to the families that we serve and do our best to help in any way that we can.” After 10 years, Service Without Boundaries remains a vital program, offering young adults with disabilities meaningful engagement, friendship, and connection to their community.

“The amount of support our family receives is truly amazing!” Faith appreciates that the program “allows Kevin an opportunity to be involved in HIS community. He has developed friendships with his peers and is always happy and smiling.”

Original participants, Kevin, Skyler, Tyler, and Jenn serving at the Food Pantry in 2014

We’d love to hear your Y story!

Share Your Story

A Place for Healing & Support

Posted on Updated on by Kate Haslar

After Darlene Borchardt and her husband, Phillip, retired, they moved to Lake Country and joined the YMCA at Pabst Farms. Every morning, Monday to Friday, Darlene took water classes while her husband worked out upstairs and they formed a great community. In the fall of 2021, Darlene experienced a significant fall that left her in considerable pain. She had to use a walker to get around, relied on a step stool made by her husband to get into their truck, and was
unable to drive. Her doctor recommended hip replacement surgery; however, she needed to lose weight first. Since land exercises were too painful, her physical therapist suggested an exercise routine in the pool so she began using the therapy pool.

Darlene is immensely grateful for the support she received throughout her journey. With her husband’s help, she was able to come to the YMCA and stay mobile. The lifeguards were always ready to assist her in and out of the pool, and fellow Y members often held doors open for her when she used a walker. The staff noticed her weight loss and offered encouraging feedback, boosting her morale. Cindy Grange from Member Services shared, “Darlene has been a true inspiration to many of us working at Member Services. Throughout her health issues, she would come to the Y almost daily, dedicated to making progress and always smiling. Her incredibly positive attitude brightens our day! It’s so good to see her walking without pain!” Even small gestures, like keeping the sidewalks clear of snow and wood chips, made a big difference. Darlene credits the “encouragement and support I received from all of my Y friends and staff which gave me the initiative to stay motivated to keep coming back through this process.”

By January 2024, after following her dietician’s and physical therapist’s recommendations, her BMI was within the required range for surgery. She had hip replacement surgery a few months later. Today, Darlene walks without a walker or cane, drives her car, rides a bike, and shops without needing an electric cart. She hopes to get back to water classes with her friends soon. Reflecting on her journey, Darlene says, “It’s been a long journey, but I have gotten my
independence and my life back.”

“It’s been a long journey, but I have gotten my independence and my life back.”

We’d love to hear your Y story!

Share Your Story

Fitness Challenges Fuel Family’s Transformation

Posted on Updated on by Kate Haslar

In 2023, Jennifer and her husband, Josh, decided it was time to commit to a healthier lifestyle. Josh, who had overcome a liver transplant in 2018, joined Jennifer at the Y to kickstart their fitness journey. In April, they set a challenge: 30 minutes of exercise for 30 days. They both met the goal, though Jennifer admits, “I think Josh might have squeezed in one more day than me.” This friendly competition continued off and on even while facing various health hurdles.

This past June Jennifer challenged Josh to 30 days again, to which he challenged her to get up and work out with him in the morning. Though the first 5 a.m. sessions were tough, now Jennifer is the one saying “Let’s go!”. Josh enjoys biking, weightlifting, and the sauna, while Jennifer has become a runner. Along with their son Parker, they completed their first 5K in November and recently completed the Riverfest 5K, with Jennifer setting her sights on a 10K.

Parker has also found his own niche at the Y, enjoying various classes like cooking and Spanish at the Oconomowoc branch. They appreciate being able to utilize both facilities, especially the pool in the winter.

Between changing their eating habits and consistently working out, Josh has accomplished a tremendous weight loss and Jennifer says she has never felt better. Today, Josh is down more than 130 pounds and still going strong. “We love the Y because it’s something we can enjoy as a family,” Jennifer shares. “The community is everything—the regulars, the morning greetings, and being surrounded by others who love working out keeps me going.” 

“The community is everything—the regulars, the morning greetings, and being surrounded by others who love working out keeps me going.” 

We’d love to hear your Y story!

Share Your Story

Opportunities to Grow: The Dowd’s Story

Posted on Updated on by Kate Haslar

John and his wife Greta, both born and raised in Oconomowoc, are parents to three children: Alan (10), and twins Nolan and Clara (8).  John’s earliest childhood memories of the YMCA were playing sports and going swimming at the old facility on Silver Lake Street.  He says, “I have great memories of my time at the YMCA as a child.  Now as an adult and raising our children in Oconomowoc, it was only natural for us to join the YMCA and participate in the many wonderful programs they offer families!”

Over the last decade, John and Greta have been very involved in their kids’ activities at the Y.  The children began with swimming lessons at an early age, progressed to getting involved in many youth sports, and eventually ventured into rock climbing.  John and Greta share, “Participating in youth sports programs helps our children develop foundational, physical and social skills as well as learn teamwork.  They each have the opportunity to grow as individuals and explore their areas of interest in a caring environment.”  Thanks to the patience and encouragement of the rock climbing staff, they have seen their kids believe they can accomplish a difficult task over time.

The Y has also provided John with opportunities to volunteer as a coach.  Expressing his strong belief in serving others, John shares, “Coaching has been an ideal way to pay it forward to my hometown.”  At every practice and at every game, John strives to develop a strong team that supports one another, listens to each other, and has fun playing the game together.  He has enjoyed seeing the children develop as players and teammates over time.  John reflects on his youth sports days as “Positive experiences and some of my favorite childhood memories.  I hope the same for the children I’ve had the privilege to coach.”

John and Greta appreciate that through the Y, “All children are encouraged to keep trying, support one another, and know they belong in a caring, respectful community.”

“All children are encouraged to keep trying, support one another, and know they belong in a caring, respectful community.”

We’d love to hear your Y story!

Share Your Story

Discovering a Passion: Greg’s Story

Posted on by Kate Haslar

Greg had long contemplated joining a gym to enhance his muscle strength and flexibility. When the Y opened just down the road, he thought this would be a great opportunity to pursue these goals and explore what the Y had to offer. He quickly came to see that it is “a bunch of friendly people working toward their own well-being as well as the community’s health”.

He was immediately drawn to the Qi Gong class, having always wanted to learn about Chinese cooking. Imagine his surprise when the instructor asked everyone to take off their shoes and socks and start waving their arms all over! However, Greg’s mantra is always to “keep an open mind” and by the end of the class, he felt good and decided to keep attending.

Qi Gong soon became Greg’s passion. It not only helped his balance, flexibility, and muscle tone but also unexpectedly sharpened his mental acuity through the challenge of memorizing intricate movements and forms.

He recently decided to share his passion by becoming an instructor. His biggest fear was that he wouldn’t have the bandwidth to complete all the necessary training. He quipped, “Turns out I had the bandwidth, but our internet didn’t, and that made all the e-learning more difficult, but still doable”. In the end, though he says “All the training and learning to become an instructor has been very useful in understanding fitness better”. Knowing the ‘why’ behind the exercises enabled him to master the ‘what’ and ‘how’ more effectively.

The Y has transformed his life in several positive ways. His flexibility and balance have greatly improved, and he’s enjoyed meeting wonderful people, both members and staff. Exploring the diverse equipment and facilities has been exciting for him. His favorite machine, the treadmill, allows him to practice various agility moves such as side steps, skipping, Karate blocks and punches, Nordic skiing technique, slow motion walking, and upper body form movements, all while enjoying a great HIIT workout. He’s discovered that the Y’s base of knowledge and learning is far broader than he ever imagined.

Reflecting on his experience, Greg expressed gratitude for the Y’s role in his life, both as a member and now as an instructor. “It’s been a very good experience physically and mentally.”

“All the training and learning to become an instructor has been very useful in understanding fitness better”

Greg has diverse training in Tae Kwon Do, Nordic skiing instruction, and both flatwater and whitewater canoeing and kayaking. His athletic achievements include participating in seven Birkies (a 55K ski race), finishing seventh in the challenging three-day Classique Internationale de Canots, achieving second place in the Molokai Hoe (a six-man world championship Hawaiian outrigger canoe race), and securing second place in the World Champion Dragon Boat races in Hong Kong. Additionally, he has competed in various triathlons and other competitive events.

We’d love to hear your Y story!

Share Your Story

Investing in Health: The Corporate Membership Program

Posted on by Kate Haslar

June is Employee Wellbeing Month, highlighting the importance of employee health and wellbeing in all areas of life. The Glacial Community YMCA partners with over 20 local businesses in the area through the Corporate Membership Program. This initiative enables employers to invest in their employees’ memberships, with the Y matching their contributions, supporting employee retention, enhancing well-being, and creating workplace wellness opportunities.

In Watertown, one of our YMCA’s valued local partners is Grinwald Ford. John Grinwald, the company’s president, emphasizes the importance of longevity among his staff and is dedicated to supporting both his employees and their families. After John experienced a heart attack in December, his appreciation for the importance of exercising at every stage of life only grew. He is grateful for the YMCA’s role in helping individuals achieve their fitness goals, stating, “Health is the best investment you can make in life!”

John fondly recalls encouraging his son to shoot baskets with him and getting the entire family involved in physical activities at a young age. He believes that when employees are active with their families, it sets a foundation for a lifelong commitment to health and wellness. “It’s about families working out together and staying active and healthy,” John emphasizes.

John’s nephew, Andrew, works alongside him at Grinwald Ford and has seen this in his own life, noting that “involving our kids in the YMCA at a young age has fostered an active, mindful lifestyle which can benefit them their whole lives.” Andrew appreciates the YMCA’s broad range of programs that support working families, saying, “The least we can do is pass along this opportunity for our employees and their families to engage with what our local YMCA offers.”

By investing in their workforce and the YMCA, employers can strengthen families and show their commitment to employee health and wellness. Together, we can build a healthier, happier workforce and a vibrant local economy.

"Health is the best investment you can make in life!"

To learn more about how you or your employer can participate, visit our website. 

Learn More

Blessed by Community: Callie’s Story

Posted on Updated on by Kate Haslar

Callie and her husband moved to Oconomowoc in 2016 and joined the Y, which is just across the street from them. Callie quickly discovered the warmth and friendliness extended by the staff, instructors, and members.

Group classes are her preferred way to stay active and she appreciates the opportunity to mix up her routine throughout the week. Among her favorites are Barre or Tone with Jessica-“she brings so much energy and fun to a class!”. Another favorite is Aqua Boogie, a fun and dynamic aquatic workout. Callie says, “The instructors at the Y are great and offer optional movements depending on your level of ability”.

In a recent nutrition workshop she attended, she learned tips for satisfying yet healthy snacks, like Triscuits paired with cheese sticks, or a serving of yogurt. Since then, these options have become go-to solutions for those mid-day hunger pangs. Additionally, she attended a class on peri-menopause and menopause, not for herself, but to gather insights to share with her daughter and daughter-in-law. She values the knowledgeable staff that has benefitted her and her family.

Callie says she is also “blessed with many friends at the Y who care about each other and our families.” Beyond the Y’s walls, these friendships have grown into special traditions and gatherings. There’s the monthly exchange of funny birthday cards with her “pool” friends. Small groups of her “land” friends get together for lunch every few months, just to catch up. Another friend loves to host, so a group gets together at Christmastime in her home. A couple of friends have pontoon boats and they go out on the lake with snacks to share.

In this Y community, she’s found not only ways to keep her body moving but also people who encourage and support her. Callie says “Because of the Y I feel good about myself physically, mentally, and emotionally”.

Callie (in white) with friends from a class

“Because of the Y I feel good about myself physically, mentally, and emotionally”

We’d love to hear your Y story!

Share Your Story