Community Connections: Christin’s Story

By: Lisa Fascilla, member of the YMCA of Long Island’s DIG Cabinet

The Long Island YMCA Association is changing lives in the communities we serve. In being recognized as a DIG Innovation YMCA, we strive to recognize and meet the needs of our populations in a diverse and inclusive manner.

One example of this is our Community Connections Pilot Program. We were often asked if we had any programs for young adults with special needs. We did not, and it made us re-examine our “something for everyone” philosophy. We donned our cultural lenses to take a better look at this gap in programming and started having conversations with families, educators and leaders in the special needs field to better understand how we could meet this growing request.

Our community was craving a safe, inclusive environment for young adults with diverse abilities to meet and socialize. We successfully developed a program to address that need when we piloted our Community Connections program.

The program offered participants (ages 18-30) a selection of art, music, dance and exercise so they could come together based on common interests that would inspire organic interactions. A social room was available throughout the evening for conversation, laughter, games and HEPA-friendly refreshments. We had approximately 30 participants each evening. Some were high functioning and attended alone; others were supported by staff or family members. We collaborated with the Positive Behavior Support Community Foundation, whose mission is to provide opportunities for enhanced quality of life and community inclusion for those who have transitioned out of the school support system. This collaboration offered some financial support, but more importantly, helped to train and educate our Y staff and volunteers.

There was such an overwhelming sense of pride and fulfillment in what was achieved, and it was felt not only by Christin, but by us Y folks as well. 

Participants, staff and volunteers shared many laughs, friendships were made and even one romantic relationship developed. One participant, Christin, is a lovely young woman with a quiet, reserved demeanor. She is visually impaired and has slight mental challenges. On her first evening, Christin spent most of her time in the music room. A professional percussionist volunteered his time and brought a bevy of bongos, maracas, tambourines, etc. Christin visited the other activity rooms briefly, but always gravitated toward the music. The second evening, Christin arrived with anticipation and humbly asked if she could bring in her guitar. Gladly, we welcomed the opportunity. Again, she spent her evening in the music room, but this time she played and sang, and the room played and sang with her. Her playlist was simple, ranging from familiar songs like “You Are My Sunshine” to the Beatles “Let it Be”. Everyone was entertained and contributed to the impromptu concert.

Upon her departure that evening, we thanked her for the very special treat. With tears in her eyes, she thanked us for providing her with the opportunity to play in front of people, something she had never done before. She felt safe to try it this evening in the environment that was created for her. On the third night, when Christin arrived, we asked if she had brought along her guitar again and this time she responded “I was hoping someone would ask”. She played some music she had composed herself and prefaced each song with her inspirations. We had our own little “Behind the Music” show if you will. There was such an overwhelming sense of pride and fulfillment in what was achieved, and it was felt not only by Christin, but by us Y folks as well.

This is Christin’s Y story, but this is also our Y story. Our actions inspired a positive difference that continues to have a residual effect and we hope to be able to do so much more together.