YMCA of Middle TN

Lives Changed Archive

A Melody From the Heart

Kim Sowell (2nd from left) was born with congenital heart disease. A few years ago during an annual checkup, her cardiologist recommended that she become more fit if she wanted her “heart to last” as her body matured. The news served as a catalyst, inspiring the entire Sowell family from a sedentary lifestyle to one focused on wellness, and leading them to the Putnam County Family YMCA in Cookeville. “Now, my wife is really healthy,” explains Barry (left), Kim’s husband. Their daughters, Maria, 4 (here), and Morgan, 2 (here), love the Y’s nursery. Ten-year-old Shane (front right) enjoys the activities for older kids. “We’re at the Y almost every day,” says Barry, who recently completed a 200-mile bike ride in 11 hours “thanks to the Y.” The Sowells are among 51,631 people (34% of our members) for whom the Open Doors program makes a Y membership possible. “We love the Y,” Kim says. “We love the Christian environment, and we love the staff. The Y has changed our lives.”



Playing To A New Tune

Marquise Rice (2nd from right) and Heather Coleman (back, center) are two of many teens thriving thanks to our YMCA’s Positive Beginnings program. Because of unruly behavior at home and school, Marquise was placed in the program’s three-week Life Skills “Boot Camp” against his will. Initially, he tried to run away, but he came to realize that staff members such as program director Henry Smith (back, center) cared about his well being. Today, Marquise is a different young man, actively involved in church and school sports. Heather was not excited about entering the program either, but during the girls’ Life Skills camp she recognized areas in her attitude and behavior that needed to change. Since then, Heather’s relationship with her parents has improved, and she’s proud of the new direction her life is taking.

Jeong Hong (right), a senior at Merrol Hyde Magnet School, has participated in our YMCA Youth in Government program since his freshman year and has twice been awarded the Model United Nations “Outstanding Research Award.” Youth in Government has been an integral part of his academic and extracurricular experience.

 

Oasis In the Desert
"A friend is someone who reaches out for your hand ... and touches your heart." (Kathleen Grove)

	Ruth Huff, Thad and Deena Farmer

Wednesday is a good day for Thad Huff. He rises early and, along with his mother, Ruth, heads for the Robertson County Family YMCA. Thad will spend all day at the Y, walking, playing basketball, swimming and hanging out with the staff and volunteers who have become his close friends -- friends like Deena Farmer. Ruth considers the Y an "oasis in the desert" for her and for her special-needs son. A widow on a fixed income, Ruth appreciates the Y's Open Doors program for keeping her "active and healthy at 81" and her son in the best condition of his life. Through regular workouts, Thad has lost more than 50 pounds. "It's the people," Ruth says, beaming at her son, "who make the YMCA such a blessing to so many."

A Life Transformed
"Therefore strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble." (Hebrews 12:11-13)

	Angela McLaren and Melvin Shockley

Melvin Shockley has a heart for God, and he believes people are put on earth to worship the Lord. But at age 40, Melvin found that his obesity made it difficult to do anything -- even praise his Savior. "I knew that the one thing holding me back from a better relationship with Christ was my weight," he recalls. So Melvin took action. He began riding the bus to the Green Hills Family YMCA five to seven days a week.

With the guidance and encouragement of Angela McLaren, a personal trainer at the Y, Melvin began making healthier choices ... and shedding inches. He has lost more than 300 pounds! Not only that, but Melvin now works with Restore Ministries, a life-changing YMCA program that helps men and women to overcome life-controlling addictions. Melvin thanks the Lord for the miraculous changes in his life, and he credits the Y with keeping him on a path to greater health and well being.

Back