From Y Kids to Y Leaders
At the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, we believe in nurturing potential, building community, and inspiring service. For many, the Y is more than a place to swim, play, or learn; it’s where lifelong journeys begin. Some of our staff members first walked through our doors as children, and today they dedicate their careers to giving back to the same organization that shaped them.
Meet three incredible individuals — Elaina, Dave, and Natalie — whose stories remind us that the Y is not just a stop along the way, but a home for growth, leadership, and purpose.
Elaina: From Camper to Operations Director
Elaina’s Y story began in Detroit, where she first joined swim lessons before attending overnight camp at just eight years old. Summers at camp became a tradition and, as a teen, she dove into leadership programs and wilderness adventures that taught resilience and teamwork.
By age 16, Elaina had joined the Y as a Junior Camp Counselor. Over the years, she held nearly every role imaginable: Senior Camp Counselor, High Ropes Specialist, Lifeguard, Swim Instructor, Teen Program Coordinator, Outdoor Educator, and more. Each position deepened her connection to the Y’s mission and strengthened her skills as a leader.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Elaina’s work shifted to supporting emergency food distribution and remote learning sites for youth in Metro Detroit — living proof of the Y’s commitment to meeting community needs in times of crisis. Later, she brought her expertise to Camp Manito-wish YMCA in Wisconsin, managing wilderness expedition programs across North America that challenged teens to discover their strength in the most remote settings imaginable. She then joined the YMCA of Metro Chicago in the role of Compliance Manager.
Today, Elaina serves as Operations Director of Youth Development at the YMCA of Metro Chicago. For her, the Y has always been about belonging, mentorship, and purpose.
“The Y meets people where they are and challenges them to be the best version of themselves,” she reflects. “Community has the ability to bridge divides and make our world a better place, and the work that the Y does in service of that mission is what drives me every day.”
Dave: Lifeguarding with Purpose
For Dave, the Y was where his love of swimming grew into a lifelong commitment to safety and service. As a high school student, he practiced at his local YMCA and became a Water Safety Instructor. That passion carried into his role as a merit badge counselor for Boy Scouts, where he taught swimming and lifesaving skills.
When new certification requirements were introduced in 2019 for Boy Scouts, Dave turned to a YMCA of Metro Chicago Community Hub for lifeguard training. With the support of an Aquatics Director, he became certified and has now served as a lifeguard at that Community Hub for six years.
Dave’s journey is a reminder that the Y equips people not only with skills, but with opportunities to share those skills in service to others. His work ensures that families can enjoy the water safely, and his dedication reflects the Y’s goal of strengthening communities through care and responsibility.
Natalie: From Camper to Marketing Leader
Natalie’s Y story began in Chicago, where she participated in YMCA of Metro Chicago Before and After School Care at her middle school and Summer Camp at the Lake View YMCA. Those experiences gave her a sense of community and sparked her interest in the programs that shaped her youth.
Today, Natalie manages marketing for the Y’s learning portfolio at our corporate headquarters. She oversees messaging for programs that range from Early Learning and School-Age Care to Teen Programming, Overnight and Family Camps, and Community Services like workforce development and digital equity.
For Natalie, her full-circle journey is deeply meaningful: she now promotes the very programs that nurtured her own growth, and her work ensures that more families and community partners discover the opportunities that she once experienced firsthand.
Full Circle: The Y’s Lasting Impact
Elaina, Dave, and Natalie each remind us that the Y is a community that inspires lifelong service. From swim lessons and summer camp to leadership roles and professional careers, their journeys show how the Y nurtures potential and empowers individuals to give back.
At the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, we are proud to see former participants become leaders, mentors, and advocates. Their stories prove that when you grow up at the Y, you carry its mission with you into your work, your community, and your future.
Interested in a similar career trajectory? There are so many great roles at the Y, and one is waiting just for you! Whatever your skill set, whatever your expertise, we welcome all talents from all members of our community. Search our current openings here!