Lessons for Life: The YMCA’s Guiding Hand

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.