Learning and Growing in Youth Development: Alyssa’s Story

At the YMCA, everyone calls Alyssa by her camp name, “Flower”. After graduating from Arrowhead High School, Alyssa went out of state for college, earning her B.A. in Psychology with minors in English and Leadership Studies. Thinking she needed an advanced degree to work with children, she took a corporate recruiting job that turned out to not be a good fit. So she quit the job, moved back to Wisconsin, and began applying for jobs where she could learn and grow with children.

When a former coworker posted that the YMCA was hiring, she applied and was hired as seasonal staff. She immediately fell in love with the work and by the end of the summer, she was hired as a full-time School Year Lead at a school. Now, just a year later, she is training and thriving as a summer camp supervisor.

Reflecting on the impact of her job, she often thinks of the phrase “raising a child takes a village.” She says “I love being a part of that village; It’s a team of people coming together to make someone’s life great.” Alyssa enjoys creating memorable learning experiences for the kids. One of her favorite memories was during a science experiment, where a baking soda volcano in a bottle with a balloon exploded, covering her in vinegar. She and the students laughed for hours afterward and at that moment Alyssa felt that she “showed them it’s okay to laugh at yourself and your failures”.

Her colleagues have pushed her to grow in unexpected ways. She’s learned to give more grace and see the value and impact of each individual. She feels grateful to be part of a diverse team that challenges her to think critically and values her contributions. “I studied servant leadership in school, and I love that my team practices it here,” she says.

Alyssa tells people that the YMCA is a great place to work where people from various backgrounds come together with a shared heart for service. She looks forward to continuing to learn and grow at the YMCA.