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Category: Monroe

Recovery Starts with Belonging: Perry’s Y Story

Posted on by Kathleen Webber

When Perry walked through the doors of the Monroe Y three years ago, he was determined to keep moving, keep healing, and stay connected to the community around him. Degenerative osteoarthritis was changing how he moved, but not who he was. What he found at the Y was exactly what he needed, a place designed to meet people where they are and support their health, well-being, and sense of belonging. 

For two years before his full right-hip replacement, Perry committed himself to “pre-habbing.” He used the Y’s treadmills, stretching equipment, resistance machines, sauna, and pool to build strength, flexibility, and confidence. “I wanted to be ready,” he says. 

His preparation paid off. As soon as he could move after surgery, Perry shuffled his walker back into the Y, stepped onto the treadmill, and began the long process of rebuilding. 

At ten weeks post-surgery, he was completing exercises he expected would take three months or more. “I’m a month and a half early because of the facilities at the Y,” he says. “This has been the perfect place to prepare and recover.” 

Perry’s routine is disciplined and intentional: warm-up, cardio, progressive strength work, stretching, range of motion, and time in the sauna or hot tub. The Y’s equipment offers exactly what he needs—safe, scalable tools that honor his limits while helping him grow stronger. 

But for Perry, the Y has been more than equipment. It’s the people. Staff who remember his name, ask about his recovery, and make space for him—literally—by finding him a small corner of the pool when every lane is full. “They care,” he said. “They listen. It’s shocking sometimes, in a good way.” 

It’s a culture where effort matters more than the weight on the machine. “Here, I can do 30-pound leg curls without anyone judging,” he says. “Everyone is working in their own zone.” 

Today, Perry is back to swimming, walking miles on the treadmill, and rebuilding the strength he needs to keep doing the things he loves.  And he’s quick to encourage others preparing for surgery or recovering: “Join the Y. Be intentional. There’s a level here for anybody.” 

“The Y has been the perfect set of tools. Scalable tools for me to prepare and recover from surgery. And it’s a warm and welcoming, fun place to be.” 

Perry’s story reflects what the YMCA of Snohomish County strives to offer every day. A community of tools, people, and purpose that helps individuals stay strong, connected, and hopeful. It’s the power of belonging made visible, one member at a time.

Cheri’s Belonging Story

Posted on by Abbey McGee

Hello, my name is Cheri Larsen and I have been a board member at the Monroe/Sky Valley Family YMCA since March 2021. I have lived in Snohomish County my entire life, so you can imagine how special this community is to me.

The YMCA’s mission and values mirror my own: to inspire (I even have a tattoo on my arm to show), to nurture and strengthen vibrant communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The YMCA core values are honesty, respect, caring and responsibility. In my personal life, I strive to have compassion and empathy for all. I love to celebrate diversity and create a sense of belonging. I also have a passion for building a healthy community through teamwork and partnerships. If you know me, then you know that I am very passionate about the YMCA. These amazing qualities of the YMCA are just the tip of the iceberg regarding what the YMCA has to offer.

In 2020, I came to the Monroe YMCA so I could start exercising and get healthy. At that time in my life as a single mom, I could not afford a gym membership. The Monroe Y offered me a subsidized membership with a monthly fee that I could afford. I met Tania Price at a YMCA fundraiser before I visited the Y, but it was at this point in time our friendship seed was planted. It wasn’t long before Monroe Y became my Y. Since then, my son, Jared started working at the Y as a lifeguard and then also became a swim instructor. My daughter, Sierra, was recently hired as a swim instructor also. And my 5-year-old cousin, Bella, who moved in with me last summer, attends the amazing YMCA School-Age Care program. For me, the term YMCA family is a very true statement for me in all aspects.

If I didn’t have that financial assistance to begin with, who knows where my family and I would be today. The term pay it forward comes to my mind. When someone does something for you, instead of paying that person back directly, you pass it on to another person. One good deed deserves another.

Funds raised through the Y’s Community Campaign help to ensure no one is denied access due to an inability to pay. A strong community benefits individuals, the community itself, and the greater society. People of all ages who feel a sense of belonging tend to lead happier and healthier lives. Helping to make your community better not only improves the way your community looks, but it improves the way that community feels to visitors and how the residents feel about their community as well.

This is my Y story!

Monroe Family YMCA Welcomes New Executive Director

Posted on Updated on by Kiana Yerxa

MONROE, WA. December 5, 2023 – The Monroe/Sky Valley Family YMCA is excited to announce its new Executive Director, Anthony Schmidt. Schmidt brings nearly 15 years of YMCA experience to Monroe, with extensive work in membership and programs. He has spent all of his Y career at the Marysville Family YMCA, with a brief stint as interim executive director in Monroe in 2021, most recently serving as Senior Program Director.

“I grew up in Maltby and I’m a product of the Monroe School District, so I’m thrilled to work at a YMCA in the community where I was born and raised, said Schmidt. “I am ready for the next stage in my career and it’s really something special to be able to come back to a place I grew up.”

Schmidt plans to continue building on the post-pandemic growth and success of the Monroe Y. One of his goals is to use his program expertise to expand youth programming, specifically teen programs and youth sports.

“Monroe has a very solid staff team and I’m looking forward to collaborating with them to take our branch to the next level,” said Schmidt. “Any place of business is only as good as its staff and we have a top-notch staff in all areas, from child care to aquatics, membership to youth sports and everything in between. We can’t do the work without them.”

Schmidt’s first Y experience was as a middle school student at the Northshore YMCA in Bothell, WA. His dad came home with a membership and he didn’t think it would be a good fit, but he found himself spending most weekends there playing basketball and participating in teen activities.

“The Y was a cool place to hang out and I experienced a lot of positive growth there as a teenager,” said Schmidt. “It’s that first experience at the Y that drives my passion for developing strong, impactful youth programs.”

As a young adult, he continued his Y journey at the Marysville YMCA. After getting married and moving to the area, he started as a member, but it wasn’t long after before he joined the staff. He was working in a retail managerial role and rarely got to see his wife and young children because of his schedule.

“I reached a point in my retail career when I knew I needed better work-life balance,” said Schmidt. “The Y was a perfect fit because it allowed me to be active in my kids’ lives, as well as within my community.”

Schmidt’s children are now 21 and 18. His daughter graduates from college in a few weeks and his son is in the fire academy. He may not be actively coaching their teams, but he brings the same energy and commitment to his new role and looks forward to sharing the Y with the Monroe community.

“The Y has something for everyone – from newborns to seniors, he said. “Come on in and check it out. As a teen, I thought it wasn’t a place for me, but I was wrong. I bet I can convince you that it’s an amazing place for you too!”