Now More Than Ever: The Tom A. Finch Community YMCA is all about teamwork
The Tom A. Finch Community YMCA’s mission statement is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 says: “9) Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor; 10) If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”
The Tom A. Finch Community YMCA is all about teamwork. We have a 5-star childcare program that consists of Summer Day Camp during the summer and Before and After School Care during the school year. Over the years, thousands of kids have come through these programs. Not all are able to afford the fees that go along with it, and that’s where United Way steps in to help out. Thanks to the generous donations from United Way of Davidson County, parents who struggle financially are able to register their children for our childcare programs.
One parent comments, “[Her son] is more interactive with other children, he is more outspoken, and more outgoing.” Our trained staff members help children break out of their comfort zone while giving peace of mind to parents that their children are in a safe and nurturing place after school.
The Tom A. Finch Community YMCA is also a place where adults can meet and exceed their goals to a healthy lifestyle. One of our members, Wanda has inspired all of us with her story of change. Wanda’s health declined from 2013 to 2018 after she was mostly homebound due to being diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis in both of her knees. In 2018, she weighed in with her doctor at 468lbs. and was informed that she had high blood pressure and onset diabetes. After watching her mother care for her sick husband, who was a large man, Wanda knew that she had to make some changes as she did not want to put anyone in that position of caring for her.
In March of 2019, Wanda started treatment to have Bariatric surgery. After closely following the Bariatric nutritionist’s advice, Wanda made changes in her eating habits and started moving more. In July of 2020, after losing 171 lbs., Wanda had a successful gastric bypass surgery without any side effects.
Recovering from surgery wasn’t easy due to her knee pain, but Wanda joined the YMCA and began Aquatic Therapy. She now works out four days a week participating in senior cardio classes, water aerobics, and strength training in the Wellness Center. Wanda says she feels blessed to be a part of the YMCA family. She has moved past “I can’t.” and has found she was stronger than she thought. To quote Wanda, “I want to be an inspiration to others! My cup runneth over!”
The Tom A. Finch Community YMCA takes care of more than only its members, but the community as well. For almost 50 years, the Tom A. Finch Community YMCA has served the community at large. We work hard to ensure that no one is turned away due to their inability to pay through our Financial Assistance program which has helped hundreds of families be able to become members.
We also extend our efforts beyond the walls of our facility. In December of 2020, we held a Community Outreach event where we handed out 150 dinners, desserts, and stockings filled with donated toiletries to those in need. While our facility was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we reached out to our senior members for wellness checks, continued to deliver Meals on Wheels, helped out at Cooperative Community Ministries in Thomasville, and met once a month in downtown Thomasville to pick up trash. We continue these efforts today along with collecting pop tabs for Ronald McDonald House and hosting Blood Drives with the Red Cross.
In any and every way, the Tom A. Finch Community YMCA is here for our community and you!
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