Finding Safety, Stability, and Strength
Dear RoomSponsor,
Firstly, we would like to say a heartfelt thank you for your kindness and generosity throughout the year. Your continued support as a RoomSponsor truly impacts the lives of young people.
Every young person who comes through our doors at YMCA carries a story that deserves to be heard. Today, I want to share River’s journey, a young person currently living in our supported housing.
River grew up in a difficult and unsafe home environment after being adopted at eight years old. They experienced strict control, fear, and instability, which took a toll on their mental health. Eventually, social services became involved, and River was told they could not return home. After moving between temporary places, they were referred to us at YMCA.
When River arrived, it was the first time they had ever had their own space which is somewhere safe, calm, and stable. Learning independence was challenging at first, but River embraced it. They’ve worked hard on their mental health, learned essential life skills, and even rediscovered their creativity through our art sessions.
Today, River is proud of how far they’ve come. They’re continuing with college, building trust again, and have set their sights on becoming a police officer in the future.
River said, “I really want my story to be shared, to show people how supporting YMCA can make a huge difference to young people like me.“
Thanks to RoomSponsors like you, young people like River are finding stability and the chance to thrive.
Wishing you a peaceful and joyful Christmas, from all of us here at YMCA.
Well done River. I am very proud to support. With best wishes for 2026 and beyond
So pleased to hear River’s story, it makes my small contribution even more worthwhile. With every blessing to River and all at YMCA
Thank you River for sharing your story. I hope you have a lovely Christmas and I wish you very best wishes for today and your future.
Happy Christmas xxx
Well done, River. Keep thinking positive and so many things become possible.
Enjoy Christmas and I hope the New Year will bring new opportunities.
Thanks for sharing your story River. Just keep on going . You WILL win😉
Thank you River for sharing your story. I hope that YMCA can be a turning point for you.
You and your companions are important to all the room sponsors we all hope that by helping now we can change to direction of your lives.
Remember it is who you are and where you are going which is important. I hope you build resilience to cope with ups and downs of life.
Best wishes
Dorothy
What an amazing young person you have become. I hope you can realise your dream and become a police officer. Happy Christmas!
It was so good to hear your story, River. How you’ve been able to turn your life around and now have a positive future. Wising you a very Happy Christmas xxx
I’m really grateful to River for sharing your story and your positive experience with the YMCA, it makes me feel that our contributions are helping young people directly especially at this time of year. I wish River and all at the YMCA a truly special Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
Flow, River, flow! Well done. May you find the channels for peace becoming ever more unobstructed within you, free to flow out from you into your future world.
Thank you for telling us your story, River. Hearing stories like yours is why we support YMCA; we want to help young people who have had a bad start to, over time and with help, get their lives onto a good footing; as close as possible to the place it should have been without the difficulties you faced. Well done and keep going; you’re doing really well.
Hi River
It’s so good to read that life is now on the up for you after a difficult start.
It sounds like you are really making the most of the opportunities afforded to you through the YMCA which is great to know.
Good luck with your future goals.
Take care and have a great Christmas xx
It was a privilege to read your story, River – thank you. You have come so far and it sounds as though you will definitely continue to go far too! Well done and God bless you (and your support workers). Enjoy your artwork and have a wonderful, hopeful and Happy Christmas. Wishing you the very, very best for all that is to come. ❤️
So very encouraging to read your story River. Thank you. We wish you a very Happy Christmas and hope the New Year brings more positive experiences to help you forward to your planned career.
Good luck to you for the future River! Here’s to a good new chapter in life! Merry Christmas!
Thank you for sharing your story River. You sound like a very courageous person. I’m glad that you’ve found a safe space at the YMCA. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a positive future, Helen
Thank you River for sharing. You should be extremely proud of yourself. Your resilience has paid off and I have no doubt you are going to be very successful in life. When you have down days think of everything you’ve overcome. Wishing you the very best. Merry Christmas, Much love Jacqui x
River your story is important. I’m glad you’re benefiting from YMCA. That’s why I support the charity.
Thanks for sharing, River. Have a really good Christmas and the best of luck for the future.
Congratulations River. You clearly have it in you to make a happy and successful life for yourself and I wish you every success, and a happy Christmas
Message to River “ Reading about your life, I found your approach and attitude very inspiring” I am certain you can do well in life after a difficult start. As one of my oldest friends used to say “Hitch your Wagon to a Star”. Good luck and a big happy new year. Kind regards Steve
I’m glad that River has benefited so much from the help and experience given by the team at YMCA. I wish her and all the overs that have, are and will be helped by these amazing people.
River ( and Rebecca ) its good to be reminded of the good work the YMCA do…and generally how fortunate some of us have been with family and relationships.
The issue of homeliness and hardship , especially for the young is important to me, so well done River for getting to where you are…and your ambition is amazing…taking your experiences into the Police force will make you a great addition.
Happy Christmas…
Well done River, what an inspiring young person you have become. Believe in yourself and I know you will achieve your dreams. It’s a privilege to know that i am able in a small way to give hope for to people in unfortunate circumstances. Keep smiling
Well done River, for being so positive. It makes me feel hopeful for the next generation.
Hoping you have a Happy Christmas and a Happy and healthy New Year. xo
Amazing to hear your great experience with the YMCA despite your difficult beginnings. You are a light of hope I think to those you come into contact with and I wish you every blessing for the future.
Writing your story is so very important for your well being as well as teaching room sponsors how important it is to support young people like yourself. Keep focusing on the present and the future and you can determine your own positive outcome; you are so very brave and strong.