Y Stories

I am a native of El Salvador who came to the United States to escape the terrible living conditions there in the early 1990’s. When I arrived in Boston, my professional skills were lacking and I had little confidence in myself. YMCA Training, Inc. was the blessing I needed! The staff there helped me to acquire marketable skills and certainly gave me a big confidence boost. Today I am employed by the El Salvadoran Consulate, processing immigration papers so that others can come to America. 

"I learned that finding a job is a job on its own and Training, Inc. is the best place to do that. The teachers not only trained me to gain technical knowledge but also helped me to build confidence in all I had learned. I did not have any working experience in the U.S.A but Training, Inc. prepared me to introduce myself with dignity into the job market."

"My experience with Training, Inc. was life changing, empowering, and encouraging. Coming aboard at Training, Inc. equipped me with the tools, skills, and knowledge that I needed to boost my belief in myself."

"The people at Training, Inc. were so understanding and compassionate. They were great teachers who taught me so much in such a short time and helped me to get ready for the real world."

The Y had made a very positive impact on my life by letting me into the [Training, Inc.] program. I did not know which direction I was headed in. I was a single mother of 2 kids. I started YMCA Training, Inc in the 2001 cycle 50. The staff that was there were so helpful and positive. I've been off welfare since 2000 [since the program], I have worked at several places, now I am working part time at The Prevention Center Partnership with Boston University Public Health, Boston Medical center, Boston Public Health Commission and Boston Housing Authority.

My newborn baby and I were living in a shelter and I was scared, frustrated, and understandably nervous about our future. The skills and confidence I gained at Training, Inc. allowed me to persevere and succeed in my internship – which led directly to full-time employment at METCO. I am proud to consider myself part of the Training, Inc. family, and I am inspired to know that there will be countless other women and men benefitting from this program in the future.

I found out I was having a baby shortly after moving to Boston. With few marketable skills and no job prospects, I was forced to go on Government assistance. I didn’t want to take handouts from anyone, but I did it for my son. I knew I needed to acquire skills so that I could land a job and provide for my little family. YMCA Training, Inc. not only helped me pursue my goal of working in the medical field, but it also inspired me to be the person I’ve always dreamed of being. Today I am a role model for my son and am currently employed at Children’s Hospital Boston.

Before Training, Inc., I always dreamed of working full-time in an environment in which I could learn and grow.  I wanted to be part of an organization that valued me as an employee.  However, I thought that I did not have the skills needed to enter a competitive job market. What I now understand is that I had the necessary skills to work in a business environment; I just needed Training Inc. to bring those skills within me to life.