Jackie Alexander’s first experience at the YMCA was in Louisville, Kentucky, where she learned to swim as a child and participated in Black Achievers in middle and high school. After a few years in Northern Kentucky, Jackie and her family relocated to Lexington, where they joined the YMCA of Central Kentucky. Jackie found a place to move and exercise, and got involved as a member of the C.M. Gatton Beaumont YMCA advisory board. This has led her to many volunteer opportunities, and she has faithfully shown up for events, modeled for member photo shoots, distributed backpacks, and more. In a true full circle moment, she has volunteered with Black Achievers during the students’ portfolio process, conducting mock and formal interviews for graduating seniors.
“To know that 25 years ago, I was sitting on the other side of that table as a student preparing to go to college and just trying to figure everything out, and being able to now be on the other side of that to help students and be a little part of their story…means a lot because someone cared enough about me to do that. Now that I get to give back and care enough about other students, that’s really important.”
Jackie finds community and belonging at the Y for all ages: her nine year-old daughter has Y buddies and is learning to safely exercise and be healthy, just like her mom. She shares, “The YMCA has meant belonging. I belonged as a kid when I was learning how to swim. I belonged as a Black Achiever participating. I belong now as a member, a board member, and a volunteer. It’s a very community-centered place in so many different ways.”
Thank you to Jackie for being such a joyful and generous presence in our Y community, and for giving back in so many ways.
