At the YMCA of the Foothills, opportunity starts with an open door.

For families across Tujunga, Sunland, and Sun Valley, that door often means one thing: a safe, welcoming place for their children to learn, play, and grow.

“The impact that I’ve seen in the community and the need is for childcare during winter, fall, and spring care,” says Janette, the Y’s Youth Programs Director. “Parents are always looking for some place to put their children because they don’t have care during that time.”

She’s seen firsthand how vital that support can be. 

“We live in a society where everything costs a lot of money, and especially childcare is up high right now,” Janette explains. “With Ballmer Group, we give parents that relief and stress while they can go to work and have their kids at our camps. They know that they’re in a safe place, having fun, and I think the Y provides that.”

One parent remembers the change she saw in her son after his first camp experience. “He absolutely loved it the first year,” she said. “I feel like it really grew his independence a lot, which was something we were struggling with. The second year, he came back so excited. The counselors and the community really helped him open up and bloom into that.”

When financial hardship hit, help came at just the right time. 

“This past year, I was struggling a little bit financially,” she explained. “When I found out that you guys were offering a program for the Fire Relief Grant, I signed up immediately. I was hoping I could get at least a couple of weeks in, and they ended up covering the whole thing. It was amazing, and it really, really helped.”

Thanks to Ballmer Group’s support, the YMCA of the Foothills has been able to serve more than 100 additional low-income youth this year. The impact stretches far beyond camps into programs that build inclusion, confidence, and leadership.

Adaptive Play, born out of the Y’s Adaptive Swim program, now includes basketball and other land-based activities for children with physical and developmental needs. This ensures that every child has the chance to participate and belong. Through Youth & Government scholarships, more teens are discovering their voice, learning how to lead, and connecting with peers across California.

When doors open for one child, one family, and one opportunity at a time, entire communities grow stronger.

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