Share Your Y Story

A NOTE FROM Y MEMBER ALEX FOX: My wife Birgit is a travel nurse and accepted an assignment at Southern Medical Center in downtown Nashua from late October 2022 through late January 2023. I traveled with her for this contract and we stayed at the Residence Inn at Trafalgar Square. I was able to work… Read more »

MEET BEN KAAS A highlight of 40-year-old Ben Kaas’ week is his tennis lessons at the Merrimack YMCA with instructor Dick Lane. Ben’s goal is to end the lesson with his ‘happy dance,’ which means he has hit six tennis balls in a row. Ben’s sister, Liz Kaas, is Director of Health and Wellness for… Read more »

MEET KARA HAMILTON Kara Hamilton has been teaching at the Y for 15 years. She started in the School’s Out (YMCA afterschool program) in 2004 when she was a senior at Nashua High School. “The Y has been part of my life since age four. A lot of my core memories are of the Y… Read more »

MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTOR: DAN CASEY When YMCA Martial Arts Instructor Dan Casey asks parents why they are interested in enrolling their child in his martial arts classes, 90% of the time it comes down to some version of instilling confidence or discipline in their child and 10% of parents want a physical activity and exercise… Read more »

THE MONTMINY’S  Andre and Denise Montminy’s love story started at the Y. They met in 1980 when Andre was a martial arts instructor when the Nashua Y was located on Prospect Street. “He would say we met at the Y when I was one of his students. He really enjoyed teaching at the Y. He had a core following…. Read more »

MEET AL SCHLENKER “If the rest of the world could be like the Y, it would be very different. If you had any prejudices, this is the place you could get rid of them. Being here is wonderful,” said new Y member Al Schlenker. “From the front desk staff to the upstairs staff (wellness center),… Read more »

EVERY PERSON HAS THEIR OWN Y STORY We recently asked staff to share their “Why the Y” story and here’s what seven people shared with us! If you too, want to share your Y Story you can do so, quickly, by visiting Share Your Y Story and submit the simple form.   The Y is… Read more »

FINDING COMFORT IN THE Y’S WELCOMING COMMUNITY Before YMCA member Deb Lagasse brought her son Tyler to the YMCA, it was important to her to be sure this space was “emotionally and psychologically safe” for him.  “I joined the Y and scoped it out,” she said. Tyler is a friendly, intelligent young man with autism… Read more »