
Each year, Y staff and volunteers encourage members to share their personal stories, from the back stories that brought them to the Y to the successes and challenges encountered on the road to healthy living. Interviews are conducted in the Y's lobby in the fall, within a story "booth" made from a large gym mat. When I was approached by the staff at the Y about participating in their Rye Y Story project I was intrigued. I thought it was something like
StoryCorps, so I agreed to do it. Once I started, I quickly realized that this was very much a marketing opportunity, where people could share their personalized testimonials. This was a bit awkward, since my experience there is very mixed. There are plenty of very friendly people, and plenty who are not friendly, and
many who are very inconsiderate. I made the most of the situation I and enjoyed reading about other people's stories. Overall I thought it was a very positive experience and one of the many things the Y does to build and strengthen the community.
See
My Rye Y Story below: