“The Y gave my children stability when we needed it most.”
For Maricarmen, a single mother of twins, the South Shore YMCA has been more than just a place for childcare—it’s been a lifeline. She enrolled her children at the State Street Early Learning Center in Quincy in Fall 2024, and they immediately began to thrive. “The connection they have with their teachers and peers is beautiful,” she said. “Coming from a Spanish-speaking background, their language skills have blossomed. They understand when to use Spanish and English, and they’re proud of both.”
Then in January 2025, Maricarmen was unexpectedly laid off from her job. She was heartbroken at the thought of disrupting the care and community her children had come to rely on. But with financial assistance from the South Shore YMCA Annual Fund, her twins were able to remain enrolled while she focused on finding new employment. “I want other parents to know—it’s okay to ask for help,” Maricarmen shared. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Life happens, and the Y was there for us when we needed it most.”
At the Y, support goes beyond programs—it means standing by families during life’s hardest moments, offering stability, kindness, and hope when it’s needed most.
