Creating Access, Changing Lives: How YMCA Summer Camp Reached More Families This Year

As a nonprofit organization, the YMCA is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of income, has access to safe, enriching programs like summer camp. Thanks to a generous $65,600 grant from the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, approximately 40 families who otherwise could not afford summer camp were able to send their children to camp at the New Tampa Family YMCA or YMCA Camp Cristina. 

Shelby Sousa, a member of our YES Call Center staff, played a pivotal role in bringing this opportunity to families. She personally called back parents who had previously declined a camp spot due to financial hardship and informed them that they now qualified for a significantly reduced rate. 

For many, it was life-changing news. One parent shared that they had no choice but to consider leaving their 8-year-old home alone for the summer, an option that brought them significant stress. With this funding, their child was able to experience a safe, structured and fun-filled summer at the Y. Another family in South Tampa was able to send their child to YMCA Camp Cristina via our bus transportation. For these families and so many others, camp was more than just a safe place to play; it was a trusted space where their children could grow, explore and make lasting memories. 

Ali Hollenbeck, our Director of Grants and Proposals at the Tampa YMCA, shares, “As someone who worked closely on this grant and is a working mom of two young boys, I’ve seen firsthand just how critical safe, reliable childcare is, especially during the summer months.” 

She adds, “It means everything to know that this funding helped families breathe a little easier and gave kids the chance just to be kids, exploring, playing and learning in a safe, supportive environment.”

To better understand the impact, Ali and her team surveyed participating families in the grant program. Of those who responded through week 8 of summer camp, 100% agreed that our YMCA camp is a safe and caring place for their child to learn and have fun, and 100% said they would recommend the program to others. Remarkably, 82% of these children had never attended a summer camp before, and 90% had never attended a YMCA camp.

The grant funding didn’t just fill spots at camp; it filled hearts, eased burdens and brought our mission to life in meaningful ways for dozens of local families. We are grateful to the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County for their continued support and the transformational work we can do when we work together!