MEET MR. KEITH

After ten years of faithful attendance and membership, Keith Kervin is a fixture at the YMCA of Central Virginia. Lovingly known as Mr. Keith by all, he is recognized and treasured by the entire staff and regularly texts them updates about his life and YMCA experience. For Mr. Keith, consistency and reliability are paramount to his overall health and well-being. And for the Y, Mr. Keith is family.

During the Covid lockdown, Keith could not attend YMCA classes in person due to his compromised immunity. As an Autistic adult, he struggled with this disruption in his daily routine. Feeling disconnected and disjointed, he describes this period as “boring.” After Keith received his Covid vaccine, he called the Y, filled with much enthusiasm and excitement, to set up a meeting with Y staff so they could help create a weekly plan for him to return to the Y that would accommodate his schedule.

Mr. Keith, a part-time employee of the non-profit Lynchburg Grows, is a recipient of a donor-supported scholarship awarded by the YMCA of Central Virginia to help cover the cost of his monthly dues. “I like the scholarship because it helps me come here… for me, it’s kind of expensive without it,” Keith explains.

Keith’s story is a beautiful example of the role the YMCA and its staff, volunteers, and donors play in the community. Keith depends on his participation in YMCA programs to stay healthy and active, and his relationships with the staff and volunteers form a vital part of his supportive social network.

The friendly, accepting atmosphere and the genuine interest of instructors and other staff support his well-being and happiness.