Stephanie's Why

By Lucy Berres

In February 2026, Stephanie Williams knew she needed help. A single mother of two, she had spent years working hard to provide for her children, Evolet, 12, and Rick, 7, while balancing the demands of work and family. But after severe winter storms swept across North Carolina in January and February, disrupting communities for weeks, the financial pressure she had been managing for years became increasingly difficult to overcome.

Working for FedEx, Stephanie's income depended on being able to get on the road and complete her routes. When weather conditions prevented her from working, she didn't get paid. School closures, delayed starts and sick days created additional childcare challenges, making it even harder to maintain a consistent work schedule.

In February, she began looking to the Yadkin Family YMCA for help. She knew the YMCA was a place that supported families and wanted to explore what resources might be available to help her continue working while ensuring her children were cared for.

But finding a solution wasn't immediate.

For the next couple of months, Stephanie continued doing everything she could to make things work. She explored childcare options, spoke with YMCA staff and tried to navigate the financial assistance process. At the same time, she was exhausting her own financial resources, taking out personal loans and maxing out credit cards to keep up with everyday expenses.

She was determined to find a way to provide for her children without having to sacrifice her ability to work.

"I was at a breaking point," Stephanie recalled. "I didn't know what to do."

Eventually, the challenges became too much to manage alongside a full-time schedule. Stephanie made the difficult decision to step down from her full-time position at FedEx to a part-time role, leaving her without guaranteed hours or income.

Then, in April, things began to change.

Rebecca Bonagura joined the Yadkin Family YMCA as its Director of Member Experience, and Stephanie finally connected with someone who could help her move forward. She explained her circumstances, shared the necessary paperwork and worked with Rebecca to determine what assistance might be available.

After months of searching for a solution, Stephanie finally had someone in her corner helping her navigate the process.

"I introduced myself, and I was like, 'Hey, you're the person I need to talk to,' because I really was desperate to get help," she said.

By May, Stephanie received the news she had been hoping for: her children qualified for financial assistance to attend the YMCA's Summer Day Camp.

Her reaction was immediate.

"I was like, 'What? Really?'"

For Stephanie, the assistance meant much more than help paying for summer childcare. It meant she could continue working, begin pursuing her education and know that Evolet and Rick were spending their days in a safe, supportive environment.

During the summer, she was able to work her FedEx routes in the morning, attend school online, and pick up her children at the end of the day. Meanwhile, Evolet and Rick enjoyed a summer filled with activities, crafts, friendships and opportunities to learn and grow. They also received breakfast, snacks and lunch through the program.

The financial relief gave Stephanie something she hadn't experienced in months: room to breathe.

"It was just so much weight off my shoulders," she said. "I was able to get my work done. There were days where I would just work the whole time, run the whole route, come get them. And then I started balancing myself and doing better."

The assistance was made possible through the YMCA's Annual Impact Fund, which helps ensure individuals and families can access YMCA programs and services regardless of their financial circumstances.

Today, Stephanie is still balancing work, school and motherhood. She continues working part-time at FedEx, navigating the unpredictable schedules and unexpected situations that come with raising two children. But her family's connection to the Y has become an important part of their routine.

Stephanie and her children regularly take advantage of their YMCA membership, using the facility to stay active and spend time together. Both children have participated in YMCA swimming lessons and have progressed to swimming in the deep end. Stephanie also continues working toward her personal health and fitness goals.

For her, the YMCA has always been about more than exercise.

Before moving to Yadkin County, Stephanie regularly attended the William G. White, Jr. YMCA, where she developed a love for fitness and made the Y part of her lifestyle. Now, she hopes to pass that appreciation along to her children.

"I want them to stay coming in and maybe their kids will like it too," she said. "I want them to be healthy."

She also credits the welcoming environment and relationships she's developed at the Y with making it a place where her family feels at home. And she hasn't forgotten the people who helped her when she needed it most.

When asked what she would tell someone considering making a donation to the YMCA, Stephanie doesn't hesitate.

"If there's grants or if there's people who could donate, people who could give, please give. Just do it, because it's for growth, it's for the well-being of the kids."

For Stephanie, the impact of that generosity is personal. She spent months looking for a way to keep her family moving forward, determined to continue working and providing for her children. When she finally found the support she needed, it gave her the opportunity to catch her breath and keep going.

"Out of all the times that I've tried, you know, like, something's got to give, and the YMCA did it," she said.

Sometimes, making a difference doesn't mean changing someone's entire life overnight. Sometimes, it means standing beside someone who refuses to give up and giving them the support they need to take the next step.