Five Generations, One YMCA: Meet Nana’s Family

At the YMCA of Greater Louisville, family isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we see lived out every single day. Few stories bring this to life better than the example of Nana’s family, where five generations come together under one roof at the Y. 

Nana’s Family

“I have three great great grandchildren. Cambrie, Camden and Caylie,” shared Mary, lovingly known as Nana. “Jeremiah is my great grandson, Christina is my granddaughter, Mary is my daughter, and I’m Nana. I’m 88 years old and I belong to the Y.”

Nana’s daughter, Mary, works at the Y part-time in retirement, while her granddaughter Christina is also on staff part-time. Christina’s son Jeremiah is a regular gym member, and his children—Caylie and Camden—are active in youth programs. For this family, the Y truly is their second home.

Finding Belonging at the Y 

For many years, Nana was the caregiver of the family—watching over her grandchildren and even great-grandchildren, always giving of herself to others. And now, the YMCA has given her something new: a community of her own.

“I started bringing Nana to the Southeast Family YMCA about three years ago,” Mary recalled. “After physical therapy, we started coming to the Y and working on the machines, and then we were introduced to the Forever Fit class. We’ve been doing the class on Tuesdays and Thursdays ever since. I feel like it has given her a new purpose and feeling of belonging. It’s wonderful.”

Christina remembered the first time she joined Nana and Mary at the Y for a Zumba class. “Nana was in the wheelchair, and we were pushing her around the class,” she laughed. “And later on, I joined for some of the Forever Fit classes. I get a little emotional thinking about it because it was really great seeing her have these friends, people that care about her. She spent her whole life really giving to our family, so it’s just great to see her finding her people.”

For Nana, having this community at the Y means doing what she can and not having to do it alone. “When you get older, you can’t do as much, and what you can do, you enjoy with other people,” she said. “It gives you a whole different outlook than sitting in the house all the time. If anybody wants to feel like they belong someplace, they need to come to the Y.”

A Place for the Kids

The youngest generation in Nana’s family is thriving too. Camden, age three, is enrolled in Early Learning Readiness (ELR), and Caylie, age eight, plays in youth sports and attends summer camp.

When asked how the YMCA has helped support his family, Jeremiah summed it up simply: “The Y gives us a foundation to come together as a family. From my kids in youth programs, to me using the gym, to my mom, grandma, and Nana—it’s been nothing shy of a second family to us. We definitely appreciate the YMCA.”

The YMCA: For Every Family

The YMCA is where all generations find connection, belonging, and joy. For Nana, it’s a renewed sense of purpose. For Mary and Christina, it’s giving back. For Jeremiah, it’s a place of support. And for Caylie, Camden, and Cambrie, it’s where lifelong memories are made.

For every age. For every stage. For every family—the Y is here.

Watch the Story of Nana's Family Come to Life