Like millions of Americans, I remember my first day of swim lessons at the YMCA. As I left my grandfather’s grip and waded into the freezing cold water, two hands gripping the tile sides of the pool, I began to cry. I felt like I would never learn to swim. But learn I did, and, although I am close to 18 now, I still consider myself a perpetual Y kid.

Through the Y’s swim programs, I found confidence in the water and discovered a lifelong, lifesaving skill. Through the Y’s youth and government program, I serve as the youth governor of Maryland and find inspiration to enter public service at every program event. Through the Y’s diabetes prevention programming, I know I’ll find hope as the son and grandson of diabetics. But the COVID-19 crisis threatens to topple the charity cornerstones of my life and our state.