Finding Strength and Resilience at Your Local YMCA Determined to build healthy habits for herself and her family, Jessica Simmons didn’t know the kind of lasting change membership at the YMCA would bring.
Simmons and her husband were in the early stages of recovering from addiction. W
hen Jessica Simmons overcame one addiction, she replaced it with another– food. In May 2018,
Jessica strength-trains at the Earlywine Park YMCA four days a week. She swims, bikes, and runs two to three times a week. She even teaches group exercise classes. Jessica and her husband are over five years sober and remain focused on creating healthy habits for their family through YMCA programs. She believes if it wasn’t for the financial assistance that allowed her to have a membership, she may not still be in recovery. Through her Y membership she found motivation, strength and community. The YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City offers financial aid to anyone interested in being a member, despite their inability to pay. In 2022, they supported members and participants through
After completing in-patient treatment and being reunited with her children, Simmons and her husband were determined to create healthier habits for themselves and their children. With the help of YMCA’s financial assistance model, Simmons and her family were able to join the Earlywine Park YMCA. What began as the goals to continue her sobriety medication free, and to lose weight for her wedding became life changing. Jessica and her family took advantage of every
herself embraced in a community of supporters from all walks of life with a passion for marathons, cycling and even triathlons. She ran her first 5k at Earlwine Park on Christmas Eve, 2019. “I am so blessed by the community I found at the Y,” says Jessica. “They kept me moving towards greater and greater goals.” As her love for running grew in 2020, a friend from the Y gifted Jessica her first road bike. Running in marathons quickly became competing in duathlons and triathlons.
program they could. She attended every group exercise classes she could, using child watch for her children, and making friends along the way. “I never considered myself an athlete
at all” says Simmons. “It was amazing to find out that I have these talents and gifts that I hadn’t been using.” During her weight loss journey, Simmons found
of financial assistance. $ 2,784,116
Learn more about the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City. Visit ymcaokc.org/membership
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online