The YMCA takes the mantra of “for all” to heart. And that goes even if you’re in our walls from as far away as 5,000 miles.
Ozlem Un came to the United States from Turkey in 2012. She met her husband, Onur, here in the States, despite him also being a native of Turkey. They eventually grew a family with their three kids — Ayaz, Beren and Ceren. Ozlem and Onur decided to join the YMCA in 2023 to find programming catered to a family with three children under the age of 10.
“After coming from Turkey, it was difficult to adapt to America at first,” said Ozlem. “But now we have gotten used to it because our children were born here, they are growing up here and have become a part of this place.”
Adjusting to life in America was already difficult, but it got even more difficult due to a drastic life event. Onur, unfortunately, passed away in July of 2023, leaving the Un family to handle a devastating situation in new surroundings.
“After losing my husband, we went through a very difficult period for a year. My family and my children still feel the void of their father,” said Ozlem. “But we have to get used to it. And during this difficult time, the people around us, our friends, teachers at school, and the YMCA, have supported us a lot.”
One social worker at the kids’ school suggested they attend School’s Out Camp at the Bay View Family YMCA. Ozlem loved the idea but with the changes at home, she was unsure of how she could afford to register her kids for the programming. Thankfully the Bay View staff did their due diligence on the Un family’s behalf and found out she qualified for our Experience Scholarship, clearing the way for the kids to participate in School’s Out Camp and more.
Ozlem shared that the Bay View staff has been accommodating in many ways during her family’s time as members. She specifically noted Heather Hayes, Program Director and Camp Director at the Bay View Family YMCA, helped the Un kids get acclimated. Despite the language barrier, Ozlem has been able to communicate with the staff there via email and Google Translate.
One of Ozlem’s twins, Beren, has Type 1 diabetes, while her twin brother, Ayaz, was recently diagnosed with Autism and speaks very little English. Whether it was teaching Beren healthy food options that can help her manage her diabetes, getting Ayaz to swim in the pool each day, or helping Ceren blossom socially among her new peers, Ozlem has been thankful for the work the Bay View staff has put in to ensure the Un kids felt right at home in their new home.
“She is doing everything she can, we are very happy,” said Ozlem. “My children are very happy to be there. I have seen them being supported both mentally and spiritually. I thank everyone endlessly."
Heather says she remembers the day she first met the Un family during a School’s Out Camp in the fall of 2023. They had been connected to the YMCA through our Before & After School Program in the East Irondequoit School District; but this was their first experience in a branch, making for a new venture for the kids.
Working so closely with kids in her role at the Y, Heather took it upon herself to help the Uns adapt to an environment they had never experienced outside of school.
“I immediately met these three little cute individuals,” said Heather. “And Ozlem was just so thankful to have a place to send her kids for the day and that’s when the relationship started to blossom. They were shocked to see that inside of the walls here at Bay View was like Disney World to them.”
Heather says the kids were elated to run and tell their mother about their experience at School’s Out Camp.
The relationship that the Uns and Heather developed was about accommodating the children above all. But Heather did not look at the Uns being Turkish speaking first as a barrier.
“They weren’t barriers to us. They were just challenges that we got to overcome,” said Heather. “Which in turn, made a very successful partnership with this family. We’re at the Y; we’re able to accommodate for all."
While her kids were attending School’s Out Camp over winter break during the 2023-24 school year, Ozlem was sharing the praises she had for the Bay View staff and how thankful she was for their help. That’s when Day Camp at YMCA Camp Bay View got brought up: how could the Un kids get to go?
his time, Heather helped Ozlem qualify for Department of Human Services (DHS) grant funding to get her kids approved to go to summer camp.
“She was beyond thankful for the information. So, I then set up a time with her,” said Heather. “And we sat together in Bay View’s lobby, and she brought all of her documents, and we got it all packaged up together, and submitted it to the county, and she got approved.”
The Un kids were able to attend all 10 weeks of day camp this summer at Camp Bay View. The grant funding Ozlem receives also allows her to enroll her kids in Y programming all throughout the year.
The Un kids could not decide what their favorite part of their YMCA experience was; it’s hard picking between playing hide and seek and tag, swimming, hanging out with friends, outdoor cooking, or the Adventure Center. But Beren also knows that being at the Y is helpful for her mother’s schedule.
“We come here so our mom can go to work,” said Beren. “While she does that, we get to play in the YMCA. We have a lot of fun. I don’t have a favorite counselor because they’re all my favorite.”
That’s what has made Heather’s experience working with the Un family so worthwhile. It speaks directly to the mission of the YMCA.
"The Y is about finding people who belong in these walls,” said Heather. “And the Un family is a great example of what ‘for all’ means."
For all indeed, Heather. The Y will continue to strive to accommodate all, no matter who you are or how far you’ve come.
