Savannah Olivarez
TBS Contributing Writer
It’s more than just the lyrics to a 1970s pop music song by the group Village People, the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) is a family place to go and have fun according to its managers and members. One of the newest YMCA locations in the city of San Antonio can be found at 5538 Walzem Road.
Teenagers and young people can go to the YMCA to get fit and help their community with special projects. The organization has been a source of global outreach since it started 160 years ago.
“I love the YMCA. The thing I love the most about it is the people I’m with there. I help a lot of people out and have a family at the YMCA,” Abel Alcantar, Churchill High School junior, said.
Though there was a delay in the opening of the Walzem Road location, the YMCA is now available for community members to join.
Lila Lee, a sophomore at Roosevelt, is excited about the YMCA opening.
“I’m already signed up, but I really want to be a bigger part of the community by helping people there,” Lee said.
The YMCA emphasizes attention to physical, mental, and spiritual health. There are opportunities for employment and volunteering at the YMCA as well. It features swimming, basketball, a weight room, treadmills, and other fitness machines.
Despite some of the advantages that the YMCA offers, not everyone plans to be a member.
“I don’t want to join the YMCA because it costs a lot of money. I understand they’ll do work out payments, but I have my job and school. I would be paying money for nothing because I’d be barely going with my schedule,” Alexis Martinez, freshman, said.
Students and community members who have the time and are interested in joining the YMCA can call 210-656-5777 for up-to-date information on membership fees and hours of operation.
