Take That Good Feeling Home

After Judy Muro graduated from UCLA, she started working out again at the Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA. She didn't expect her spinning classes to lead to anything besides better health. Gradually however, her studio cycling teacher Ruben Corona became a friend and mentor. He encouraged her to pursue a graduate degree in social work and wrote letters of recommendation. She's entering her first year at USC now.

Judy still takes cycling classes, of course — she even started teaching a Saturday class as a volunteer. She's also deeply involved in the volunteer committee. Even outside the YMCA, it affects her life. She has used the YMCA as a case study organization in her research papers, and Ruben helped her win a volunteer grant for completing 100 hours of service there. "I never thought that I would gain so much from what I essentially thought would be a gym," she says. "But after a connection was established with the people, it completely transformed. I found a real community, friendship, and people who supported my goals."