When Anaid first stepped into the Mid Valley Family YMCA as a young girl, it was for something fun, active, and familiar. What she didn’t know then was that the Y would grow with her, opening doors to creativity, friendship, and a future she hadn’t yet imagined.
“When I was little, I went to the Y dance classes, and I loved them,” Anaid said.
But it was years later when she returned to the Y with her mom for a casual swim that turned out to be the turning point. “After we swam, we were in the lobby when Nathan Godinez, the Teen Director, came up to greet us. He was very friendly and welcoming. He suggested I sign up for the STEM classes, which offered a lot of digital media and creative classes that seemed so fun!”
Anaid said yes—and from that moment, her Y journey took on new meaning.
Through the Y’s Teen Programs, Anaid found her people: teens who shared her interests, passions, and hopes. She began volunteering and participating in more programs, deepening her connection to the Y and to herself.
But it was the Youth Institute that truly sparked something bigger.
“I joined the Youth Institute last summer, and it was so much fun—that’s why I joined again this summer of 2025,” she shared. “All of the Y’s teen programs are so impactful, and the group of teens I’m a part of—we all feel like a family.”
The Youth Institute is a year-round digital media program with a summer intensive that helps teens like Anaid build technical skills and creative confidence. Participants work in production teams to create original magazines and short films about topics they care about—everything from mental health and identity to culture, community, and dreams for the future.
For many students, it’s the first time they’ve used tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Final Cut Pro, and GarageBand. For all, it’s a chance to learn by doing—collaborating, experimenting, and producing work that reflects who they are.
Anaid jumped into the creative process, finding joy not just in the tools but in the teamwork and trust that comes with creating something meaningful together.
“We support each other, we learn from each other, and we care,” she said.
Beyond media, the Youth Institute also introduces teens to what’s next—college tours, career panels, and mentorship from Y staff and volunteers who share their own experiences with higher education and creative careers. The goal isn’t just skill-building. It’s vision-building. And for Anaid, it’s working.
From a dance class to digital media production, Anaid’s story shows exactly what the Y stands for: helping young people become confident, curious, and compassionate leaders—ready for whatever comes next.
Learn more about how programs like the Youth Institute are transforming teen lives at the Y today.