Tag: mission moment

Mission Moments: Ariyah’s Why

Posted on by Amber Fox

At the Y, Ariyah found the security and the support that gave her game-changing confidence.

Her mom found peace of mind and watched her daughter thrive. 

Ariyah confident in school with the help of the YMCA

When Ariyah made the big leap from Pre-K to Kindergarten, her mom thought she had prepared for everything: the labeled backpack, the sparkly shoes, the proud “first day of school” picture. The only thing she wasn’t ready for was Ariyah sobbing at drop-off and refusing to let go, every single morning.

“She would cry uncontrollably, cling to me, and sometimes even try to run back out of the classroom,” her mother, Perla Santiago, remembers. “It was heartbreaking to watch her feel so overwhelmed and scared.”

For weeks, this was their morning routine: chaos, tears, and heartbreak. Kindergarten wasn’t just a new classroom—it was a big, unfamiliar world, and Ariyah felt lost in it. For her mom, it was just as painful to watch her little girl struggle so much with the transition. “As a mother, it left me feeling helpless. She wouldn’t talk about what was bothering her, and I wasn’t sure how to make things better,” Perla reflects.

Then came the YMCA of Reading & Berks County’s Before & After School Program, which turned out to be the lifeline both Ariyah and her mom needed.

Y Care staff saw more than just a nervous Kindergartener. They saw a child in need of reassurance. Rather than trying to rush her through the transition, Y staff took the time to really get to know her and to understand what she needed to feel safe and secure.

“They approached Ariyah with so much patience, care, and understanding,” her mom shares. “They paid attention to the little things—what made her feel calm, what sparked her interest, and how to gently encourage her to engage.”

While some environments push kids to “get over it,” the YMCA staff walked beside Ariyah, step by loving step. They partnered with her mom, keeping her in the loop every day. They reminded her that growth doesn’t happen on a strict schedule—it happens with support, consistency, and heart.

And slowly, everything began to change. The tears stopped. The fear eased.

The same child who once ran out of classrooms now walks into the Y with her head held high and a confident smile. “She gives me a hug and says goodbye with confidence,” her mom beams. “The transformation has been incredible.”

"She gives me a hug and says goodbye with confidence. The transformation has been incredible."

Perla Santiago, Ariyah's mom

At the Y, Ariyah didn’t just gain comfort, she gained confidence. She discovered that she was brave. That she could trust new people. That the world wasn’t so scary after all. And her mom? She finally could trade those tearful drop-offs for peace of mind, knowing that her daughter was being cared for and engaged, not just supervised.

For the YMCA of Reading & Berks County, this is what community looks like. This is what donors make possible. Your support doesn’t just keep the lights on or fund a program, it creates a safe space where kids like Ariyah can thrive and where parents like her mom can exhale.

Because of Y supporters, a little girl found her courage and a mom found her hope.

And because of the YMCA, their mornings now begin not with fear, but with smiles.Instead of just making it through the day, Ariyah can be fully engaged in learning and making moments with friends.

Want to be part of stories like Ariyah’s?

Help us continue providing safe, nurturing spaces for every child who walks through our doors. Donate today and be the reason another child smiles tomorrow.

Reading YMCA Names New Director of Social Services and Director of Housing

Posted on by Ashley Shannon

Please join the Reading YMCA in congratulating both Ryan Herrera and Gena Pina-Garcia as they transition into their NEW roles in the Social Services Housing Division. 

Ryan has been promoted into the position of Executive Director of Social Services as of April 1, 2021.  Ryan began working part-time at the YMCA of Reading in 2009 as a Case Manager Assistant while finishing his degree in Psychology from Temple University. He was promoted in 2010 to oversee the County’s Second Offender DUI program and worked in that position until 2014.  In 2014, Ryan was given the opportunity to be part of the formation of Camp Joy; which at the time was a newly remodeled 20 bed transitional living facility serving males with substance use disorder that are also involved in the Berks County Criminal Justice System.  Since then, Ryan has overseen the development of Camp Joy’s Recovery Housing and its day to day operations while also working in a supervisory role as the Director of Social Services within the Housing Department at the YMCA of Reading. Ryan is a member of the Berks Opioid Coalition editorial board and is currently his final year of study at Millersville University where he is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology.

 Ryan holds multiple certifications from the Pennsylvania Certification Board including his CADC (Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor) and CRS (Certified Recovery Specialist) and was recognized for his work in the areas of addiction prevention and treatment at the 2018 Council on Chemical Abuse Yearly Conference.  

Ryan states, “I have always strived to serve anyone struggling to overcome a substance use disorder with compassion, empathy, and the inherent dignity that all human relationships are founded upon and I am very thankful for all of the opportunities that working at the YMCA has afforded me.”

Gena was promoted to the Director of Housing and Baby University effective May 1, 2021. Gena began her career at the YMCA in 2008 as a Parent Educator/Home visitor with Baby University and was then promoted into that program’s Director.  In addition, 5 years ago she was also asked to lead the Y Haven program.  After successful oversight of both programs, it was an easy decision to offer her this new overall Housing Director position. Gena holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Services with a certification in Addiction Studies, as well as an Associates in Psychology from Phoenix University.  She is also a certified parent educator through Rutgers University.

When asked what her “Y” is, Gena told us that it was “inspiring others to live their best life, encouraging those that are down, and spreading a little kindness wherever I go.”

She also wanted to share a bit of wisdom with all individuals pursuing a similar career path:  “People must connect with you before they can trust you; Always be you and never give up.”