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Soon, droves of teens will be out of school and into summer employment. YMCAs offer meaningful employment opportunities that go beyond just earning a paycheck. Recognizing the importance of fostering character development and acquiring valuable work experience, the Y offers a dynamic environment where young adults can thrive professionally while making a positive impact on their communities, noted a YMCA news release.

“We take the development of our young staff very seriously,” asserts Seth Foster, division youth development operations director, who oversees day camp experiences for the YMCA of South Hampton Roads. “Our teenage staff members are not just employees; they are an integral part of our mission to empower youth and strengthen communities.”

“With positions ranging from camp counselors and lifeguards to membership representatives, the YMCA of South Hampton Roads is committed to providing teens with the tools they need to succeed both now and in the future,” the release continued. “While the allure of earning money over the summer is undeniable, leaders at the Y emphasize the broader benefits of their employment opportunities and consider the development of their teenage staff to be one of their most important teen programs.”

“We love seeing teens who were once campers or program participants now coming back to work for the YMCA,” Foster adds. “They are the future leaders of our organization, and we take pride in nurturing their character, expanding their knowledge, and honing their leadership skills.”

For many young adults, working at the YMCA is not just a job, it’s an invaluable learning experience that shapes their personal and professional growth. One former Y teen turned Y leader, executive director Nicole Tsetsilas, said about her experience as a teen, “Looking back, my favorite memories were during the summer. I would lifeguard and teach lessons, then stay hanging out with my friends or working out. I hope every teen gets an opportunity to experience the Y like I did.”

For more information about summer employment opportunities at the YMCA of South Hampton Roads, go to workfortheymca.org.

The YMCA of South Hampton Roads serves more than 191,000 adults and children each year across South Hampton Roads, Halifax County, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, northeastern North Carolina and the Outer Banks. Learn more at ymcashr.org.

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