01940_Spring_2020 V3--web

SPRING 2020 | 11
The Y’s goals with this new building
are lofty.
“We want to give our support to
the city,” she said, noting that with
Lynn Tech already across the street,
KIPP Academy moving onto Wheeler
Street and St. Mary’s in the middle of
an addition, “it’s going to be a pretty
happening area."
“We’re hoping that all our proximity
with each other can help turn the area
into more than just a drive-by. Hopefully
it’ll mean business for some of the
merchants and restaurants,” she said.
In fact, with the new KIPP Academy
high school next door, plus Lynn Tech
and St. Mary's in basically the same
block, Walsh, and the Y, are the prime
movers in the Lynn Education District,
which combines with local non-profits
on behalf of Lynn students. The district
sponsored a STEM fair in October, and
has other plans in the works as well,
One of the ways Walsh believes the
YMCA can contribute to that effort is to
reinforce its primary raison d’etre, which
is to serve as a charitable resource for
youth in the city.
The YMCA has extensive afterschool,
summer, and early-learning
programs. Most of the city’s youth who
avail themselves of the organization’s
services get help.
“Ninety-seven percent of the kids
who come to the Lynn Y receive some
kind of a scholarship,” said Walsh. “We
probably give away about $1 million a
year in help, and we raise all of it.”
Walsh is the mother of three teens
( Johanna, Cynthia and Francis), and she
says they’ve all played a part on how she’s
shaped what she does.
“We are a very Y-oriented family,” she
said. “And very often, if I’ve been anxious
about something we’re going to do, or
we’re thinking of doing, I’ve asked my
children. And that gives me a better read
on things.”
It’s not just children who benefit from
the YMCA. It has a healthy population
of men and women of retirement age
who are faithful to the organization, she
said.
“We create networks,” she said. “And
some of those aspects are really valuable
to people. You know, a lot of people come
here for no other reason but that they
feel valued.
“Hopefully, along the way, with
everything we do, we’re changing a ton
of lives.”
Look good
Feel good
Thank you to the
community for supporting
us for over 10 years
79 Bridge St.
Beverly, MA
978-922-1900
44 Central St.
Georgetown, MA
978-352-3114
395 Lowell St.
Wakefield, MA
781-224-1902
www.ClassicCutsMA.com