Welcome to Mission Moment, a series from CEO Amy Vendt where she highlights moments from around the Bath Area Family YMCA that exemplify our association’s commitment to our mission of promoting the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
As I spend time talking with members of our YMCA community, I’m continually struck by the resilience and perseverance I see every day. That is especially true for our friends living with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder that can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life—causing tremors, muscle rigidity, slowed movement, loss of smell, and even changes in voice. These challenges can be overwhelming, not just physically, but emotionally and socially as well.
But at our Landing YMCA branch in Brunswick, something powerful is happening.
Recognizing these challenges, our team has built a network of programs designed not just to support individuals living with Parkinson’s—but to help them thrive. Each week, participants gather for Exercise with Parkinson’s classes, focusing on “Big and Loud” movements that help improve mobility and confidence. Monthly support groups create space for connection—both for those living with the disease and for the caregivers who walk alongside them every day. There are also quarterly Practical Parkinson’s events and weekly social gatherings—because sometimes, the most important medicine is simply being together.
Sometimes, it looks like a game of ping pong. Thanks to a recent donation, participants now have a new way to engage their bodies and minds—improving balance, coordination, concentration, and motor skills—all while sharing laughter and joy.
And then there’s Rock Steady Boxing.
In partnership with MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital, the Landing hosts the only Rock Steady Boxing program in the area—a nationally recognized program using boxing techniques to build strength, balance, agility, and confidence. For many, it’s been life-changing. As one participant, John, shared, “Rock Steady Boxing has helped me feel stronger and more in control of my body.” And Sam said it best: “This program has given me strength, confidence, and a community that truly understands what I’m going through.”
That word—community—is at the heart of everything we do.
Because at the YMCA, it’s never just about exercise. It’s about showing up for one another. It’s about creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered. It’s about turning challenges into connection—and isolation into belonging. I am incredibly proud that our YMCA serves more than 80 individuals through these Parkinson’s programs, and deeply grateful to everyone—staff, partners, donors, and volunteers—who make this work possible.
Because what’s happening at the Landing Y isn’t just improving lives. It’s building hope.
-Amy
Amy Vendt
Chief Executive Officer
