Meet Jenn Egan, a dedicated monthly donor and a valued team member of our YMCA team whose leadership and passion for service have been pivotal in driving the community forward.
As the full-time Customer Service Representative at Shawnessy YMCA, Jenn has a profound belief in the power of community. In 2016, she began her journey as a volunteer swim instructor, progressing to a formal role in 2017, followed by a transition to a full-time position as a customer service representative.
For Jenn, meeting with everyone who walks through our doors at the YMCA brings her joy.
“I love talking to people and being able to help solve people's problems,” she explains. “I intentionally want to remember names, so they feel like they had a great experience and want to come back.”
Jenn looks forward to Fridays, where she greets the same group of youth who have been coming week after week for the Calgary Flames Grade 6 program Flames Friday drop-in day. She recalls their surprised expressions when she calls them by name, making them feel remembered, and excited to come back.
“The reason I am here today is because I want to help people.”
Jenn loves taking the time to chat with people who come in, going so far as to drop in to the different programs offered at the YMCA to spread the word that we are more than just a gym.
The importance of these programs has a deeper meaning for Jenn. As a single mother of two, the YMCA has provided her family the financial support to participate and give her son (10) and daughter (12) the opportunity to learn life skills such as swimming, build friendships at day camps, and provide a safe place where a kid can be a kid.
Jenn recounts a transformative experience during her journey of raising two children, emphasizing the pivotal support she received from her team at Shawnessy YMCA. When enrolling her children in a day camp, she found immense comfort in the team's flexibility, allowing her to attend work without concern. This decision provided her children with a meaningful and affordable experience, resulting in cherished friendships and strong connections.
Jenn tells her story because of the impact her experience has had on her family. “It feels more honest and genuine when I share my experience and the impact that YMCA programs have had on my life.”
As a committed monthly donor, Jenn appreciates the role she has in setting up financial assistance memberships and providing an opportunity to participate: “You can always find a way to budget to give, big or small. I like to donate when I can because it helped me so much that I want to help somebody else in return.”
Donations form the backbone of financial stability at the YMCA, empowering us to make a lasting difference in the lives of those who need it. Each donation, no matter the size, contributes significantly to the collective effort of creating positive change and igniting the potential in our communities.
Jenn's passion for the community and helping others exemplifies the best of humanity—a shining example of what it means to embrace kindness, empathy, and a commitment to making a positive difference in the world. You can help make an impact in your community today by becoming a monthly donor. Learn more: #TeamUP