Stories from Staff: Finding Purpose Through the Y

Finding My Y: My First Job in the USA

By Kirti Sharma, Administrator, Human Resources

When I first joined the YMCA of Greater Seattle, I thought I was simply stepping into another role in Human Resources (HR), just in an unknown country. What I didn’t expect was that I would find something deeper — a sense of community, resilience, and purpose that has shaped me both personally and professionally.

The YMCA is not just a workplace; it is a movement. It is about people, their stories, their challenges, and the way they come together to build something larger than themselves. I realized this quickly, working in Employee Relations as an internal investigator. 

Every case I touch is not just a “file” or a “process,” it is a person — someone navigating a tough time, someone needing a safe space, someone who deserves fairness and compassion.

I’ve always believed that HR is about balancing empathy with accountability, and the Y gave me the space to live that belief. At the Y, I am not just supporting employees; I am supporting changemakers, camp leaders, youth mentors, and program staff who are directly shaping lives in our community. To me, that connection makes every late night, every challenging case, and every difficult conversation worth it.

There are times when the work is heavy. Employee relations can feel like carrying the invisible weight of the untold stories. But the Y culture reminds me not only to carry these stories but to honor them. 

Every day, I can see how much difference it makes when an employee feels truly heard, when a manager feels supported, and when fairness isn’t just a value written in a policy but an action lived daily.

And somewhere along this journey, I have found myself changing too. The Y taught me strength, kindness, and resilience — the very values I want to live and pass on in my personal life. It has taught me that no matter what role I hold in HR, the impact is never just about compliance; it’s about people and their ability to thrive.

So, when I think about “Finding My Y,” I realize it’s more than a career milestone. It’s finding a place where work feels aligned with my heart. It’s finding a team that inspires me, and an organization that reminds me every day why I chose this profession.

The Y is more than my workplace — it's my home, thousands of miles away from home.

Note: The Stories from Staff series is shared in the unedited voice of YMCA of Greater Seattle staff. They reflect personal experiences and perspectives, and do not necessarily represent the views or official positions of the YMCA of Greater Seattle.