On any given Monday, you might find Abby Hart volunteering her evening helping our High Schoolers write bills, sharpen their debate skills, or prepare for a weeklong trip to Olympia with our Sammamish Community YMCA Teen Youth & Government Program.

This is Abby’s 5th year as a Youth & Government Advisor, however, Abby’s story with the Y started long before that. Abby grew up going to Y teen programs, camps and day cares. Through all 4 years of High School Abby participated in the Youth & Government program. “Before the program, I wasn’t someone who would speak out, I let things go, but through Youth & Government I gained the confidence to respectfully voice my opinions.”

In college Abby worked as a counselor at Camp Terry, the YMCA Camp in Preston. She grew up doing community service, and after graduating college, decided to give back to a program that had given her so much. People often come to the Y for a particular activity, but stay because of the relationships they form. Abby told us a story about her first year advising, she returned to Olympia and ran into a student who cited Abby as her inspiration to run for Student “Lt. Governor”. When the girl was an 8th grader, Abby had stood out as someone who embodied civic duty, confidence and leadership. Today she carries those ideals into her work as the Recycling Coordinator for Republic Services.

We at the YMCA are grateful to have Abby as a volunteer who continues to inspire our youth.