YMCA bringing new programs to the Valley

WASILLA — It’s been a long 14 years, but Kerri Pittman’s vision for YMCA commitment and involvement in the community is finally coming to fruition.

Pittman, the chair for the Mat-Su YMCA, said that she's been working to bring much needed programs to the Valley, and it’s starting with with their first wave of projects beginning with Tanana Elementary School.

“The principal [Cheri Mattson] is really on board and wanting to get this going. She is working great with us. She’s an awesome principal. She really takes the time take care of her students,” Pittman said. “We’re getting an office. We’re working with many community partners to implement the before and after school programs. Working really close with Matanuska Susitna School District right now.”

Pittman is a special education teacher for the Anchorage School District. She moved to the Valley 14 years ago and she carried a seed of YMCA and the notion to make her surrounding community better for her children and the thousands of other Valley children.

Pittman established a longstanding partnership with the existing Anchorage YMCA, offering support in building programs specific to our own community.

“Despite our name, the Y is not just young people, not just for men and not just for Christians,” as stated on the Alaska YMC website.

Tanana Elementary is the first of many steps Pittman, Mat-Su YMCA and the growing list of community partners hope to take, for a better an brighter Mat-Su for all children, of all backgrounds.