As we prepare to join the nation in celebrating Veterans Day on November 11, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA is proud to honor those who have served our country by sharing their stories. Today we shine the spotlight on Village of Shorewood YMCA Advisory Council member and Army veteran Tiffany Allen-Smith. You can learn more about her in the Q&A below:
Q: Why did you join the armed forces and can you describe your service experience?
I grew up in the inner city, west side of Chicago. I did not have a lot of resources or support. I went to college out of state and, though I had scholarships, I couldn’t afford everything else. I came back home and was devastated. I needed to do something radically different. When I joined the military I was 20. It changed the rest of my life. I ended up serving 15 years in the Army from 2001-2015, working as a chief warrant officer focused on the supply chain and logistics.
Q: What life lessons did you learn from your time in the service?
When you grow up in the inner city you don’t always see what’s going on in the rest of the world. It gave me exposure to other cultures, other people, other places, other things. I was blown away. The second thing that it gave me was confidence in myself. It made me desire more for myself and gave me the confidence to believe I could attain more. It wasn’t just a dream.
Q: Did the Y have an impact on your military career?
Yes. In fact, when I was preparing to go into the military I needed a consistent place to train to build up my endurance to pass the physical tests. I went to the Y in Humboldt Park and, though I didn’t have the income, they let me train on the indoor track. That moment is what keeps me coming back to the Y. I feel like if I had not been prepared to join, I wouldn’t have done it.
Q. Why do you feel a commitment to volunteerism at an organization like the YMCA?
I think that representation and diversity matters. Just because we’re in the suburbs does not mean that everyone has the means to afford everything. People need to know that there is someone out there that can relate to their circumstances and that those circumstances won’t define them. I’m grateful for institutions that see people that are trying to accomplish something, and don’t turn them away because they don’t have the means to pay.
Q: How would you describe the Y as a community environment?
It is transformational. Whether it be through fitness, sports, socialization, or any number of areas, it can transform someone’s life. I see that when I drop off my son to play basketball with other kids. I see the potential to shape him, to give him the opportunity to do something great, and I want the Y to have a part in that. And overall I feel comfortable here. There are so many servant leaders who get behind the Y and I see myself in them. I feel like I’m a part of a village that consists of people like me. I love the leadership and I love the direction the Y is going.
Q: How can members of the Y community help support veterans?
While there are so many stigmas with veterans, we’re still people. So don’t be afraid to say hi. Just give grace because you don’t know what they have been through. They may have seen things trying to serve and protect this country that everyday people do not see. And we know there are veterans out there struggling to buy groceries, struggling to stay active because they have disabilities, so don’t be afraid to help local charitable organizations if you have the means to pledge your support.
On behalf of the YMCA, we would like to thank Tiffany for her service to our country and contributions to the YMCA community.
