When Jill Lumbra was 7 years old she had a life-changing experience. Hospitalized the day after Christmas for the brain diseases meningitis and encephalitis, she was placed in a medically induced coma. “I don’t remember anything until I woke up a week and a half later,” said Jill. “It took two years of physical therapy re-learning how to walk and sit up straight. Fine motor skills, cognitive skills, and speech were the hardest.” When Jill finally returned to school, she faced immense academic challenges but looking back, her hospital experience also gave her a new perspective. “I wouldn’t wish this on anybody but my empathy for others grew so much.” she said.
Jill has realized her childhood dream at the Y since 2020 where she is the Y’s Before & After School On-Site Program Manager and Camp Acorn Coordinator, the Y’s summer day camp for KG – 2nd Grade. She oversees programming, students, staff, communication needs, behavioral support, camp and classroom curriculum.
Teaching is a family love: Jill’s mom has taught for almost 30 years. “My mom inspires me. She always had good connections with her students and staff. I saw how she enjoyed what she did.” Jill has an associate degree in early education and loves working with older children too. “They’re fun. I enjoy the competitiveness they have and playing those kinds of games with them. I like the conversations we have. They’re very smart. Sometimes they’re the ones teaching me things!”
Jill is extremely dedicated to her job but she makes time to watch sports on TV, especially NBA basketball. It’s a plus when this is accompanied by her favorite snack: popcorn and Diet Coke. Above all she honors her Y colleagues. “We have each other’s backs. Working at the Y has allowed me to become a better leader and I’m more confident in myself, “ said Jill. It’s no wonder that Jill’s favorite Y value is Respect. “It’s really important to respect everyone you work with and especially the kids in our programs,” she said. “I do a lot of behavioral redirection but at the end of the day, kids still want to hang out with me. I have a strong passion for what I do and to make a difference in kids’ lives.”