YMCA is Big Happy Family for Holbrooks

Amber Holbrook is now in her 10th year of working at the YMCA, and the joy that she receives from her job is part of the reason why four of her siblings have now joined her on the YMCA staff team.

Amber, 26; Daniel, 23; Caleb, 22; Carly, 19; and Christian, 16 all enjoy their roles at the Orthman Community YMCA, where it’s one big happy family for the Holbrooks!

“I think the Holbrook family has gravitated to the YMCA because of the friendly people and the values it upholds,” Amber said. “The YMCA is a place that puts Christian principles into practice in its programs, and that is something that we value as a faith-based family.”

Amber is the YMCA Program Director and started her career at the Orthman Community YMCA when she was in high school in 2012.

“I wanted to work at the YMCA because I needed a part-time job while in high school,” she said. “I knew a couple of people who already worked there, and they told me it was a great environment to work in.”

She enjoys being able to connect with people of all age groups in the community at the YMCA, and she said it has been fun to see her younger siblings join the team over the years.

“I love my family so being able to work alongside them is great,” she said. “It has been a lot of fun to work closely with Daniel as the program team to plan and run most of the YMCA programs and sports.”

The Holbrook family includes six children. The oldest, Shelby, who is 28 and lives in Omaha, is the only Holbrook child who hasn’t worked at the Y.

Carly Holbrook, 19, has worked at the YMCA since 2017 in a variety of roles, including Building Monitor, Front Desk, Snack Shack, and Child Watch Associate.

“When I turned 16, I didn’t even have another thought about where I wanted to work,” Carly said. “It’s just always been the Y! My older sister, Amber, worked here in high school, and I remember her telling me about how much she loved it.”

Carly has learned many valuable skills through her work at the YMCA, including becoming a lifeguard and CPR and swim-lesson certified.

“I’ve gotten the opportunity to help with a daycare, youth weight training, Halloween parties, outdoor camps, and so much more,” Carly said. “Having so many great coworkers, managers, and members at the Y makes working here great. Working at the Y has given me confidence in my abilities to lead, communicate, and problem solve.”

Since Amber and Daniel don’t live at home anymore, she enjoys seeing them at the YMCA regularly.

“I like seeing all my siblings’ names on the schedule,” she said. “It gives me a sense of pride to see the Holbrooks holding down the fort.”

Daniel, 23, is the YMCA’s full-time Sports Director, a job he has had for about a year.

“When I was offered the opportunity to work at the Y, I knew that it was right in line with what I had studied at UNK (Health & Physical Education, K-12),” he said. “I also love how connected the YMCA is with the community. The people that I knew I would be working with was also a huge pull for me to join the team!”

Daniel said what he most enjoys about his job is “knowing that I have a direct influence in the development of the youth in our community. And that goes way beyond just physical development! We truly do try to reach, and offer, every aspect of what a child and a family may need.”

The YMCA’s core values of caring, honest, respect and responsibility, along with the YMCA’s mission to put Christian principles into practice are right in line with the Holbrook family values, Daniel said.

“I know that the character and work ethic of all of my siblings is great, which is what makes it so enjoyable to work alongside them,” he said. “They all add value to the YMCA!”

Christian Holbrook, 16, is the youngest in the Holbrook family and has worked at the YMCA for nine months as a building monitor.

“Being the youngest, all the other siblings moved out, so I never get to see them,” Christian said. “So, seeing them while I’m at work is always nice.”

Caleb Holbrook, 22, is the newest Holbrook sibling to join the team. He is a building monitor and front desk associate and started work at the YMCA in July.

“I knew it would be a great working environment because my siblings told me,” he said.

All of the Holbrook siblings have said the YMCA has impacted their lives for the better, especially Amber.

“The Y has had a huge impact on my life over the last 9 years,” she said. “It has helped me physically, mentally, and relationally become a better person. The YMCA is more than a building to me, it is like family!”

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