Then he was caught lighting matches and throwing them on the carpeted floor in the Youth Room, to impress other youth. After a meeting with his parents and our facility manager, who is also from Sri Lanka, Kabishan was suspended for three days.

When Kabishan returned, we asked him to volunteer. He was 13 years old and a little young, but with a mentor nearby, he was ready for another core value, responsibility. His transformation began immediately. Within five days, Kabishan went from a terror to a valuable staple in the West End YMCA lobby.

After several weeks at the Service Desk, Kabishan was giving tours of the building, answering questions about programs, explaining the differences between Hatha and Kundalini yoga and training other Service Desk Volunteers.

Kabishan turned 14 last December but he seems 17 or 18. He has become a shining example for all other youth volunteers older and younger than himself. Since January, Kabishan has seen very little of the YMCA, because he wants to fully concentrate on school. He explained that, as an only child, he wants to make his parents proud by doing well in school and attending University. He did, however, say we would see a lot of him this summer.