By Anna Harris, originally published by WCSC Live 5 News on April 24, 2025
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) – South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette says the YMCA has played a crucial role in her work and personal life, which led her to take a trip to Summerville’s YMCA on Thursday.
She says the YMCA is a huge help to young people looking to get a job, especially those in high school, and helps make community connections stronger, like at The Ponds in Summerville.
Evette visited one of the three YMCA locations in Summerville to learn more about their programs. In the past, she says she’s visited a location in Florence, Myrtle Beach and even the national organization in Washington, D.C.
In the Lowcountry, Evette has worked with the Y to bring a portable pool to communities like Walterboro and St. George over the past few years. And she says the programs the Y offers are important to the youth as they allow them to learn soft skills.
“School is going to be coming to an end, and parents need to know what they can do with their children during the day,” Evette said. “A safe place, a learning place, a place their kids will have fun and want to come every day. And the Y fills that gap also.”
Plus, she says the Y benefits seniors as they’re able to find new friends and keep up with their social life.
And at The Ponds’ YMCA, a new “Y on the Fly” bus is taking those kinds of programs and bringing them on the go. This new addition came from a $50,000 donation from Boeing.
Evette says anyone with this access is able to succeed.
“Ronald Reagan had his first job as a lifeguard here with the Y,” Evette said. “Walt Disney lived at the Y while he was designing and creating some of his most iconic characters. And so, the Y has a long-standing reputation of being a staple in every community. And so, it’s important to let people know the resources they have right here under this roof.”
Evette says youth and government are headed by the Y. So, it’s important for the younger generation to get involved in government and learn how to vote.
And although she has not officially filed, Evette did mention she is still strongly considering running for governor.
Click here to learn more about the YMCA at The Ponds and to get involved with their programs.