Hope In Action

Our Values Devotion this week is all about hope—and what it looks like in real life.

A while back, a young person called Jay (not his real name), lived with us in one of our supported housing projects. For a long time, he struggled to see a way forward. He had a clear goal—to complete his plumbing training—but the final step felt out of reach financially. He couldn’t afford the course fees. Hope was hard to hold onto.

Over time, through consistent support, small steps, and growing confidence, things began to shift. He started saving again, engaged well with staff, and eventually moved on into his own place.

Recently, he popped back to visit—and he was beaming. He’s now saved enough, been accepted onto the final part of his course, and is working towards becoming fully qualified. He’s planning his driving test, revising for exams, and even talking about future job opportunities.

It was one of those moments where you can see it clearly: hope has come alive.

It reminded me of Proverbs 23:18:
There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

And it made me think – this is what we get to be part of every day at YMCA. Creating spaces where people can rediscover hope and begin to believe again.

So today, take a moment to think of your own “Jay.”

A person or story where you’ve seen hope begin to grow, however small. Hold onto those stories. They really matter. They remind us why we do what we do, and that our values aren’t just words, but something deeply transformational when lived out. I’m praying God uses you to bring hope to others today, whatever role you play.