looks a lot different from before , with masks on and people six feet apart , she says it ’ s still giving people necessary benefits . “ It ’ s important to be around like minded people who desperately want to be healthy . I think it ’ s important to feel a part of something . It ’ s definitely what drives my staff and what drives me .”

Nicolette says the pandemic has even reshaped her own relationship to her health . “ You can kind of take your body for granted . But when you need it and it ’ s called upon you ’ re going to need healthy lungs and body , even if you just catch the flu .”

She says she and her three kids have all taken on working out and eating healthier .

She knows that the community has anxiety about the fate and future of their beloved facilities and programs , but she assures , “ The Y is here to stay .”

And though nobody knows what will happen next , Nicolette says that what gets her up every day is the thought , “ Who ’ s going to need me today ? And then I say to myself , put me in the right place at the right time for the person who needs me the most . That ’ s my wish every day , and what I ’ m most called here to do .”

TOP PHOTO : Front Row ( l-r ): Lovedeep Shahota , Yvonne Beltran , Toni Bowles , Debbie Sanchez , Cathy Katavich , Angela Reinert , Casino Fajardo , Jessica Redfield , Andrea Rathi , Leo Khooshabeh . Top Row ( l-r ): Enrique Diaz , Andrea Nicolette , Arpindar Kaur , Mike Sanchez , Karen Hill , Debbie Vasquez , Laura Sellheim , Shelley Kiss , Mary Hoshiko Haughey

GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN WINTER 2021 gmhtoday . com

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