Cindy Berchem, Executive Director for the La Porte County Family YMCA, is pleased to announce that Barbara (Bobbi) Petru has returned to her YMCA “roots” and will be the Director of the Michigan City initiatives and Long Beach branches of the La Porte County Family YMCA.
“Bobbi has been an advocate for YMCAs her entire life and will be a perfect fit for the position. She will be overseeing all of the programming in Michigan City and Long Beach, including our Pre-School Educare in the Michigan City Area Schools, the MCAS grade school sports and the Michigan City basketball leagues as well as the future development of both branches. Bobbi’s background in opening and developing YMCAs during her career will be a tremendous asset as we continue to develop Michigan City initiatives and the Long Beach branches” stated Berchem.
Petru’s “Roots” with the YMCA go back to her childhood Bobbi’s Y story began in Saginaw, Michigan at the very young age of 7 when she learned how to swim at the Y. No sooner than she discovered the water than she wanted to learn to swim. She listened to her insightful instructor, accepted his teachings and was inspired to want to be an instructor herself.
At age 16, she became a certified lifeguard and started working part time at the Young Women's Christian Association in Traverse City. Life passed in “laps” and Petru continued her journey toward a career with the YMCA, earning her Bachelors of Science in Education at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, her Michigan Teaching Assistant License from Southern Illinois University and certification through the Red Cross as a Water Safety Instructor.
"Knowing how to swim is an enjoyable and potentially a life-saving skill." Petru stated.
Broadening her passion and commitment to the community, Petru spent a lot of her time opening, directing and promoting YMCAs in Northern Michigan and Chicago, Illinois after college. Her most impressive project include opening and developing YMCAs in Chicago, Illinois. The South Suburban YMCA had a division in Metropolitan Chicago which used to be considered the world’s largest YMCA Association. Petru supervised three workout centers, four outdoor pools and 145 part time employees. She also chaired the Aquatics Committee of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.
To add to the membership benefits, Petru forged ahead without hesitation, developed and managed programs of the YMCA at Governors State University. She directed and supervised the multi-million dollar facility complete with Olympic swimming pool, a large six-basket gymnasium, delightful mini gym, a handball/racquetball court, color coordinated locker rooms and universal weight training equipment. Both photos are representations of what Petru had completed for the South Suburban families.
"My favorite part of my position at the Y was always the childrens’ experience in the pool. I enjoyed being a part of a child's life, watching them grow from crying because they were scared of the pool to crying because they didn't want mom to pull them out of the pool”, shared Petru.
Petru had been associated with the American Red Cross since 2003 and since their November announcement of the merger with the Northwest Indiana Chapter of the American Red Cross, Petru has moved forward in committing her time and efforts to the Y.
"I enjoy helping people. I maximized the Red Cross presence in the La Porte County community by being a part of the community. I attended meetings, hosted fundraisers, special events, wrote grants...I became a team player and focused on the goal to meet the needs of the community. I intend to do the same and will be an active part of the Michigan City Area. I look forward to working as a key member of the leadership team of the La Porte County Family YMCA." said Petru.