What do all these people have in common?

n A father whose incurable cancer has left his family with staggering medical debt.

n A divorced mother who is forced to leave work to care for her special-needs child.

n A single dad with a low-paying job who is trying to raise two young boys.

n An elderly man who has suffered a severe stroke and can't afford recovery therapy.

n A young woman who is coping with diabetes but struggling with high medical expenses.

n A father who is the sole financial provider for a family of five and can't afford day care for his children.

n A senior who struggles to live off of his disability and Social Security checks and has been advised by his doctor to exercise.

n Two working parents who worry about their children becoming involved with the wrong crowd but can't afford to place them in after-school programs.

n A single mother with a minimum wage job whose only option is to have her children wait for hours outside of their school while she works because she can't afford after-school childcare.

These are all real individuals living in the city of Ventura who have been helped by the YMCA Open Doors Program. This program ensures that no one is turned away from the YMCA because of their inability to pay.

It's no secret that we currently live in tough economic times. With mass layoffs at some of the county's largest employers, a rapid increase of home foreclosures and the minimum wage far from adequate to support a family in Ventura, many people feel that swimming, exercising or putting their children in classes like ballet and tae kwon do are luxuries that they just can't afford. At the YMCA, we know that these programs are crucial elements in building a child's self-esteem, preventing childhood obesity and developing family bonds. These opportunities aren't luxuries, they're necessities.

At the YMCA, we make it our mission to ensure that everyone, regardless of income or whatever difficulties they are experiencing, is welcome and able to take advantage of all the YMCA has to offer. In order to continue our charitable work, we need the communities' help. Every year, the YMCA sets aside one month to focus on raising funds to continue our ability to offer assistance to individuals and families. Alone, the YMCA won't come close to raising the money that is needed to keep this crucial assistance program alive. That's why we're asking you to get involved in the most important event of the year at the YMCA Campaign for Youth.

Campaign for Youth is an annual, nationwide YMCA event. Campaign volunteers dedicate a month of their lives to raise money that directly supports the Open Doors program. The Open Doors program is a scholarship program for individuals, families and children in need from the Ojai, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Oxnard, Camarillo, Saticoy and Ventura areas. This year, the Ventura Family YMCA's goal is to raise $130,000. These funds will ensure continued assistance, to those in need, in our community.

Today at 6 p.m. at Foothill High School, campaigners will meet to report their progress, enjoy a free dinner and win great door prizes. We are inviting everyone from the community to attend and meet our dedicated volunteers; you'll hear testimonies of the lives we've helped, see performances from one of our many classes and enjoy a free dinner sponsored by Chipotle.

Every dollar helps and as little as $30 subsidizes one child in swim lessons or a youth program for six weeks. Campaign for Youth will end March 7 with a huge Victory Dinner Celebration at the YMCA. Please help us reach our goal by donating to the YMCA and ensuring that we are able to continue our mission driven work, providing those in need the experiences which enable individuals and their families to have a better quality of life.

To donate, please contact the YMCA nearest you, or visit http://www.ciymca.org/ventura/opportunities.html for more information. All donations are tax-deductible. From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank all of the campaigners, volunteers and donors for their continued support to the YMCA.