Nicki Buckingham, a lifelong resident of Gary, has been working at the YMCA of Portage Township for a decade. She saw that they were hiring, and she wanted to make a difference in the community.
“I just knew that they were a community center,” said Buckingham. “I knew that they were hiring for the childcare department, and I love the children. I said, ‘I'm going to go and make a difference.’”
Buckingham came to the YMCA because her cousin was there and they were hiring in the childcare department. They hired her and she was later pulled to work in membership.
“I've been in the membership department for two and a half years,” said Buckingham. “I just became the membership team lead in January.”
She is the membership coordinator where she addresses membership needs while assisting other departments.
“Not only am I the membership coordinator where I help everyone with their membership needs but I also hear all the stories,” Buckingham said. “We do all the registrations and sign ups. I also watch over our ability monitors and our gym monitors. I help keep the building safe. I also help any other department who is in need.”
For Buckingham, it is the connections that she gets to make that brings it all together. It is also an opportunity to help promote the YMCA’s purpose to strengthen the community.
“I love to make connections, and we are connecting our purpose to the community,” said Buckingham. “We are helping keep the community safe and healthy. We connect so much of our community to our purpose and the community’s needs, whether it's homelessness or a hot meal. I love connecting what we do and the reason why we are here for the community.”
She is also motivated by the opportunity to make a difference.
“What motivates me is making a difference,” said Buckingham. “I know I'm going to come here and I am going to make someone smile. I know I am going to say hello to someone who may not have anyone at home to say hello to. I just love seeing people be happy. I love my job. I love giving good customer service.”
If she could give her younger self advice, it would be to just allow life to happen.
“What that means is not to be so hard on myself,” said Buckingham. “It is to allow what is meant for me to happen and to just learn to roll with the punches. Sometimes, we try to interfere with obstacles that are meant to build us up. You don't have control over that; you just have to roll with it and let it happen.”
Outside of work, Buckingham loves the beach and spending time with her family.
“My hobby is family time. I have three boys and they are 17, 13 and 9. I just love spending time with my family, my parents, and my grandparents. I love going for long walks. I love going to the beach. I love being outside. Summer is my favorite season, and I'm all about being outside in the sun.”